January 27 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (The Musical Birthday Series)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was one of the greatest composers of all time.

That’s My Boy!

Said Leopold, “Witness my son,

And witness the things he has done.

I know that you’ll like

My most talented tyke,

If you hunger for wonders, he’s one.”

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Dies Bildnis

Tamino, the prince of the ‘hood,

Was gullible, noble, and good.

Enduring the frights 

Of a few mystic rites,

He behaved as a noble prince should.

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Getting Things Don

The Don was alive before Tindr,

Which didn’t inhibit or hinder

His carnal desire

(Not tinder, but fire)

And he ended up burnt to a cinder.

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January 26 - Alice Babs (The Musical Birthday Series)

Alice Babs (26 January 1924 – 11 February 2014) was a Swedish singer an actress, known especially for her jazz performances.

Trinity

“A long and productive period of collaboration with Duke Ellington began in 1963. Among other works, Babs participated in performances of Ellington's second and third Sacred Concerts which he had written originally for her. Her voice had a range of more than three octaves; Ellington said that when she was not available to sing the parts that he had written for her, he had to use three different singers.”  -- Wikipedia

Alice Babs sang vocal themes

With greatest ease in both extremes

   -- Her range, indeed,  extensive.

When Ms. Babs was absent she

Had to be replaced by three,

    -- A change, indeed, expensive.



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January 25 - Antônio Carlos Jobim (The Musical Birthday Series)

Antônio Carlos Jobim (25 January 1927 – 8 December 1994) was the best-known exponent of bossa nova.

 

  

Carnaval do Brasil

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Is held in exalted esteem;

It’s said that Jehovah

Enjoys bossa nova, 

And His samba is out of a dream!

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January 24 - Frederick the Second; E. T. A. Hoffmann (The Musical Birthday Series)

Frederick the Great (24 January 1712 – 17 August 1786), King of Prussia was a talented amateur flutist and composer.

Also Ran

Frederick the Second had musical wants

That were largely fulfilled by music of Quantz,

Ignoring old Bach who was eagerly proffering

The intricate games of his Musical Offering.

And the Second Shall Be First

When Frederick the Second played the flute

His courtiers, who were most astute,

Averred there could be no dispute --

His taste (and rule) were absolute.

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

E. T. A. Hoffmann (24 January 1776 – 25 June 1822) was an author who dabbled in musical 

composition and wrote musical criticism. Many 19th century musicians found inspiration 

in his stories.

Literary Inspiration; or, Ohs

When Hoffman took his book and rose,

Transported with Romantic throes,

And read fantastic tales to those

Who gathered there at evening’s close,

Listeners, when they heard his prose,

Repaid him with bravissimos.

Musicians felt they must compose,

Feeling how afflatus glows

Before creative instinct flows,

And music grew like embryos

To fill up their portfolios

With prestos and adagios.

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