August 29 - Marion Williams (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 29th are here: Charlie Parker (2019), Michael Jackson; Dinah Washington (2020), Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel (2021), Raphael George Kiesewetter (2022), and Dinah Washington (2023)

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Marion Williams (29 August 1927 – 2 July 1994) was an American gospel singer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calling

She stayed with gospel in spite of pressure to switch to popular blues tunes or the opera. – Wikipedia 

With a voice which could not be ignored,

She could have found ample reward

From secular choices

Afforded to voices, –

But she opted to sing for the Lord.

 

 

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August 28 - Ludvig Norman; Ira D. Sankey (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 28th are here: Umberto Giordano; Ivor Gurney; Léon Theremin (2019), Carolmannus Pachschmidt; Peter[von] Winter (2019), Paul Henry Lang (2021),  Umberto Giordano; Agostino Accorimboni (2022), and Albert Dietrich (2023)

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Ludvig Norman (28 August 1831 – 28 March 1885) was a Swedish composer, conductor, pianist, and music teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norman Conquest?

… he ranks among the most important Swedish symphonists of the 19th century.  – Wikipedia

Of Ludvig Norman we are told

That in the grand symphonic mold

He ranks among the very best

With which the Swedish land is blest.

Is it unfair that works like these

And other Swedish symphonies,

Of which the Swedes are justly fond,

Have never found a niche beyond

The diligent artistic hands

Employed by loyal Swedish bands?

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫   

Ira Sankey (28 August 1840 – 13 August 1908) was an American gospel singer and composer, known for his long association with Dwight L. Moody in a series of religious revival campaigns in America and Britain during the closing decades of the 19th century. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missionary Zeal

Of the baritone Ira B. Sankey

There was nothing pretentious or swanky,

He sang without rivals

At Moody’s revivals, –

A most diligent born-again Yankee.

 

 

 

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July 1 - Andraé Crouch, Hans Werner Henze (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 1st are found here: Hans Werner Henze (2019), Fred Schneider (2020), Hans Werner Henze (2021), Hans Werner Henze (2022), and Thomas A. Dorsey (2023)

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Andraé Crouch (1 July 1942 – 8 January 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not My Tribute

Perhaps you will call me a grouch

When you hear my reaction is “ouch”

If ever I’m heading

To a service or wedding

And see there’ll be music by Crouch.

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Hans Werner Henze (1 July 1926 – 27 October 2012) was an important German composer of the mid/late 20th century. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborators

I wonder if Auden

Attempted to broaden

   The literature Henze embraced,

Or did Henze tell Auden

That the path he had trodden

   Had made him the model of taste?

 

 

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July 1 - Thomas A. Dorsey (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 1st are found here: Hans Werner Henze (2019), Fred Schneider (2020), Hans Werner Henze (2021), and Hans Werner Henze (2022)

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Thomas A. Dorsey (1 July 1899 – 23 January 1993) was an American musician and composer influential in the development of early blues and 20th-century  gospel music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and Contrast

The subject of my verse today

Is Dorsey (that is), Thomas A.

We add the A. because of course he

Gets confused with Tommy Dorsey.

Thomas A., whose work belongs

Among the best-loved gospel songs,

Did his job to serve his Lord,

While Tommy Dorsey found reward

Pursuing secular endeavors,

Far from Gilead’s forevers.

In spite of names they (almost) shared,

They shouldn’t really be compared.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.]