Beware the Ides of March!
Join me today on The Classical Network, as we listen to music inspired by Julius Caesar, with works by Sir Arthur Bliss, George Frideric Handel, Robert Schumann, Rudolf Tobias, and/or Miklós Rózsa. We’ll also do our best to touch on the birthdays of Nicholas Flagello, Johan Halvorsen, Ben Johnston, Colin McPhee, and Eduard Strauss.
March 15th lives in infamy as the anniversary of Caesar’s murder in 44 B.C. Shortly after declaring himself Dictator Perpetuus (Dictator for Life), Caesar was set upon by members of the Roman Senate and stabbed 23 times. His alleged last words, as he was struck the final blow by his friend and confidant Marcus Brutus, were “Et tu, Brute?” (“You too, Brutus?”). The phrase, “Beware the Ides of March,” was coined by William Shakespeare for his historical play.
By the way, the Ides don’t necessarily fall on the 15th of every month, so you can’t just drop an “Ides of January” or an “Ides of June” on any old whim. It had to do with the date of the full moon, which in Ancient Rome was believed to fall on the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, the months with 31 days. In the other months, the Ides fell on the 13th – which sounds even more unlucky!
We’re lucky to be able enjoy such a variety of music, today from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT – or anytime for that matter – on WWFM – The Classical Network. Please support us at wwfm.org.
NOTE: As a special bonus, Ryan James Brandau, artistic director of Princeton Pro Musica, will drop by around 5:00 to talk a little bit about the choir’s next concert, which will take place on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Princeton University Chapel. Among the featured works will be Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” You can also learn more at princetonpromusica.org.
