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Philip J. Lang
Philip J. Lang (17 April 1911, in New York – 22 February 1986, in Branford, Connecticut) was an American musical arranger, orchestrator and composer of band music, as well as a musical educator. He is credited for writing the orchestral arrangements (orchestrations) for over 50 Broadway theatre shows, including many landmark productions, such as ''Li'l Abner'' (1956), '' Hello, Dolly!'' (1964), ''Mame'' (1966), ''George M'' (1968), '' Annie'' (1977) and '' 42nd Street'' (1980). Together with Robert Russell Bennett, he orchestrated the record-breaking productions of Lerner and Loewe's ''My Fair Lady'' (1956) and ''Camelot'' (1960). Russell Bennett, the dean of musical orchestrators, remarked that the original arrangements Lang had prepared for '' Annie Get Your Gun'' (1946), which utilized a modern technique of orchestral scoring, were beautifully done. Musical education In 1933 Lang graduated from Ithaca College, which later awarded him an honorary doctorate for his career. He ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Musical Arranger
In music, an arrangement is a musical adaptation of an existing composition. Differences from the original composition may include reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or formal development. Arranging differs from orchestration in that the latter process is limited to the assignment of notes to instruments for performance by an orchestra, concert band, or other musical ensemble. Arranging "involves adding compositional techniques, such as new thematic material for introductions, transitions, or modulations, and endings. Arranging is the art of giving an existing melody musical variety".(Corozine 2002, p. 3) In jazz, a memorized (unwritten) arrangement of a new or pre-existing composition is known as a ''head arrangement''. Classical music Arrangement and transcriptions of classical and serious music go back to the early history of classical music. Eighteenth century J. S. Bach frequently made arrangements of his own and other composers' pieces. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church (Manhattan), Trinity Church in Manhattan, it is the oldest institution of higher education in New York (state), New York and the fifth-First university in the United States, oldest in the United States. Columbia was established as a Colonial colleges, colonial college by royal charter under George II of Great Britain. It was renamed Columbia College (New York), Columbia College in 1784 following the American Revolution, and in 1787 was placed under Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, a private board of trustees headed by former students Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. In 1896, the campus was moved to its current location in Morningside Heights and renamed Columbia University. Columbia is organized into twenty schoo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hoe-down
A hoedown is a type of American folk dance or square dance in duple meter, and also the musical form associated with it. Overview The most popular sense of the term is associated with Americans in rural or southeastern parts of the country, particularly Appalachia. It is a dance in quick movement most likely related to the jig, reel or clog dance. In contest fiddling, a hoedown is a tune in fast 2/4 time. In many contests, fiddlers are required to play a waltz, a hoedown, and a "tune of choice," which must not be a waltz or a hoedown (typically it is a jig or a schottische). In modern western square dance, a hoedown is a piece of music used for a patter call (a call that is spoken or chanted, rather than sung to the tune of a popular song), or the recording that contains this piece of music. In the early days of the Western square dance revival (the 1940s and early 1950s), most hoedowns were traditional fiddle tunes; since the late 1950s, recordings of simple chord progress ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow; September 10, 1908 – February 8, 1994) was an American composer, band leader, pianist and record producer. Known best in his time as a composer of production music, Scott is today regarded as an early pioneer of electronica. Though Scott was never contracted to compose for animation, his music is familiar to millions because Carl Stalling adapted it in over 120 ''Looney Tunes'' and '' Merrie Melodies'' films produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons. His compositions may also be heard in ''The Ren and Stimpy Show'' (which uses Scott's recordings in twelve episodes), ''The Simpsons'', '' Duckman'', ''Animaniacs'', '' The Oblongs'', '' Batfink'', '' Puppetoons'', and ''SpongeBob SquarePants''. The only time he composed to accompany animation was three 20-second commercial jingles for County Fair Bread in 1962. Early life and career Scott was born in Brooklyn, New York to Russian Jewish immigrants, Joseph and Sarah Warnow. His older brother, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anything You Can Do (song)
"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" is a show tune composed by Irving Berlin for the 1946 Broadway musical ''Annie Get Your Gun''. The song is a duet, with one male singer and one female singer attempting to outdo each other in increasingly complex tasks. In the musical, the song sets the scene for the climactic sharpshooting contest between Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. Its most memorable lines are, "Anything you can do, I can do better; I can do anything better than you." The song was first performed in ''Annie Get Your Gun'' by Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. During the song, they argue playfully about who can, for example, sing softer, sing higher, sing sweeter, and hold a note for longer, and boast of their abilities and accomplishments, such as opening safes and living on bread and cheese, although Annie almost always seems to counter Frank's argument. Neither can "bake a pie," though. Notable versions * Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton from original cast recording ( ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jay Blackton
