Music History Monday

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) in 1896, wearing the Order of Franz Joseph, in a portrait by Josef Büche We mark the birth on September 4, 1824 – 199 years ago today – of the composer and organist Josef...

4 Sep 202325min

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) in 1850, by Henri Lehmann We mark the premiere performance on August 28, 1850 – 173 years ago today – of Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, in the central German city of W...

28 Aug 202321min

Robert Moog (1934-2005) We mark the death on August 21, 2005 – 18 years ago today – of the American engineer and electronic music pioneer Robert Moog. Born in New York City on May 23, 1934, he die...

21 Aug 202324min

If physical appearance had been the criterion, and not the ability to play the drums . . . On August 14, 1962 – 61 years ago today – the manager of the Beatles Brian Epstein made a phone call to th...

14 Aug 202323min

Elvis Presley (1935-1977) wearing his peacock jumpsuit in concert, circa 1974 We mark an online auction that concluded on August 7, 2008 – 15 years ago today – at which Elvis Presley’s white, sweat...

7 Aug 202330min

Before we get to the actual date-related topic for today, I beg your indulgence, as I need to tell you a story. It’s a story that most of you know, at least in part. Again, indulge me. A partial r...

31 Jul 202322min

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) circa 1950 We mark the birth on July 24, 1880 – 143 years ago today – of the Swiss-born American composer and educator Ernest Bloch, who was born in Geneva, Switzerland. H...

24 Jul 202325min

Elaine Stritch (1925-2014) circa 2012: a self-professed “tough old dame” We mark the death on July 17, 2014 – 9 years ago today – of the Broadway and television actress Elaine Stritch, in Birmingha...

17 Jul 202322min