Dmitri Shostakovich - The Second Waltz - His music and his life

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) was a Russian composer and pianist and was one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century.

Life and Music 

Despite Shostakovich's exceptional talent, it was not until he was nine that he received his first formal piano lessons from his mother, a professional pianist. 

In 1919, composer Alexander Glazunov considered the young Shostakovich ready to begin his studies at the Petrograd Conservatory, where he was director. 

The 19-year-old Shostakovich produced a First Symphony that is an astonishing act of creative prodigy. 

In 1936, Stalin attended a performance of Shostakovich's operatic grotesquerie, Lady Macbeth of the Mtensk District. Dismayed by its lack of positivist flag-saving, the state newspaper, Pravda, slated this "bedlam of noise". 

With the gun of the Soviet regime pointed at his head - and Stalin's finger effectively on the trigger - Shostakovich knew he had to produce a surefire winner. 

The Fifth Symphony, with its universal message of triumph achieved out of adversity, was exactly what the State wanted, and it made him a public hero. 

In 1948, several composers, including Shostakovich and Prokofiev, were hauled over the coals by Pravda for "decadent formalism". 

In 1953 Shostakovich also composed his masterly Tenth Symphony, written - although no one was aware of it at the time - as a reaction against the Stalinist regime, and in the case of the vitriolic Scherzo, a sardonic portrait of Stalin. 

The constant psychological torture had taken its toll, and it seems that in 1960, following the completion of his Eighth String Quartet, Shostakovich contemplated suicide. In 1966 he suffered a heart attack from which he never fully recovered, and which hastened a preoccupation with death which is tangibly realised in his angst-ridden Fourteenth Symphony. 

Shostakovich died a broken man. 

Did you know? 

One of Shostakovich's songs was sung by the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin over the radio from his spacecraft to Mission Control down on earth.

WE HAD TODAY (from the Movie "One Day")

2,852 views  Jun 28, 2022  My version of " WE HAVE TODAY" by Rachel Portman. From the Movie "One Day"

arranged and played by Giorgio "Jorjo" Radaelli

Frank Sinatra - My Way (Live At Madison Square Garden, New York City / 1...

HIT-STORY: ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra

Published August 24, 2022, 2:22 PM

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

Released in March 1969, singer Paul Anka wrote the hit ballad “My Way” with crooner Frank Sinatra on his mind.

In 1968, Frank hinted to Paul that he was ready to bid showbiz goodbye.

“Kid, I’m fed up. I’m gonna do one more album, and then I’m out of here. You never wrote me that song you always promised. Don’t take too long,” said Frank, 51, to Paul, then 25, in a book entitled “The Life of A Song.”

One sleepless night, Paul sat down at a piano and sensed himself becoming Frank.

“That’s how I got the first line: ‘And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain’ I thought of him leaving the stage, the lights going out, and started typing like a madman, writing it just the way he talked: “Ate it up…spit it out.”

Paul finished writing the song at 5 a.m. He immediately called Frank to inform him about the song. “When I played the song for him, he said: “That’s kooky, kid. We’re going in.”

These days, “My Way” is still also one of the favorite karaoke songs around the world.

In the Philippines, at least 12 people were shot dead following altercations over the song from 2002 and 2012, according to the book.

In 2016, the UK’s Co-op funeral company revealed that “My Way” is now UK’s most popular choice of funeral song.

Frank passed away on May 14, 1998. He was 82. But “My Way” was never played at his funeral.

The complete lyrics to the song “My Way”:

“My Way”

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I’ll say it clear

I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried

I’ve had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way

Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows

I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes, it was my way.

(Courtesy of azlyrics.com)

Skyline Pigeon (Piano Version)

Harry Belafonte & Nana Mouskouri,Try to remember

~ Waltz of Roses ~ Eugen Doga - Gramofon¨¨˜"°º★¸.•´★¸.•*´¨)

Eugen Doga (born 1 March 1937) is a Romanian and Russian composer from the Republic of Moldova.

A creator of three ballets "Luceafărul", "Venancia", "Queen Margot", the opera "Dialogues of Love", more than 100 instrumental and choral works – symphonies, 6 quartets, "Requiem", church music, and other, plus music for 13 plays, radio shows, more than 200 movies, more than 260 songs and romances, more than 70 waltzes; he is also the author of works for children, the music for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in 1980 in Moscow.

