Elvis and company
In 1957, we see why Elvis was nicknamed The Pelvis. We also see – or at least I think I see – the roots of his dancing in James Cagney. “James Cagney?” you ask, puzzled. Not in Cagney’s tap dancing … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Music
Open thread
Is he making love to the piano? Caressing it? Melting into it? Casting a spell on it? Giving it a massage? My favorite Gould version of The Goldberg Variations was also the later, slower, more soulful one from 1982 rather … Continue reading →
Same Old Lang Syne
It’s not the season for it, but oh well – I’ve always liked this song of Dan Fogelberg’s. Turns out it has an interesting story behind it, too:
Continue reading →Open thread 3/17/22
I’m happy to say that I’m now able to identify which Bach piece I learned after that Chopin waltz, as described in this previous post. Actually, it was two Bach pieces, two minuets. Easy ones but very lovely. If your … Continue reading →
Dueling Chopin Polonaises – and my very brief piano career
My favorite classical composers are as follows: Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Dvorak. Note the order; Chopin leads the way. Is that because I was heavily exposed to Chopin from the age of four in ballet class? I don’t think it’s just … Continue reading →
Then and now
I wrote a draft for a huge post focusing on Ukraine’s history and on NATO. It’s probably going to be a two-parter. Instead of racing to get the first part up here for the weekend, I’ve decided to postpone that … Continue reading →
Dueling violin prodigies playing Winter in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Christian Li is fourteen years old here. This seems to be a rehearsal. I love the way prodigies get a very adult and focused look on their faces when they play. His delivery is very fast, with lots of attack. … Continue reading →
On the ugliness of the German language
[NOTE: This post was inspired by a discussion in the comments in this thread.] I don’t speak German at all except for a few words. In fact, foreign languages aren’t my forte, although I’m sensitive to sounds. Until a few … Continue reading →
Christa Ludwig disagrees with Leonard Bernstein about tempo
I had no idea why YouTube decided I would like this video called “Vocalist Disagrees With Bernstein’s Tempo.” But they recommended it, and I idly clicked on it and watched it: “It doesn’t matter; who can hear the words anyway?” … Continue reading →
Those Spotify would-be censors, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell
Yes, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell and whoever else has joined their cause have the right to threaten to leave Spotify if the platform doesn’t boycott Joe Rogan. But they would serve their cause better if they just state clearly … Continue reading →
Sometimes you just know it will be a hit: Stayin’ Alive
Instant hit: …[The Bee Gees’ tech guy Karl Richardson] also has a clear recollection of how he first came to hear ‘Stayin’ Alive’: “I distinctly remember Barry saying ‘Boy, Karl, have I got a song for you,’ and sitting down … Continue reading →
RIP Marvin Lee Aday (aka Meat Loaf)
Here’s another death of a celebrity in the arts, the actor and singer who adopted the memorable moniker Meat Loaf. He was 74 and no cause of death was given, and although COVID is rumored, I don’t know whether or … Continue reading →