July 23 - Leon Fleisher (The Musical Birthday Series)

Leon Fleisher (b. 23 July 1928) is one of the most admired pianists and teachers of his generation

Using What's Left

Leon Fleisher,

  Midcareer,

    Had the fright

    Of losing right

Hand dexterity.

Leon Fleisher,

  Conquered fear,

     Got more deft

     With his left

Polarity.


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July 22 - Bobby Sherman (The Musical Birthday Series)

Bobby Sherman (b. 22 July 1943) was a teen idol pop star in the late 60s and early 70s.

Sherman’s March

Perhaps there is nothing to learn in

The life of the young Bobby Sherman.

Whether fame was as simple

As his haircut and dimple

Is something we cannot determine.


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July 21 - Isaac Stern (The Musical Birthday Series)

Isaac Stern (21 July 1920 - 22 September 2001) was a great violinist but today we celebrate one of his other achievements.


 

Stern Lesson

When going to Carnegie Hall

Take time to step back and recall

That without the concern

Of the great Isaac Stern

It wouldn’t still be there at all.


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July 20 - Natalie Wood (The Musical Birthday Series)

Natalie Wood (20 July 1938 – 29 November 1981) was an actress who appeared in  two famous musicals, once singing and once not.

  

Synching

When you’re watching West Side Story

(And you really should),

Keep in mind Maria’s singing

Isn’t Natalie Wood.

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July 19 - Robert Mann (The Musical Birthday Series)

Robert Mann (19 July 1920 – 1 January 2018) was founding member of the influential Juilliard String Quartet.

Éminence grise

Robert Mann, when full in years,

Left the Juilliard String Quartet.

When he heard the final cheers,

Doubtless hearing with regret,

He gathered up his souvenirs

On vinyl, CDs, and cassette -

Standard rep and world premieres.

Wistful, looking back, and yet,

Knowing that among his peers,

Many owed a special debt

For his guidance in their careers —

Lessons they would not forget.

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July 18 - Pauline Viardot (The Musical Birthday Series)

Pauline Viardot (18 July 1821 – 18 May 1910) was a great mezzo and a minor composer.

All in the Family

You probably know

Pauline Viardot

  And her sister Maria Malibran,

And then when you add

Their brother and dad,

   It makes a most musical clan.

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July 17 - Peter Schickele; Vince Guaraldi (The Musical Birthday Series)

Peter Schickele (b. 17 July 1935) is an American composer and parodist. 
Vince Guaraldi (17 July 17 1928 – 6 February 1976) was a jazz pianist and composer.

Peer Pressure

  

When Schickele worked in the archives

Discovering Bach (P. D. Q.)

He loaded up multiple hard drives

With all of the stuff he went through.

But when it came time to submit it,

He tried in a journal or two,

And sadly, he had to admit it,

He couldn’t get past peer review.

Linus and Lucy and Vince

Vince Guaraldi’s gentle way

With current jazzy trends

Served him well when asked to play

For Charlie Brown and friends.

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