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July 28, 2016:

MUSIQUE FRANCAISE

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, as you know I occasionally wax on about some of my favorite American classical composers and occasionally I wax on about my favorite English composers, so how’s about I wax on about a few of my favorite French composers and I think I’ll start with one who is not known by many here but should be – Jean-Michel Damase. Actually I wrote about him right in these here notes back in January when I got a new CD of his music and I praised it but not nearly enough. So, I’m praising it again because one cannot praise enough when it involves beautiful, tonal music. I discovered Damase on LP in the late 70s and fell in love with his music. I bought the handful of CDs that had stuff by him, most for harp and flute – just beautiful music. Then there was an album of chamber music on the ASV label, which I must find in the closet. And recently, back in January, I got this CD of his piano concerto, a symphony, and other music – it’s really fantastic and highly recommended by the likes of me. Here’s a handy dandy link to see what it is.

https://www.amazon.com/Jean-Michel-Damase-Symphonie-Concertino-orchestra/dp/B00LPFWCYQ/ref=sr_1_14?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1469691073&sr=1-14&keywords=jean+michel+damase

He also wrote a couple of delightful operettas, and I just wish there were more albums of his music. I’ll take on some other French composers over the next few days, but I just love Damase, so there you are.

Yesterday, our rehearsal was cancelled. I got eight hours of sleep, got up, and did some work on the ALS show, after which I went to Jerry’s Deli to meet and lunch with our very own Robert Yacko. He was asked to do a cabaret act, and so I’ll be helping him figure it out and I’ll direct it – I’ve been working with him for three years now and especially after the LA show we just really have good shorthand. It was a very long and fun lunch and meeting. I had my usual salad with red wine vinegar and a bagel. After that, I came home to find the pool remote had been fixed, so that’s good. Then I had some telephonic calls, and did more work on the computer. Then I did a two-and-a-half mile jog.   After that, I sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Silk Stockings. I’ve never really cared for the movie, don’t really like many of the Cole Porter songs, but I thought I’d take a chance on the new Blu-ray. I still don’t care for it much, but the dancing is fun, and Cyd Charisse has a couple of dance things that are lovely. Fred Astaire, whose last musical film this was (until he was coerced to do Finian’s Rainbow, in which he really doesn’t dance), is his usual fun self and he has a couple of okay numbers but nothing that approaches his classic dances. I’d read some nice things about the transfer but I found it lackluster and a bit of a disappointment. Color frequently leans too brown (other parts look okay), but the sound is nice and robust. If you love it, you’ll probably be fine with this Blu-ray from Warner Archive.

After that, for my evening snack I heated up two 120-calorie tortillas and put a little low-cal cheese in them and ate them all up. Then I had a lovely conversation with John Lloyd Young’s manager – he’ll be singing two numbers in the ALS show – Unchained Melody and to close the show, Sherry. Then I did more work on the computer, accompanied by the music of Jean-Michel Damase.

Today, I think I’ll try to get up early enough to do the jog in the morning. At noon I have a work session for the Kritzerland show – that will probably last an hour. Then I’ll do some work on the ALS show (really in structuring mode right now) and am hoping for maybe some very good news involving a performer I’m trying to get. Then at three-thirty I’ll hopefully pick up some packages then mosey on over to the rehearsal space for our four o’clock band rehearsal and then run of the entire show for the Sterling concert on Sunday. This is our last time together until show day, so I’m hoping we finish with about thirty minutes to spare so I can give some notes and do a bit of staging. After that, I’m going to the Coral Café for dinner with friends.

Tomorrow, I have to do the drive over the hill to pick something up, then I’ll come back to the Valley, where I may or may not have a lunch meeting in Pasadena – I’ll find out about that today. I’ve also been invited to see a show in Glendale and I think I may just do that. Saturday, I’m going to see Robert Yacko in Hello, Dolly in Fullerton and I’ll be lunching prior to the show. I’ll come right home afterwards and relax. Sunday I’ll be at The Federal from about three on and we’ll do sound check, I’ll sup, and then it’s show time. And the following day we begin our Kritzerland rehearsals.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, have a work session, have a band rehearsal, have a run-through, give notes, and then finally sup. Today’s topic of discussion: Who are your favorite French classical composers? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to give a shout out to some French composers.

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