Robert Greenberg
Historian, Composer, Pianist, Speaker, Author
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Dr. Bob Prescribes: The Buddy Rich Big Band
August 20th, 2019
Buddy Rich, circa 1968 A confession: when it comes to jazz bands large and small, I generally dislike drum solos. My bad; color me a bore. But here’s the thing: if I buy a Keith Jarrett album, for example, I want to hear Keith Jarrett and not, with all due respect to the brilliant drummer Jack DeJohnette, extended drum solos. Speaking generally, I find most drum solos to be monochromatic, lacking - as they do…
Music History Monday: The Gig of a Lifetime!
August 19th, 2019
Monteverdi (1567-1643) in 1630, painted by Bernardo Strozzi On August 19, 1613 – 406 years ago today - Claudio Monteverdi was appointed Maestro di Capella di San Marco: the director of music at Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica. It was the gig of a lifetime! There’s no doubt about it: Claudio Monteverdi was one of the…
Dr. Bob Prescribes: Galina Ustvolskaya
August 13th, 2019
I have been appointed the “dramaturge” (or “dramaturg”) of The Phoenix Symphony (TPS). As far as Scrabble words go, “dramaturge” isn’t worth a whole lot: just 14 points barring any Premium Squares (which double or triple the value of letters or words). It is, however, a rather more useful crossword puzzle word, with or without…
Music History Monday: John Cage, we miss you
August 12th, 2019
John Milton Cage (September 5, 1912 to August 12, 1992) On August 12, 1992 – 27 years ago today – the American composer, inventor, philosopher, facilitator, agent provocateur, shaman, clown, and guru, John Cage died in New York City at the age of 79. Background. My May 14, 2019 Dr. Bob Prescribes post (which can… Robert Greenberg | Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved