An old pro, performing one of his classic routines. Happy birthday, Victor Borge!
Tag: Birthday
-
Philip Glass Birthday Arpeggios & More
From the arpeggione to arpeggios! Not only is today the anniversary of the birth of Franz Schubert, it’s also the 85th birthday of Philip Glass. Regardless of what you may think of Glass’ music, you’ve got to hand it to a composer who’s managed to stay relevant for the past half century or so. Here are some links to a few of my favorites.
String Quartet No. 5
Violin Concerto (now the Violin Concerto No. 1)
“Modern Love Waltz,” arranged by Robert Moran, who enlisted Glass to join “The Waltz Project,” which culminated in an album for Nonesuch Records.
The two composers also collaborated on an opera, “The Juniper Tree,” after the Brothers Grimm
Glass’ “Akhnaten” at the Met, with Princeton University graduate Anthony Roth Costanzo – and jugglers!
“Composing Myself: Philip Glass”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ10fkznv4
A conversation with Philip Glass
-
Beethoven’s Happy Birthday Surprise
Nobody went to his 250th birthday party. But was he bitter?
Naaaaaa…
Happy 251st, Beethoven!
For another festive occasion: musicians of the Southwest German Radio Orchestra surprise Sir Roger Norrington on his 84th birthday with this playful arrangement of Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony.
Norrington, now 87, retired from the podium on November 18.
-
Edo de Waart at 80 A Conducting Celebration
Today is the day Edo counts to 80.
Edo de Waart was born in 1941, fourscore years ago today. Once assistant conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink (he had originally played as an oboist there), De Waart has gone one to enjoy a long and enviable career himself, both in the concert hall and in the recording studio.
Of course, he’s had more music directorships than he’s had wives (barely), including positions with the Rotterdam Philharmonic (1973-79), the San Francisco Symphony (1977-85), the Minnesota Orchestra (1986-95), the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic (1989-2004), the Sydney Symphony (1993-2003), the Hong Kong Philharmonic (2004-12), the Milwaukee Symphony (2009-17), the Antwerp Symphony (2011-16), and the New Zealand Symphony (2016-21). He is now principal guest conductor of the San Diego Symphony (2019- ).
De Waart, who was born in Amsterdam, has made the trip to the altar six times. He currently resides in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin.
Among his achievements, he has been a notable champion of the music of John Adams and Steve Reich. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich dedicated her Symphony No. 2 to him.
This disc has always been a favorite:
De Waart conducting one of Adams’ better pieces:
A candid interview, with an appearance by Adams:
De Waart conducting Brahms’ in advance of his 80th birthday:
Happy birthday, Edo de Waart!
-
Samuel Barber Birthday Tribute & Music
Since last March, when Covid broke across New Jersey, the only Barber I’ve visited is Samuel Barber. The composer of the ubiquitous “Adagio for Strings” was born in West Chester, Pa., on this date in 1910.
My favorite Barber pieces? The Violin Concerto. The Symphony No. 1. The Second Essay for Orchestra. “Souvenirs” (in the version for piano four hands). Okay, and the Adagio.
If its passionate, elegiac character seems out of step with such a lovely day, here’s something with a lighter, carefree disposition, from his set of piano pieces titled “Excursions.”
Also, one of his most charming songs, “The Monk and His Cat.”
Here’s a real gem: an interview with Barber in his NYC apartment, to celebrate his 67th birthday. Barber plays the piano, displays his conversational wit, and shares his recording of “Dover Beach,” on which he appears as baritone. Stay tuned for the birthday cake at the end!
His music may do nothing for the length of my beard, but it keeps my soul limber.
Happy birthday, Sam.
PHOTO: Barber, dressed like Sky Masterson, conducting his Second Symphony. Ironically, Barber disliked the work. He disliked it so much, he tried to destroy it. In 1984, three years after his death, the symphony was revived when a set of parts turned up in an English warehouse.
Hear Barber rehearse the work here:
Tag Cloud
Aaron Copland (92) Beethoven (95) Composer (114) Film Music (120) Film Score (143) Film Scores (255) Halloween (94) John Williams (185) KWAX (229) Leonard Bernstein (100) Marlboro Music Festival (125) Movie Music (135) Opera (198) Philadelphia Orchestra (88) Picture Perfect (174) Princeton Symphony Orchestra (106) Radio (87) Ralph Vaughan Williams (85) Ross Amico (244) Roy's Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner (290) The Classical Network (101) The Lost Chord (268) Vaughan Williams (103) WPRB (396) WWFM (881)