5 study classes at Wylam Institute starts 9:30 a.m. Tuesday 16th October, 2012.
The popular American Songbook was one of the glories of the 20th Century, now sometimes dismissed as “easy listening” or “show tunes”.
The new 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s songs of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers - first written for sheet music, records, theatre, radio, movies – proved enduring for all time.
The lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein, Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, were rich in a word play of everyday speech, flip and witty.
Song is the oldest and most widespread human musical expression, often shared with intense emotion.
Voiced by interpreters as distinctive as Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, these songs carried life’s experiences: infatuation, rejection, anger, joy, tenderness, seasons of youth and age, gospel fervour … entertainment.
Was that musical form something more substantial?
In a weekly 2-hour group we will critically listen, to consider the melodic and rhythmic roots, but also discuss the pleasures and the worldwide significance for audiences then and now.
To enrol: telephone evenings (01661) 852 632 or email directly rguariento@btinternet.com.
Ron Guariento.
why can't someone in York do this?
ReplyDeleteLiz