Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Felsenfeld, Rakowski
Right now I'm listening to luscious vocal duets by Mendelssohn. Once again, I grieve over the composer's premature death. Too bad some 18th century medical experts did not devise an apparatus to transfuse blood from Hector Berlioz to the dying Mendelssohn to revive him with some of the Frenchman's élan vitale. Even had the experiment utterly failed, it would have produced the unintended benefit of cutting short Berlioz' career. The only downside I can see is if Mendelssohn afterwards found himself compelled to wear dresses and assassinate pianists.
(Speaking of Berlioz, can anyone prove to me definitively that he and Edgar Allan Poe are not the same person? Please understand that "they lived on different continents" does not constitute definitive proof.)
I haven't updated my blog roll in a long time, and I suspect there are many omissions. One new composing blogger (or blogging composer) is Daniel Felsenfeld. He found this, and oddly enough, isn't embarrassed to admit it. I regret its vulgarity, but must admit it is very educational. It's by David Rakowski, who is my new hero until the inevitable disillusionment.
Umie the Umlaut says, "ask your doctor about the Fredösphere!"
3 Comments:
Hey, take it easy on Berlioz. Though his career only needs to be long enough for him to write that Requiem. Couldn't we get a transfusion from Chopin for a more Polish-French bloodline instead?
"Even had the experiment utterly failed, it would have produced the unintended benefit of cutting short Berlioz' career."
Though, like Devin, I don't fully agree with that sentiment, that sentence is hilarious and I laughed out loud. Thanks Fred. I needed that.
You need to reconsider your view of Berlioz. I just heard a performance of his orchestral songs, " Summer Nights"' , on a ridiculously cold evening in Boston. Try it , it will change your thinking. As for your low opinion of Haydn, I conclude that you were listening to Arnie Haydn , not Franz Joseph. Listen to Joes' Symphony 102, the Nelson Mass, and 10 string quartets, and call somebody in the morning.
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