| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Culture Wars |
| Support our military - and the arts |
| 2007-11-24 |
| In honor of the holiday shopping season, I thought I might make a recommendation of a great CD that I discovered on a recent visit to Washington DC. While there, I took the opportunity to take a short tour on the grounds of the historic Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets SE (free on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m.). This is the home of the United States Marine Band, known as "The President's Own", which have played at every Presidential Inauguration since Jeffersons. The one famously associated with their 17th Director, John Philip Sousa, as well. Later that day I visited a wonderful music store, Melody Record Shop in Dupont Circle. In the classical section, I spotted a CD of arrangements of the music of Charles Ives performed by the very same Marine Band (the main link at the headline). I was happy to see that the CD by the modern and very American Ives was on the Naxos Records label too; because this label puts out a wide variety of music by good musicians at budget prices, I like to support them. Well, I love the CD and can highly recommend it to give to anyone who likes classical music or band music or just good American music. Although Ives music is complex, I can appreciate it without having much musical education. Here and here are two reviews by people who clearly know a bit more about it. While on the subject, if you are buying for someone who enjoys modern classical music, there is a great new book out called The Rest is Noise that is just a fantastic read. It's great for me because, as someone who is self-educated in this field, I tend to know disconnected scraps of information about these composers. This book ties the whole history together so well, makes memorable characters out of these creative geniuses, and gives you some perspective on what these men (mostly) were trying to achieve with this music - some of it very challanging and obscure, some of it popular and well known. It is often sad to see how the careers of these great minds got tangled in the political and ideological struggles of the the twentieth century. I beg the indulgence of the powers that be for submitting a personal essay as an "article" on Rantburg, and hope I have filed this in the proper place (I was somewhat torn between Opinion and Local). I also thought of highlighting the entire thing, but didn't think that would look good. If this sort of post is frowned upon, please let me know. I'd also like to note that I have no personal interest, financial or otherwise, in promoting the CD or the book. Since I have already taken the liberty, I might also ask which are the best charities for our troops for Christmas? I would definitely like to give to one that supports needy families of our military. I also wonder if there are any that provide books because I know that, if I were out there, I would want good books more than almost anything. Thank you everyone and happy holidays. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #2 Thanks, Jack is Back! Those links are just what I was looking for. :-) |
| Posted by: ryuge 2007-11-24 22:07 |
| #1 Ryuge: I too am a classic music fan (Classical, Jazz and Latin is all we have on in our house) and have listened to many Marine Band concerts as part of the summer tatoos held at Jefferson Memorial. I contribute to a number of "troop support" charities. Here are my 3 favorites who I think do the most: Special Operations Warrior Foundation Treats for Troops Spirit of America They are all different and offer different ways to show your support. All are A-One and make a difference. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2007-11-24 12:44 |