Tallis, Spem in alium Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585) held positions early in his career as organist in Benedictine priories and at Canterbury Cathedral. With Henry VIII’s suppression of the monasteries in 1536-1541, Tallis found employment with the Chapel Royal. He served four monarchs and played … Read more
Wednesday morning, on the way to an Ash Wednesday service with my little grandkids, questions about the ashes came up. What were the ashes? Where did they come from? And why are they placed on our foreheads? All good questions these. We don’t see many … Read more
Roman, Violin Concerto in D Minor Two facts jump out if you look up Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758): (1) he is known as the father of Swedish music, and (2) he is known as the Swedish Handel. Those two things seem to be in conflict. … Read more
Farmers! Well, I intended to write about music historiography this week. The subject is on my mind as I prepare for talks at the early March National Classical Education Symposium in Phoenix. Keeping things as lively as possible, I will attempt to lay out the … Read more
Machaut, Douce dame jolie Douce dame jolie (“Sweet, beautiful lady”) is a virelai in which the poet sings of his adoration and anguish that his attentions are not returned. Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377) composed both the music and the lyrics. Since today is Valentine’s Day, … Read more
We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us. — John Steinbeck I found a book club! Rather, it found me. The catalyst was fairy hair. Standing slightly miffed in a roped-off spot ten feet back from … Read more
Bernstein, A Simple Song Simplicity is a virtue, the virtue of removing everything extraneous to something in order to reveal its true essence. After enduring the hoopla of the Super Bowl this week, I’m convinced it is mostly a forgotten virtue. I remember a lecture … Read more
In an interview conducted via Skype yesterday, I learned the real reason why Brian Shaw, trumpet player extraordinaire and professor of music at LSU, took up his instrument. His story illustrates a number of things, including what frequently happens when children begin to play in … Read more
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Driving back home from Dallas recently, Professor Carol reached into her bag of road toys and put on a recording of Till Eulenspiegel. She played this particular recording, by Maestro Classics with commentary for children, primarily for our granddaughter. Of … Read more
Okay, it’s not really Episode 37, although I do weave nostalgia into much of what I write. Still, sometimes I cannot resist hitting the topic squarely, like today. So here it goes. I couldn’t believe it. For twenty minutes I thought I was twelve years … Read more