June 7 - Dean Martin (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Dean Martin (7 June 1917 – 25 December 1995) was an American actor, singer and comedian.
[For last year's verse on Charles Strouse click here.] 

Nice and Easy

Dean Martin, who laid it on thick,

Made his way on TV with his schtick;

As a debonair hunk,

Or an affable drunk,

He was effortless, casual, and slick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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June 6 - Siegfried Wagner (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Siegfried Wagner (6 June 1869 – 4 August 1930) was a German composer, conductor, and the artistic director of the Bayreuth Festival from 1908 to 1930. 
[For last year's limerick on John Stainer see here.]

And Richard Begat...

When you have a famous dad,

As Siegfried Wagner surely had,

You learn, for better or for worse,

Paternity can be a curse.

To this fact then add another,

Cosima, a fearsome mother:

Heading up the family clan

Can be a headache for a man.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

June 5 - Kenny G (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Kenny G (b. 5 June 1956) is an American pop saxophonist.
[For last year's verse on Daniel Pinkham click here.]

But Not for Me

Though folks may dote on Kenny G

He’s never been my cup of tea.

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

Long Time Passing

"Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records  in 1997 for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. Using circular breathing, Kenny G held an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds at J&R Music World in New York City."  -- Wikipedia

History, it seems, was made

When his lengthy note was played.

Dogs and cats were seen to cower

For three quarters of an hour

As this almost endless tone

Exuded from his saxophone;

But the Guinness book should note it

He thought it through and then re-wrote it,

He tried again, this time he played

The whole damn thing in retrograde.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

June 4 - James Hewitt (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

James Hewitt (4 June 1770 – 2 August 1827) was an American conductor, composer and music publisher.
[For last year's thoughts on Cecilia Bartoli click here.]

Half the Battle

James Hewitt depicted

A stirring event in

His keyboard sonata

“The Battle of Trenton,”

But still it’s a shame

That the wintery battle

Inspired from Hewitt

Such musical prattle.

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June 3 - Jan Peerce (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Jan Peerce (3 June 1904 – 15 December 1984) was a beloved American operatic tenor.
 [Last year's verse on Josephine Baker can be found here.]

Jan Peerce, Tenor

Toscanini, who admired him,

Heard his voice and then he hired him,

And that is why we still can play

Stacks of sets from RCA.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

June 2 - Edward Elgar (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Edward Elgar (2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934) is arguably the most important British composer between Purcell and Britten.
[For last year's verse, also on Elgar, click here.] 

Solemnis

When Elgar wrote Nimrod

He couldn’t have known,

That soon it would take on 

A life of its own.

The music of Nimrod,

So steady and solemn,

As chaste and severe

As a classical column,

Became the prescription

To make it more bearable

Whenever musicians 

Are feeling just terrible.

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June 1 - Carl Bechstein (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Series)

Carl Bechstein (1 June 1826 – 6 March 1900) was an important piano manufacturer.
[For last year's verse on Mikhail Glinka click here.]

Amused

Carl Bechstein sold a grand

  Piano to Victoria,

Who gravely looked it over and,

  Evincing no euphoria,

Asked if others were on hand

  For sale at his emporia,

And doing so she sparked demand

  From Glasgow to Pretoria.

(If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.

 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]