In Moldova, the years 2007 and 2017 (when the composer celebrated his 70th and 80th birthdays, respectively) were declared the Year of Eugen Doga. Chișinău's main pedestrianised thoroughfare has been named Eugen Doga Street in his honour.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (Geneva) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in music awarded him with a special certificate in 2007

Since 1972 with his concerts he has traveled all over the territory of the former Soviet Union, also some foreign countries.

"The image of the person is defined by his deeds that ultimately benefit people and society. And the concerts that I give in Chișinău, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kursk or Bucharest, are aimed at precisely this idea of bringing people together, preserving the ideals that make people kinder, more tolerant, that make flowers bloom, and the sun shine brighter,"- says Eugen Doga.

Eugen Doga's concerts took place in the biggest concert halls. They "gathered huge audiences", and they still do so today. "...There were so many offenses because of Eugen Doga's concerts; people just did not want to talk to me. They told me: "I have been asking you for three years, and you can't arrange Eugen Doga's concert." And I really couldn't, because he was very busy. In Leningrad there was a concert orchestra conducted by Anatoly Badhen, a wonderful orchestra, unequaled in the Soviet Union, which played high-quality music. This orchestra for many years gave a lot of concerts with Eugen Doga's music everywhere, throughout the Soviet Union" – Mikhail Murzak. Philharmonic Director of Chișinău (1972–1988 years).

His music was performed by the Choir of TV and radio Moldova, the Russian state Symphony orchestra of cinematography, Academic Choir "Doina", The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra,the Moscow chamber orchestra "The seasons", Leningrad Concert Orchestra,Academic Grand choir "Masters of choral singing", Orchestra of the Moldavian Philharmonic "Sergei Lonkevich", Moscow city Symphony orchestra "Russian Philharmonic", The national Symphony orchestra of the public company "Teleradio-Moldova", the Presidential orchestra of the Republic of Moldova, Children's choir "Liya Ciocarlia", Large children's choir of the USSR Gosteleradio, Orchestra of the Romanian National Opera Ias and other groups.

(HD 720p) "Autumn Rose" by Ernesto Cortazar - His music and his life

Ernesto Cortazar II was born in Mexico City into a family of composers. Ernesto's father, Ernesto Cortazar Sr., was an accomplished composer respected in his field and was named president of the Society of Authors and Composers.

When Ernesto Cortazar II was 13 he tragically lost both of his parents in a horrible auto accident. Despite tragedy Ernesto preceded with his intense studies by attending a music academy, and by age 17, he began scoring for movies.

At age 18, Ernesto completed his very first musical score for the motion picture "La Risa de la Ciudad". The main musical composition for this film was Ernesto's piano piece titled "River of Dreams." With this film, Ernesto Cortazar won the award for Best Background Music for a Latin American Film at The Cartagena Festival. Since then, Ernesto has composed musical scores for more than 500 motion pictures.

Ernesto traveled to more than 25 countries and performed his original compositions for political figures such as President Menem of Argentina, Nikita Krushev of the USSR and entertained in such prestigious venues including The Kremlin (USSR) and The Mexican Presidential House.

Ernesto's incredible performance was requested and enjoyed by many of Hollywood's biggest celebrities including Charlton Heston, Danny de Vito, Michael Bolton, Octavio Paz, and The Rolling Stones.

Ernesto Cortazar found even bigger fame being the #1 artist on the #1 music website in the world. Out of 130,000 artists Ernesto leaded the way with over 14,000,000 downloads to his compositions on MP3.com fromm 1999 to 2001 and his sites were visited for more than 4,000,000 viewers.

Including the U.S., Ernesto sold over 30,000 CD's to 69 countries without any record label, management company or agency.

In 2001, Ernesto moved from Los Angeles to Tampico, Mexico to live his last years near his family. Ernesto Cortazar II died in 2004 but his legacy remains with his music and his two sons, Ernesto Cortazar III and Edgar Cortazar, who are succesfull songwriters on the Latin Market.

Deutscher Jazzmusiker Rolf Kühn gestorben

Rolf Kühn galt als einer der wenigen deutschen Jazzmusiker von internationalem Ruf.

Er spielte mit Benny Goodman, John Coltrane und Chick Corea, leitete das NDR-Fernsehorchester und komponierte zudem die Musik zahlreicher Filme. 

