"Professor"* Peter Schickele has passed away at the fine old age of 88. Dwight has the obit. I ran across his music back at State U, and have enjoyed its very clever music inside baseball ever since.
I hadn't known that he orchestrated Joan Baez's Noel album. I also hadn't known that he won four Grammys.
Schickele, of course, created the P.D.Q. Bach character. One of my favorites is here, "The Art Of The Ground Round". I had this album, Back In The Day.
Rest in peace.
* It seems that he taught at Julliard, so the term isn't clearly wrong.
The world will be a lesser place without him. He truly brought the world of classical music to the masses.
ReplyDeletePeter Schickele actually performed at State U. when I was there, and it was a fun concert. You were just a kid then...
ReplyDeleteHe knew his stuff and enjoyed having fun with the whole classical music genre. Who else would have an instrument named the "sewer flute" with vocals by the OK Chorale?
Just heard a bit he did with Beethoven's Fifth called like a baseball game or football game with play by commentary. It was a hoot.
Yes, RIP, PDQ, you put a lot of smiles on people's faces.
Concerto for Horn and Hardart was probably my favorite piece.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Hansel And Gretel And Ted And Alice, An Opera In One Unnatural Act.
The first time I heard any of this, it was at a friend's home when I was just out of Navy boot camp. He sat me in front of his stereo and put on one of the records... I laughed so hard, I fell out of my chair.
Because...
I played sax, clarinet, and other woodwinds in HS band, and remembered that I would occasionally play a note slightly flat in rehearsal just to watch the reaction of the music teacher. He'd tilt his head, stop us, tell us to begin again at the coda, but the next time I'd play it straight - and watch his reaction again. I still chuckle at the memory.
Until I heard PDQ, I never realized that someone could get an ENTIRE ORCHESTRA to go along with the joke!
Heaven is a happier place today.
Thank you, Mr. Schickele!!
We sang his Christmas songs for high school chorus concerts. All armed with kazoos. Wonderful times and wonderful music!
ReplyDeleteWe also sang his Christmas music. "Throw The Yule Log On Uncle John" remains, for me, a holiday classic.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Professor Peter's musical wit was unparalleled.
ReplyDeleteI remember some of his tunes that we (Spokane Symphony and Chorale) performed - the audience loved it!
We did quite a few of his Christmas "Carols" of which "Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John" was my favorite!
He will be missed.