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This self-portrait of Pierre Petit (left) reminds me that I am overdue for a haircut. Petit, who lived from 1832 to 1909, photographed many of the important events and artists of his time. He was the official photographer of the International Exhibition of 1867. He reported on the construction of the Statue of Liberty. He photographed the Siege of Paris. He was the first to attempt underwater photography.
I’m attaching his portraits of Berlioz and Delacroix, then I’m off to be shorn.
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So as not to completely neglect Luciano Pavarotti on the anniversary of his birth, here he is charming the pants off an audience, with an anecdote about being caught without his. I really miss this guy, one of classical music’s last superstars. Pavarotti died in 2007 at the age of 71.
Pavarotti in “Yes, Giorgio” (1982) – from the director of “Patton!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUSC2MUAp5Y
With all due respect, Pavarotti with goats:
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In case you haven’t heard…
Today is the birthday of Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). We wend our way to WWFM next to celebrate this bear-like, somewhat slovenly man, who, with his friend Gustav Holst, spearheaded the movement to establish a distinctly English sound in music. We’ll hear Vaughan Williams’ “English Folk Song Suite,” followed by Holst’s “Somerset Rhapsody.” The two share a common ancestry – as will be immediately recognized.
Cows and Tudors loom large today as we honor Vaughan Williams, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.
Best buds Gustav Holst (left) and RVW
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Right now, we’re listening to a selection from “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” a rare historic document of a radio play featuring Sir John Gielgud, with incidental music by RVW, made available by the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society on its own label, Albion Records.
It’s a full morning of Vaughan Williams rarities, as well as better-known works in historic performances, for the composer’s birthday. John Burkhalter of the Guild for Early Music will join me at 9:30 to talk about the 12th Annual Early Music Festival at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, which will take place this Sunday. Then we’ll hear David Munrow’s recording of Vaughan Williams’ “Suite for Pipes.”
Enjoy that and much more, including the composer conducting his Symphony No. 4, until 11:00 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.
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Grab a pitchfork and prepare for an alternatingly brisk, meditative and lusty morning. Just in time for the harvest, it’s a full playlist of Ralph Vaughan Williams on his birthday. We’ll stroll the fertile fields of Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Sussex, travel back in time to Tudor England, and share the composer’s turmoil – and hope – through two world wars.
Around 9:30, recorder player John Burkhalter, a stalwart of the area’s Early Music scene, will drop by the studio to talk a little but about the 12th Annual Guild for Early Music Festival, which will take place this Sunday at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton. Then we’ll hear Vaughan Williams’ piece for recorder ensemble, “Suite for Pipes,” a seldom heard work, in a recording that is now as rare as hen’s teeth.
Because of Yom Kippur, Marvin Rosen’s Classical Discoveries will be heard on Thursday morning this week, from 5:30 to 11:00. We’ll be pitching hay and pitching woo; some of the music may even as black as pitch (the Symphony No. 4, with the composer conducting). I’ll be on the pitcher’s mound from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. We put a little “English” on it, on Classic Ross Amico.
PHOTO: Vaughan Williams and Foxy engage in a shedding contest
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