More on Toscanini and music- anecdotes

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) Musical genius of Toscanini on looking back was in his ability to convey what the composer had in mind not only musically but psychologically and thus playing his work he made it a dramatic experience. By studying the score sheets he saw beyond the notes the intention of the composer and by [...]

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart- his run of bad luck

The fact the composer was buried in an unmarked grave is too well known to repeat here. The cure for the illness from which he died was discovered only a few years after his death. A blizzard and sleet drove away the mourners who had come to pay their last respects. Shortly before the composer’s [...]

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Woodie Guthrie-anecdote

Woodie Guthrie (1912-1967) Woodie Guthrie had been on the road most of his life , a drifter with a guitar and singing folk songs. Alan Lomax, who was collecting folk songs for the Library of Congress persuaded him to record them for posterity. Woody lived with Lomaxes while he recorded three hours of songs and [...]

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Music, Music,put another nickel…

When I listen to Mozart i know I am transported to another level and having come down to earth I shall never be the same at least for a couple of hours. I am sure I have seen how my cat would come purring and walk around me swishing his furry tail as though he [...]

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Music of Beethoven

The first time I visited the British Museum in 89 one item that captivated me was the autograph of Beethoven. Alongside was that of Mozart. The tidiness of the latter was totally missing in the work of Beethoven. Comparing these is easier than analyzing why one is distinct from the other. Yet both have been [...]

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Arturo Toscanini-anecdotes

Arturo Toscanini(1867-1957) Conductor As a conductor he was a martinet and his total dedication to the composer was as distinct as William Furtwängler, for example, was not. He began his musical career as a cellist. When he was 19 he found himself as cellist and assistant chorus master, part of an Italian troupe performing in [...]

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Michael Jackson is Dead!

I record my sorrow at his passing. The world has lost a great entertainer. Music industry shall look for another and I do not think it will be easy. When Elvis died as a courtesy to the dead I stopped shaking my pelvis; with Michael Jackson I shall go extra mile. He deserves all that [...]

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How Sailors Came to Sing Shanties

A Musical Joke© Arion was the most celebrated musician in his time and he served Periander, the despot of Corinth. After serving him for long he took leave for a certain period. First he sailed for Sicily and went though Italy where his musical gifts earned him great wealth. Then it was time for him [...]

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Mozart-the composer

Mozart had unusual powers of detachment. From his pupil Attwood’s account we know it in his creative activity as observed. ‘Mozart was observed at the end of a meal to begin folding and unfolding his napkin; with polite excuses he left the room and returned to the company in good spirits. Often when this happened [...]

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