saw the birth of the great pianist and composer Franz Liszt, perhaps the first real "rock star" of the musical world.
Most know Liszt for his piano music, whether it is fiery technical brilliance of his better known works or the meditative sounds of his later Années de Pèlerinage, although the body of his work was vast, he anticipated aspects of Impressionism, and as a teacher founded a tradition of piano performance that lasted well into the 20th Century.
I am and have always been fond of Liszt, and not because I was a pianist.
I spent 8 summers at National Music Camp as it was then called, at Interlochen Michigan, 1954-60 and 1962. Each camp season ended with a performance of a symphony, usually one of the four by Brahms, although one year Howard Hanson conducted his 2nd, written at Interlochen, from which the site's "Theme" - payed at the end of orchestral and band concerts, including the final one - came.
Between the symphony and the theme would come the Liszt, his 3rd Tone Poem, titled Les Preludes.
As I recuperate from my surgery earlier today, I though I would anticipate the birthday of Liszt (who also died this day in ), and of my older sister Judy, who overlapped with me at Interlochen for 7 of my 8 summers, by sharing this year's performance from what is now Interlochen Arts Camp.
Embedding is disabled, so I can only provide the link. It is their video, 20+ minutes long.
I loved my summers at Interlochen. I was a musician and not a freak by being one, but I also learned to canoe, cook over a fire with a cast iron frying pan, and to play soccer. I made lifelong friends.
The piece is altered slightly, holding the final chord because of the addition of the dancers. Don't let that bother you.
As I listen, my fingers begin to follow the score, the cello part (I played that as well).
And keep listening at the end, through all the applause, for the signature Interlochen Theme.
So allow me to honor Liszt, and wish my sister a happy birthday by sharing this link with you:
http://www.youtube.com/...
Peace.