February 8 - Irvine Arditti (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 8th are here: John Williams (2020), Joe Raposo (2021), Elly Ameling; André Grétry (2022), and John Williams (2023)

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Irvine Arditti (b. 8 February 1953) is a British violinist, as well as the leader and founder of the Arditti Quartet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Isn’t Easy

The Arditti Quartet concentrates on works from the last fifty years, along with very new music, mostly repertoire specially written for the ensemble to premiere.  They do not work with composers from fields such as jazz, pop or crossover.  - adapted from Wikipedia, s.v. “Arditti Quartet”

The string quartet formed by Arditti

Gives programs, both modern and meaty.

He never was one

To play music that’s fun

In spite of repeated entreaty.

 

 

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February 7 - Eubie Blake; Erkki Melartin (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 7th are here: Eubie Blake (2020), (2021), Wilhelm Stenhammar (2022), and Benedikt Schack (2023)

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Eubie Blake (7 February 1887 – 12 February 1983) was an important pianist and composer of popular songs and shows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Wild About It

In 1921, he and his long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals written and directed by African Americans. – Wikipedia

The musical Shuffle Along

Delighted with dancing and song,

A mighty big break

For both Sissle and Blake,

With a run over thirteen months long.

 

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

 

Erkki Melartin (7 February 1875– 14 February 1937) was a Finnish composer, conductor, and teacher. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also Ran

Melartin is generally considered to be one of Finland's most significant national Romantic composers, although his music—then and now—largely has been overshadowed by that of his exact contemporary, Jean Sibelius,  the country's most famous composer.  – Wikipedia

Of worthy names among the Finns

I’d like to mentions Melartin’s

From out of many might-have-beens.

His many works have been neglected,

(Although in Finland still respected),

Because of the attention directed

Towards Finland’s great symphonic son,

(I think that you can guess which one).

When everything was said and done

Sibelius couldn’t be outdone.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

February 6 - Fabian (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 6th are here: Natalie Cole; Arthur Gold (2020), Bob Marley; Natalie Cole (2021), Claudio Arrau (2022), and Charles Wheatstone (2023)

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Fabian  (b. 6 February 1943) is an American singer and actor.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a Man (Sort Of).

During the payola scandal of the 1960s, Forte testified before Congress that his recordings had been doctored electronically to "significantly improve his voice." – Wikipedia

 

Fabian is an early example of what many would now call a "manufactured pop star"; a sex symbol presented to audiences without much regard for singing talent – which even fans of early rock and roll music will admit Fabian didn't have much of…”  tvtropes.org

Fabian’s brand of rock and roll

  Caused an adolescent craze.

Girls would swoon and lose control

  In their young boy-crazy days.

And while it’s true that they were stirred,

  And hence the screaming and the swooning,

The star confessed that what they heard

  Was fifties proto-autotuning.

 

 

 

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

 

 

February 5 - Christian Gottlob Neefe (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 5th are here: Ole Bull (2020), Barrett Strong; Christian Gottlob Neefe (2021), Grażyna Bacewicz (2022), and Ole Bull (2023)

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Christian Gottlob Neefe (5 February 1748 – 28 January 1798) was a German opera composer, conductor, and organist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teach Your Children Well

He was known as one of the first teachers of Ludwig van Beethoven. – Wikipedia

Christian Gottlob Neefe’s name

  Perhaps deserves obscurity;

In any case his future fame

  Would not have been surety

Without a stroke of Fate that grew

  From out of Bonn’s community,

And teaching Ludwig was, he knew,

  His golden opportunity.

 

 

 

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