Der Jazzmusiker Rolf Kühn ist tot. Er starb im Alter von 92 Jahren in Berlin, wie die Familie, die Agentur und die Plattenfirma des Klarinettisten am Montag bekannt gaben. Kühn galt als einer der wenigen deutschen Jazzmusiker von internationalem Ruf. Der gebürtige Kölner spielte mit Benny Goodman, John Coltrane und Chick Corea und gründete mehrere Bands. Kühn leitete das NDR-Fernsehorchester und war Musikalischer Leiter im Berliner Theater des Westens. Neben seinen Alben komponierte Kühn zahlreiche Film- und Fernsehmusiken.

In den nächsten Monaten sollte der Klarinettist noch in mehreren deutschen Städten Konzerte geben, unter anderem mit seinem Bruder, dem Jazz-Pianisten Joachim Kühn. Rolf Kühn starb den Angaben zufolge am 18. August.

„Rolf wird immer als der inspirierende, sanfte, innovative und jung gebliebene Künstler und Mensch in Erinnerung bleiben, der er war“, teilten Kühns Ehefrau Melanie, sein Bruder sowie die Agentur Jazzhaus Artists und das Label Edel/MPS mit. „Er lebte ein erfülltes Leben, das bis zu seinem letzten Tag der Musik, der Kultur und der Freude gewidmet war.“

Quelle: dpa/Gregor Fischer

Jules Massenet / Thais / Meditation - His music and his life

Alternate titles: Jules-Émile-Frédéric Massenet

Born: May 12, 1842 France

Died: August 13, 1912 (aged 70) Paris France

Jules Massenet, in full Jules-Émile-Frédéric Massenet, (born May 12, 1842, Montaud, near Saint-Étienne, France—died August 13, 1912, Paris), leading French opera composer, whose music is admired for its lyricism, sensuality, occasional sentimentality, and theatrical aptness.

The son of an ironmaster, Massenet entered the Paris Conservatoire at age 11, subsequently studying composition under the noted opera composer Ambroise Thomas. In 1863 he won the Prix de Rome with his cantata David Rizzio. With the production in 1867 of his opera La Grand’ Tante (The Great Aunt), he embarked on a career as a composer of operas and incidental music. His 24 operas are characterized by a graceful, thoroughly French melodic style. Manon (1884; after Antoine-François, Abbé Prévost d’Exiles) is considered by many to be his masterpiece. The opera, marked by sensuous melody and skilled personification, uses leitmotifs to identify and characterize the protagonists and their emotions. In the recitatives (dialogue) it employs the unusual device of spoken words over a light orchestral accompaniment. Also among his finest and most successful operas are Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame (1902), Werther (1892; after J.W. von Goethe), and Thaïs (1894). The famous “Méditation” for violin and orchestra from Thaïs remains part of the standard violin repertory.

Several of Massenet’s operas reflect the succession of contemporary operatic fashions. Thus, Le Cid (1885) has the characteristics of French grand opera; Le Roi de Lahore (1877; The King of Lahore) reflects the Orientalism—a fascination with Asian exotica—that was also prevalent in the 19th-century European and American art market; Esclarmonde (1889) shows the influence of Richard Wagner; and La Navarraise (1894; The Woman of Navarre) is influenced by the end-of-the-century style of verismo, or realism. Also prominent among Massenet’s operas are Hérodiade (1881) and Don Quichotte (1910).

Of Massenet’s incidental music, particularly notable is that for Leconte de Lisle’s play Les Érinnyes (1873; The Furies), which contains the widely performed song “Élégie.” In 1873 he also produced his oratorio, Marie-Magdeleine, later performed as an opera. This work exemplifies the mingling of religious feeling and eroticism often found in Massenet’s music. Massenet also composed more than 200 songs, a piano concerto, and several orchestral suites.

As a teacher of composition at the Paris Conservatoire from 1878, Massenet was highly influential. His autobiography was entitled Mes Souvenirs (1912; My Recollections).

How I Love You - Engelbert Humperdinck

The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

That's how I grew up. And later during my radio shows with the best of the 60's, 70's, 80's.

Raymond Lefevre & Orchestra - La reine de Saba (Live, 1987) (HQ)

We Praise Thee, O God from Handel's Dettingen Te Deum

Franck Pourcel - Morir de Amor

James Last - Abide With Me

Abide With Me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me. 

Swift to its close ebbs out lifes little day;

Earths joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;

But as Thou dwellst with Thy disciples, Lord,

Familiar, condescending, patient, free.

Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,

But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,

Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—

Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;

And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,

Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,

On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempters power?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is deaths sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

James Last - Abide With Me

Words: Henry Lyte, 1847.