March 1 - This Blog; Frédéric Chopin (The Musical Birthday Series, 8th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 1st are here: Dimitri Mitropoulos (2019), Frédéric Chopin (2020), Frédéric Chopin; Harry Belafonte (2021), Frédéric Chopin; Harry Belafonte; Dinah Shore (2022), Frédéric Chopin; Glenn Miller (2023), Frédéric Chopin; Harry Belafonte (2024), and This Blog (2025)

+++++++++++++++++++++++

 

The Musical Birthday Series (b. 2019), with this post this blog begins its eighth year, although there are a few gaps when I didn't write for short periods of time. I am hoping to fill these in in due course.

 

 

Anniversary Limerick 

And as we begin on year eight,

I will take the occasion to state

That this blogger will stay

At his labor each day

With his whimsical, rhythmical gait.

 

 

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

 

Frédéric Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) remains one of the most popular of the great nineteenth century composers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chasing the Fantaisie-Impromptu

When Chopin's great tune was debased

By lyrics where rainbows are chased,

Some musical snobs

Were upset by the mob's

Display of deplorable taste.

 

 

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

 

 

February 26 - Johnny Cash (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 26th are here: Frank Bridge (2020), Fats Domino; Betty Hutton (2021), Franz Strauss; Johnny Cash (2022), Anton Reicha (2023), Jackie Gleason (2024), and Stefano Landi (2025)

++++++++++++++++++++

Johnny Cash (26 February 1932 – 12 September 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Cachet

The wise would say it's rather rash

To pen a poem on Johnny Cash,

    Especially a light one,

For if you try to write a smash,

Invoke the ghost of Ogden Nash,

And smoke a cigarette to ash, 

And still you end up writing trash,

   It could come back to bite one.

But comic verse is just a dash

Of humor, nothing bold or brash,

A thing that's over in a flash, —

   And so I think I'll write one.

 

 

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

 

November 22 - Franz Benda (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 22nd are here: Benjamin Britten (2019), Cecil Sharp (2020),  Wilhelm Friedemann Bach; Stephen Hough (2022), Gunther Schuller; Benjamin Britten (2022), and Benjamin Britten (2023)

++++++++++++++++++

 

Franz [František] Benda (bapt. 22 November 1709 – 7 March 1786) was a Bohemian violinist and composer, who worked for much of his life at the court of Frederick the Great.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Routine

He was a member of the crown prince's orchestra, and later became concertmaster to the king. He played about 50,000 concertos over a period of forty years. -- Wikipedia

Today I am writing to send a

Birthday salute to Franz Benda,

A man with a lot on his plate

When working for Frederick the Great,

Where concertos by thousands were played

In a seemingly endless parade.

The job, though relentless, was big,

And in fact, was an excellent gig,

So adjusting his courtliest wig,

 

Herr Benda continued to play

In a galant pre-classical way

Every day, every day, every day…

 

 

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

 

November 12 - Alexander Borodin (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 12th are here: Richard Whiting; Alexander Borodin (2019), Gustav Nottebohm (2020), Jo Stafford; Neil Young (2021), Richard A. Whiting (2022), and Richard A. Whiting (2023)

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

Alexander Borodin (12 November 1833 – 27 February 1887) was a Russian chemist who composed avocationally. He is, of course, now remembered for the latter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Personality

[H]e regarded medicine and science as his primary occupations, only practicing music and composition in his spare time or when he was ill.  – Wikipedia

When Borodin had time to spare

He settled in his easy chair

And wrote his masterpieces there;

He’d write at times when he could grab

Some PTO, and leave the lab

And scribble down some notes before he

Returned back to the laboratory.

At other times he’d wait until

He had a fever or a chill

Or something else to keep him still,

Then focus on the music drill.

And thus his dual life was premised,

Half musician, and half chemist.

 

 

 

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

 

August 27 - Leon Theremin (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 27th are here: Lester Young (2019), Rebecca Clarke; Eric Coates (2020), Leon Theremin (2021), and Eric Coates (2022)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Leon Theremin (28 August [O.S. 15 August] 1896 – 3 November 1993) was a Russian and Soviet inventor, most famous for his invention of the theremin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Speculative Scenario

The kith and kin

Of Theremin

Objected from the first;

The eerie, thin,

Disturbing din

Brought out their very worst.

If they were in

When he’d begin,

They slammed their doors and cursed.

Was it a sin

To show chagrin

When he was so immersed?

With skin so thin

It might have been

A double win

To leave while he rehearsed.

 

 

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