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Post by sepiatone on Jul 29, 2023 15:23:34 GMT
When I was a kid we had this on an old 78rpm recording. It was not only an early introduction to classical music for me, but my introduction to Basil Rathbone.
Sepiatone
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Post by Hrothgar on Dec 6, 2023 7:01:50 GMT
The MASH thread reminded me of the touching documentary Seymour: An Introduction (2014). The clip below doesn't really do his Korean War experiences justice. In the movie when he talks about how the classical concerts he performed impacted the soldiers it is quite a moment. Seymour Bernstein Returns to Korea - Encore performance by UN veterans after 60 years Seymour: An Introduction (2014) - Official Trailer Meet Seymour Bernstein: a virtuoso pianist, veteran New Yorker, and true original who gave up a successful concert career to teach music. In this wonderfully warm, witty, and intimate tribute from his friend, Ethan Hawke, Seymour shares unforgettable stories from his remarkable life and eye-opening words of wisdom, as well as insightful reflections on art, creativity, and the search for fulfillment. A “poignant guide to life” and an engaging exploration on the dedication, perseverance, and fortitude essential to creating both art and a rewarding life, Seymour: An Introduction will leave audiences uplifted and inspired. I did a double take on the title. Seymour, an Introduction, is also the title of an early novella by J.D. Salinger back in the 50s. Two completely different animals. |
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Feb 9, 2024 0:22:28 GMT
I was a bit disappointed Grace Bumbry wasn't included in The Grammy's In Memoriam Grace Melzia Bumbry (January 4, 1937 – May 7, 2023) was an American opera singer, considered one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of her generation, who also ventured to soprano roles. She belonged to a pioneering generation of African-American classical singers, led by Marian Anderson. She was recognized internationally when Wieland Wagner cast her for the 1961 Bayreuth Festival as Venus in Tannhäuser, the first black singer to appear at the festival.Grace Bumbry Sings Schumann www.youtube.com/watch?v=objGQzavTNYGrace Bumbry: "Black Venus of Bayreuth" (1961) French TV Report |
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Post by BunnyWhit on Feb 11, 2024 5:07:37 GMT
Happy Birthday, Leontyne Price! (10 February 1927)
(I wonder if she still has pipes at 97. Probably.)
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Feb 11, 2024 23:45:02 GMT
(I wonder if she still has pipes at 97. Probably.) I'll take rhetorical questions for 100 please: Probably? Nay, YES! I love the hauntingly gorgeous Firestone telecast of "O Patria Mia" My socks blew off the first time I saw it Leontyne Price sings "O Patria Mia" from AIDA by Giuseppe Verdi In keeping with my day late/dollar short tribute modus operandi...
Rachmaninov’s Last Surviving Pupil Turns 99 Years OldRuth Slenczynska (born January 15, 1925)Her connection with Rachmaninov extended beyond the piano. Anecdotes of their tea-drinking sessions and the Fabergé egg necklace she wears, a gift from the composer, add a personal touch to her storied career.  Nearly 90 years ago, the nine year-old Slenczynska was practising one of Rachmaninov’s preludes when he asked her to join him at the window. It was springtime in Paris, and the avenues were lined with mimosa trees laden with fluffy, golden blossoms. “He said: ‘You see that? That’s what you want to bring to your sound – gold.’ I said: ‘Show me.’ So he sat down at the piano and put colour into his sound, he made it meaningful. Does she have any regrets? “No,” she says, “looking back doesn’t do any good. Look forward, and make that as beautiful as you can.” |
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Feb 16, 2024 21:03:30 GMT
Podmoskovyne Vechera
Translating as ‘Moscow Nights’, this plaintive Russian song is one of the best known abroad. It was written by composer Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi in 1955 with the title ‘Leningrad Nights’, but was later renamed at the request of the Soviet Ministry of Culture. Hugely popular in the USSR, it really gained a foothold abroad when the American pianist Van Cliburn played it to welcome Mikhail Gorbachev to the White House in 1989, turning it into a symbol of improving Russian-American relations.
Van Cliburn plays the Russian Song "Moscow Nights"
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Feb 23, 2024 23:14:55 GMT
More gorgeous vintage opera - from the time before they fired singers mid-performance? I hope. Heaven help us all.
On Feb. 15, 2024, the English National Opera handed redundancy notices to singers and musicians midway through the final performance of its acclaimed production of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
The Telegraph reported that most of the performers found out about the letters during the interval of the performance.
Renata Tebaldi "Un bel di vedremo"
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Post by BunnyWhit on Mar 1, 2024 16:02:52 GMT
Happy Birthday, Frédéric Chopin! (1 March 1810 -- 17 October 1849)
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Mar 11, 2024 20:54:14 GMT
All that we tolerated endured enjoyed (but never consumed) so that he might make $ to make real pictures,
It took Beethoven four years to write that symphony
Some things can't be rushed
Good music
And good wine
Orson Welles for Paul Masson Wine (April 2, 1979)
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Mar 12, 2024 18:38:50 GMT
According to Eric Carmen, he first wrote the solo part of the song, writing four bars at a time, eventually completed the interlude after two months. He needed to put this into a song, and after listening to Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto, a piece famously used to underscore the 1945 British film Brief Encounter, he adapted the melody of its second movement to write the verse.
