Almost exactly forty-nine years after the interview that I embedded a few days ago, on October 13, 2010, Stephen Sondheim spoke to Matthew Cain in Great Britain for a wide ranging chat. He discussed many topics including the difference between the theater scenes in New York and London and his disappointment that musicals now vastly … Continue reading Sondheim in 2010
Music
Sondheim in 1961
This is a fascinating video. It was broadcast on Sunday October 15, 1961, but it was recorded a few days before then. It’s a WCBS production, so I don’t think it was ever broadcast nationally, but I really don’t know. Moreover, this is the raw tape with a false start and a do-over. Would commercials … Continue reading Sondheim in 1961
Alex North and the Ancient Lowly
I’ve always been just a bit absent minded, and sometimes I’ve had to think a moment or two to recall a name or a word, but as I progress into late youth those tendencies have accelerated and now it’s often far more than a moment that I have to struggle to recall a name. But … Continue reading Alex North and the Ancient Lowly
You’re Gonna Wanna Read This One!
I’ve pretty much given up on predicting how my blog posts are going to be received because I’m so bad at it. Those that I think might be popular, in that they might get a comment or a like, usually don’t, and those that are often just throwaway posts, written in haste, often garner more … Continue reading You’re Gonna Wanna Read This One!
The Fab Four Find Philly
During their first tour of the States, The Beatles were scheduled to perform in Philadelphia’s Convention Center (the old one in West Philly) for their screaming fans on September 2, 1964, but a few days before that, two white cops confronted a Black woman. Some things never change. This led to several days of protests. … Continue reading The Fab Four Find Philly
Col. Bogey Had a March
If you’ve ever seen the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, then you can’t forget the tune that the British prisoners whistle as they march to build a bridge for their Japanese captors. It’s a catchy tune and it was written years before in 1914 by Lieutenant F. J. Ricketts (pen name Kenneth J. Alford), … Continue reading Col. Bogey Had a March
The Ballad of Guiteau
“A story about religion, sex, an assassination, and silverware.” That’s how the August 4th episode of the Criminal podcast is described on their website, and it’s a pretty accurate description. I’d highly recommend it as it serves as an excellent introduction to the video clip that I’m including at the end of this post. I’m … Continue reading The Ballad of Guiteau
Everything You Didn’t Realize You Wanted To Know About Für Elise
Just came across this YouTube video and as it deals with one of my favorite composers, I thought it ought to have a spot on my blog.
Music Quiz #1
After yesterday’s post, how about something to cleanse the palate? Here’s a music quiz. This is an experiment. I’m trying out a plugin, the third that I’ve tried, the first two proving unsatisfactory. I wanted a Free plugin to make quizzes. Not that I have anything against people making money, but I’m not looking for … Continue reading Music Quiz #1
The First Fadeout
I was curious about the first first song to use a fadeout ending as opposed to coming to a regular cadential close, so I searched to see if the Internet could tell me. It didn’t take long. I was surprised to find that Joseph Haydn could be awarded the honors for his Farewell Symphony. And second place … Continue reading The First Fadeout