August 4 - Louis Lully (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 4th are here: Harry Lauder (2019), Louis Armstrong (2020), and William Schuman (2021)

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Louis Lully (4 August 1664– 1 April 1734) was a French musician and the eldest son of Jean-Baptiste Lully. 

[A note on pronunciation: the conventional pronunciation of Lully in England stresses the first syllable, while in America it is usual to stress the second syllable.  For the purposes of these metrical studies, please assume the English pronunciation.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Metrical Variations on a Failure

Nearly disinherited by his father following dissolute behavior and imprisonment, Louis did not have the brilliant career anticipated for him, not only because of his behavior but also due to his lack of talent. – Wikipedia

Trochaic Tragedy

Louis Lully was dejected

Since the life that was projected

Didn’t turn out as expected.

 

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Anapestic Anathema 

If you judged by the man’s DNA,

His achievements should blow us away!

But the Fates, in his case, had their say,

And he’s barely a memory today.

 

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Dactyl Damnation

Lully was dissolute, coarse, and ungallant,

But failed in his music through sheer lack of talent.

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Iambic Insult

Since Louis Lully lacked the skill

To reach the height of music’s hill,

Paternal anger grew until

He nearly cut him from the will.

 

 

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August 3 - Tony Bennett (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 3rd are here: Tony Bennett (2019),  (2020), and Richard Adler (2021)

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Tony Bennett (b. 3 August 1926) is one of the great stylists of American popular song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coda

Despite his retirement, Bennett continues to rehearse with his music director three times a week, Danny Bennett said in an interview. -- Wikipedia

It’s August 3rd and once again it’s

Time to think of Tony Bennett’s

Many years in entertainment

At the acme of attainment.

He sings a bit, though now retired,

But since he’s frail, it’s not required. –

He had a touching final saga

With impetus from Lady Gaga.

 

 

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August 2 - Helen Morgan (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts of August 2nd are here: Helen Morgan (2019), Arthur Bliss (2020), and Jacob Collier (2021)

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Helen Morgan (2 August 1900 – 9 October 1941) was an American singer and actress who worked in films and on the stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Bill

 

She starred as Julie LaVerne in the original Broadway production of Hammerstein and Kern's musical Show Boat in 1927, as well as in the 1932 Broadway revival of the musical, and appeared in two film adaptations. -- Wikipedia  

Miss Morgan had more than one turn

At the role of Miss Julie LaVerne;

We remember her still

For the way she sang “Bill”

And other great standards by Kern.

 

 

 

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August 1 - Francis Scott Key (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 1st are here: Lionel Bart (2019) and (2020), and Jerry Garcia; Benedetto Marcello (2021)

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Francis Scott Key (1 August 1779 – 11 January 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, who is best known for writing the lyrics for the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Play Ball!

If the lawyer named Francis Scott Key

Returned to the living, would he

Insist that subpoenas

Be sent to arenas

Who are using his lyrics for free?

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O Say, Can You Sing?

 

Although the poem has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today. -- Wikipedia, s.v. "The Star-Spangled Banner" 

When we strain to sing “land of the free”

On that curséd high F or high G,

It gets even worse

If you sing every verse

That was written by Francis Scott Key.

 

 

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

 

 

July 31 - Ignacio Cervantes (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 31st are here: Jacob Handl (Gallus) (2019), George Liberace (2020), and Paul J. Christiansen (2021)

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Ignacio Cervantes (31 July 1847 – 29 April 1905) was a Cuban pianist and composer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've Got Rhythm

His dances for the piano were dubbed genuine musical gems by internationally renowned Cuban intellectuals. — adapted from naxos.com

When using his national dances

Cervantes was taking his chances,

But they met with success

Which was lovely, I’d guess,

For Cervantes's family finances.

 

 

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July 30 - John Duke (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 30th are here: Gerald Moore (2019), Nannerl Mozart (2020), and Paul Anka (2021)

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John Duke (30 July 1899 – 26 October 1984) was an American composer and pianist mostly remembered for his many art songs.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practicality

I haven’t come here to rebuke

Recitalists who sing John Duke.

His songs can be attractive, and

Because they’re uniformly bland,

There’s nothing in them to offend

A colleague, relative, or friend.

 

 

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