Jay Blackton (March 25, 1909 – January 8, 1994) was an American composer and conductor. In 1956 he won an Academy Award in the category Best Scoring of a Musical Picture for the film ''Oklahoma!'' and was also nominated for ''Guys and Dolls''. He was the music director, orchestrator or arranger for more than 25 Broadway productions and national tours. Born Jay Schwartzdorf in New York City, he studied piano and conducting at the Juilliard School. He began his career in opera, as an assistant conductor at New York Opera Comique and then as the conductor at St. Louis Municipal Opera from 1937 to 1942. In 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein hired him to orchestrate and conduct ''Oklahoma!'' on Broadway, and he followed this engagement as music director and often orchestrator or arranger of such musicals as ''Annie Get Your Gun'', ''Call Me Madam'', ''Guys and Dolls'', '' Hello, Dolly!'' and ''George M!''. In addition, he toured with Bob Hope and others. Blackton died in January 1994 of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Richard Rodgers
Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the best-known American composers of the 20th century, and his compositions had a significant influence on popular music. Rodgers is known for his songwriting partnerships, first with lyricist Lorenz Hart and then with Oscar Hammerstein II. With Hart he wrote musicals throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including ''Pal Joey (musical), Pal Joey'', ''A Connecticut Yankee (musical), A Connecticut Yankee'', ''On Your Toes'' and ''Babes in Arms.'' With Hammerstein he wrote musicals through the 1940s and 1950s, such as ''Oklahoma!'', ''Flower Drum Song'', ''Carousel (musical), Carousel'', ''South Pacific (musical), South Pacific'', ''The King and I'', and ''The Sound of Music''. His collaborations with Hammerstein, in particular, are celebr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann; January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American singer and actress. Known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and her leading roles in musical theatre, musical theater,Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'', February 22, 1984. she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." She performed on Broadway theatre, Broadway in ''Anything Goes'', ''Annie Get Your Gun (musical), Annie Get Your Gun'', ''Gypsy (musical), Gypsy'', and ''Hello, Dolly! (musical), Hello, Dolly!'' She is also known for her film roles in ''Anything Goes (1936 film), Anything Goes'' (1936), ''Call Me Madam (film), Call Me Madam'' (1953), ''There's No Business Like Show Business (film), There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954), and ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' (1963). Among many accolades, she received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in ''Call Me Madam'', a Grammy Award for ''Gypsy'', an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play '' French Without Tears'', in what was his breakthrough role. He won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance as Henry VIII in the Broadway play '' Anne of the Thousand Days'' in 1949. He returned to Broadway portraying Professor Henry Higgins in ''My Fair Lady'' (1956) where he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In addition to his stage career, Harrison also appeared in numerous films. His first starring role was opposite Vivien Leigh in the romantic comedy '' Storm in a Teacup'' (1937). Receiving critical acclaim for his performance in ''Major Barbara'' (1941), which was shot in London during the Blitz, his roles since then included '' Blithe Spirit'' (1945), '' Anna and the King of Siam'' (1946), '' The G ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Gerald R. Ford in 1977. Broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite stated he "helped write the story of this country, capturing the best of who we are and the dreams that shape our lives".Carnegie Hall, May 27, 1988 Irving Berlin's 100th birthday celebration Born in , Berlin arrived in the United States at the age of five. His family l ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ted Royal
Ted Royal ewar'' (6 September 1904, Skedee, Oklahoma - 27 March (?) 1981) was an American orchestrator, conductor and composer for Broadway theatre. He was most active in the 1940s and 1950s, being associated with the very successful original productions of Lerner and Loewe's ''Brigadoon'' and '' Paint Your Wagon''. Together with George Bassman he orchestrated Frank Loesser's ''Guys and Dolls''. The dean of musical orchestrators, Robert Russell Bennett, remembered Royal as "one of Broadway's very special arrangers." Big band days Royal may have also been known in New York under the name of Ted Klinefelter. He majored in music at the University of Kansas and completed further studies in Houston and New York, including a correspondence course in the mathematical musical progressions advanced by the influential theorist Joseph Schillinger, who had also taught George Gershwin. After floating around as a sideman in various minstrel shows, Royal settled down as alto sax in the Ted W ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Don Walker (orchestrator)
Don Walker (October 28, 1907 – September 12, 1989) was a prolific Broadway theatre, Broadway orchestrator, who also composed music for musicals and one film and worked as a conductor in television. Biography Walker was born in Lambertville, New Jersey, Lambertville, New Jersey. He attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Audrey, had a daughter, Anne Liebgold, and a son, David. Walker died in New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1989 at the age of 81.Shepard, Richard F"Don Walker, 81, an Orchestrator of Broadway Musical Comedies" ''The New York Times'', September 13, 1989, accessed July 20, 2009 Career As with many of the other great orchestrators, Walker served a long apprenticeship with Max Dreyfus at Chappell Music's arranging department starting in the 1930s, until he finally went out in business for himself in the early 1950s setting up office in New York City. Among the scores that he orchestrated were those for the popular musicals ''Carousel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