Rachmaninoff's music was in the public domain in the United States at that time, so Carmen thought no copyright existed on it, but it was still protected outside the U.S. subsequent to the release of the album. He was later contacted by the Rachmaninoff estate and informed that it was protected. An agreement was reached in which the estate would receive 12 percent of the royalties from "All by Myself" as well as from "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", which was based on the third movement from Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2.
Eric Carmen All By Myself
All by Myself (de Rachmaninoff a Eric Carmen)
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Mar 25, 2024 16:29:56 GMT
My thoughts from time to time turn to the very strange opening ceremony for the London Olympics. And to plain old Humphrey. Despite being flooded with contract offers that might have taken him on a musical path, he went with his heart and followed the scientific route. He is now a zoologist with a passion for wildlife filmmaking.  We hope that through all the noise and excitement that you will glimpse a single golden thread of purpose – the idea of Jerusalem – of a better world, the world of real freedom and true equality, a world that can be built through the prosperity of industry, through the caring nation that built the welfare state, through the joyous energy of popular culture, through the dream of universal communication. A belief that we can build Jerusalem. And that it will be for everyone.
- Danny Boyle, Artistic Director for the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Jerusalem Performed by the Dockhead Choir Choir Coordinator: Mag Shepherd Written by Christie/Blake/ Parry Olympic voice of plain old Humphrey – the boy who sang to 1bn people
 A schoolboy whose angelic voice was heard by more than a billion people told of his pride at starring in the opening ceremony. Humphrey Keeper, 11, who has never had a formal singing lesson, was selected by Danny Boyle only 10 days ago to sing the first verse of Jerusalem live and unaccompanied. His big moment came after the bell was sounded to launch the show. “I didn’t expect it to be that big,” he said. “When I saw myself on TV, I thought, ‘Should I be on the TV?’ I felt proud as well as feeling a tiny bit nervous, but not much nervous. Humphrey, who was born with his left arm missing below the elbow, is working towards his Grade 4 recorder exam, using an instrument adapted for one-handed use. Gary Phillips, director of Reach, the charity that supports 1,000 children with upper limb deficiencies including Humphrey, praised his performance: “We find this with all our children; they seem to work harder to achieve. It helps others to know what they can do — it’s an inspiration to others.” www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/dec/23/olympic-voice-humphrey-sing-1bn-people |
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Post by NoShear on Mar 27, 2024 0:24:51 GMT
My thoughts from time to time turn to the very strange opening ceremony for the London Olympics. And to plain old Humphrey. Despite being flooded with contract offers that might have taken him on a musical path, he went with his heart and followed the scientific route. He is now a zoologist with a passion for wildlife filmmaking. We hope that through all the noise and excitement that you will glimpse a single golden thread of purpose – the idea of Jerusalem – of a better world, the world of real freedom and true equality, a world that can be built through the prosperity of industry, through the caring nation that built the welfare state, through the joyous energy of popular culture, through the dream of universal communication. A belief that we can build Jerusalem. And that it will be for everyone.
- Danny Boyle, Artistic Director for the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Jerusalem Performed by the Dockhead Choir Choir Coordinator: Mag Shepherd Written by Christie/Blake/ Parry Olympic voice of plain old Humphrey – the boy who sang to 1bn people
A schoolboy whose angelic voice was heard by more than a billion people told of his pride at starring in the opening ceremony. Humphrey Keeper, 11, who has never had a formal singing lesson, was selected by Danny Boyle only 10 days ago to sing the first verse of Jerusalem live and unaccompanied. His big moment came after the bell was sounded to launch the show. “I didn’t expect it to be that big,” he said. “When I saw myself on TV, I thought, ‘Should I be on the TV?’ I felt proud as well as feeling a tiny bit nervous, but not much nervous. Humphrey, who was born with his left arm missing below the elbow, is working towards his Grade 4 recorder exam, using an instrument adapted for one-handed use. Gary Phillips, director of Reach, the charity that supports 1,000 children with upper limb deficiencies including Humphrey, praised his performance: “We find this with all our children; they seem to work harder to achieve. It helps others to know what they can do — it’s an inspiration to others.” www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/dec/23/olympic-voice-humphrey-sing-1bn-people The arts share many an Olympics, but those London games seemed to have especially yielded more than its share of musical memories, galacticgirrrl. |
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Mar 27, 2024 2:24:32 GMT
There were so many strange goings on at that opening ceremony.  |
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Apr 13, 2024 4:19:13 GMT
Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez
Her crystalline voice haunts both the movie and memory The character she played refused to have her voice recorded, insisting that art exists in the moment of performance and that to mix business with art would cheapen her work.
Fernandez sings the aria "Ebben? Ne andrò lontana", from Act I of Catalani's opera "La Wally."
The piece is a haunting reverie on the theme of traveling alone and far from home. Catalani died in 1893 of consumption at the age of 39, only a year after the triumphant premiere of "La Wally" at La Scala.Wilhelmenina Wiggins Fernandez - La Wally (extrait de "Diva" 1981)
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Post by Hrothgar on Apr 26, 2024 14:42:54 GMT
More gorgeous vintage opera - from the time before they fired singers mid-performance? I hope. Heaven help us all.On Feb. 15, 2024, the English National Opera handed redundancy notices to singers and musicians midway through the final performance of its acclaimed production of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
The Telegraph reported that most of the performers found out about the letters during the interval of the performance.Renata Tebaldi "Un bel di vedremo" |
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