It’s Thursday, December 8, 2016, and that means it’s National Brownie Day—a perennially favorite treat, at least in America (I haven’t seen them nearly as ubiquitous in, say, the UK). It’s also Finnish Music Day, honoring the birthday of composer Jean Silbelius (1865-1957). I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of his work, for I’m a classical-music ignoramus.
Wikipedia lists this as happening for the first time in 1660: “A woman (either Margaret Hughes or Anne Marshall) appears on an English public stage for the first time, in the role of Desdemona in a production of Shakespeare’s play Othello.” On this day in 1941, Roosevelt gave his “day of infamy” speech to Congress, immediately after which the U.S. declared war on Japan. On this day in 1980, we lost John Lennon, murdered by Mark David Chapman in New York. Hard to believe he’s been gone 36 years! My theory has always been that Ringo will be the last Beatle to die.
Notables born on this day include Mary, Queen of Scots (1542), Jean Sibelius (see above), James Thurber (1894), Lee J. Cobb (1911), Lucian Freud (1922), one of the few living painters whose work I like, Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925), Jim Morrison (1943, died 1971), Gregg Allman (1947), and Ann Coulter (1961, ↓). Those who died on this day include John Lennon (see above), Marty Robbins (1982), William Shawn (1992), and Martha Tilton (2006). Meanwhile in Dobrzyn,
Hili: It’s essential to have a clear division of labor.A: What do you suggest?Hili: You discuss and I will pronounce who is right.
Hili: Konieczny jest wyraźny podział ról.
Ja: Co proponujesz?
Hili: Wy dyskutujcie, a ja będę orzekać kto ma rację.
Jerry, I know how surprising it can be that time passes so quickly :), but it has been 36 years since the death of John Lennon.
Yes, indeed. I’ve fixed it, thanks!
36, not 26, years that Lennon has been gone
Well Professor (E) I’m sure you’ve heard “Finlandia” or a part of it at least; that was by Jan Sibelios
“My theory has always been that Ringo will be the last Beatle to die.”
I predict that Keith Richards will be the last of the Stones to die – probably about 236 years from now.
Have you seen him lately.? he’s been dead about 50 yrs, just won’t lie down.
Not quite but it’s been close
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/times-keith-richards-almost-died/
And if you look closely at his face you can clearly see that he is fossilizing.
If you’ve watched Die Hard 2 you’ve heard Finlandia by Sibelius, at the end when the planes all come in to land, and through the closing credits. I’d also recommend his fifth symphony: the last movement is one of the most joyous pieces of music ever. The heart just soars.
Or if you’ve seen the cat sequence from Bruno Bozzetto’s Allegro Non Troppo, you’ve heard Sibelius’ Valse triste.
Sibelius’s Finlandia is a lovely piece, well known in part, and in no way a demanding listen.
John Lennon died 36 years ago–even harder to believe.
Ah. The version in my inbox said 26 years, so I was making a tactful correction, but PCC had already caught it.
Lucian Freud died in 2011.
Here’s some Lucien Freud works:
https://goo.gl/sctCRW
A pencil on paper Portrait by him of Pauline Tennant in 1945, was recently sold by Christie’s for £5 Mill.
I think some paintings went for $30 mil or so during his lifetime.
Greg Lake just died
Glad you mentioned you listen to no classical music. I’ve wondered how you manage to travel and eat so much, read and write so much, and have time to sleep. I “waste” a lot of time learning to listen more deeply to classical music.
Incidentally, watch your use of “theory.” Creationists might pick that up and beat you over the head with it.
If you’ve heard Joan Baez sing Finlandia, then you’ve heard music by Jean Sibelius.
(I like a lot of his music, but Finlandia, his best-known composition, doesn’t really do much for me.)
John Glenn, the first US astronaut to orbit the Earth, died today. And so the Mercury 7 are no more. 2016 sure has been a year to remember.
I’m sure you remember him walking out to his Redstone rocket in a shiny silver suit…friendship 7, I think was the name of the rocket…and as the thing rumbled up the voice of launch control saying…”God’s speed, John Glenn”.
What a great, great American hero, nay a world hero. Hundreds of flying combat missions in WWII and Korea, test pilot, oldest man in space with his space shuttle mission, multi-term US senator, happily married for over seventy years, and of course the first American to orbit the earth. Except for walking on the moon, what didn’t he do? Well, he ran for prez and didn’t make it, but Trump did. What does that say about the American people?
“he ran for prez and didn’t make it, but Trump did. What does that say about the American people?”
It says, in America anyone can become president. 😉
That is supposed to be a good thing, right?
Alexander Hamilton didn’t think so.
Yes, he wanted a King.
I thought he was leaning monarchist but wanted a republic with a strong central government. No?
He wanted an “elected monarch.” Sounds like an oxymoron, but there are many examples in history.
Alexander Hamilton didn’t think so.