Harper’s Magazine, vol. 94, issue 562, March 1897, p. 655.
Harper’s Magazine, vol. 94, issue 562, March 1897, p. 654.
Harper’s Magazine, vol. 94, issue 562, March 1897, p. 653.
Harper’s Magazine, vol. 94, issue 561, February 1897, p. 493.
Less than a year now before Edward Lear’s 200th birthday. I forgot to post about his birthday this year, but Lear himself did not mention it in his diary for 12 May, he was probably still too depressed after Ann’s death. He had referred to his 48th birthday on 12 May 1859, while visiting Liguria with Giorgio.
I occasionally get enquiries about events planned to celebrate the anniversary and have to admit I do not have much information. I have heard of a few exhibitions which are being prepared, but nothing definite.
If you know of any other events (exhibitions, conferences, books etc.), or have more information on these, please let me know either by e-mail or in the comments. I will keep everybody updated.
It would also be nice to have an online celebration, any ideas?
The Library of Congress has just launched a new site, National Jukebox, which makes historical recordings available. Among the many jewels is also the Haydn Quartet version of “The Owl and the Pussy-cat.”
In a previous post, I had dated this version to 1904, later than a 1902 recording by the Columbia (Peerless) Quartet. If the data on the National Jukebox site is correct, and it sure is the most reliable source I have, this recording was made on 14 September 1901 and so is the earliest.
The site also features a second version, or a new edition of the previous recording, dated 1908, and states that the music was composed by Reginald de Koven, who has several other songs listed.
An interesting note also tells us something ‘regarding the composer of this selection. In 1901 a certain H.W. Cardew copyrighted music for the poem by Edward Lear, but the music on this record is the melody of “The tailors’ chorus” from de Koven’s “Robin Hood,”‘ so the music was not expressly composed for the poem, but rather the poem was adapted to the music. You can listen to a section of tracks from Robin Hood here, but “The Tailors’ Chorus” is not included.
The song must have been quite popular, and the new dating makes it almost certain that this is what Boggs the Optimist sings in the first panel of the 29 December 1901 strip by “Brad” Bradford (click to see the whole strip):
Cardew’s two volumes of Edward Lear arrangements, no performance of which is available as far as I know, are listed in the Musical Scores page. More Archie & Boggs strips are available at Barnacle Press.
I thought I would keep this for Christmas, but since Edward Lear’s Diaries are taking so much of my time and I’m working on a long post I’m sure you will love, here comes:
“Santa Claus, Jr.” by Wallace Irwin, illustrated by Peter Newell, from The Saturday Evening Post of 2 December 1911, p. 22.
Carolyn Wells, “The Provident Centipede.” The Metropolitan Magazine, vol. 22, no. 6, September 1905, p. 751.
Bob Addams, “Two Thumbnail Studies in Un-natural History.” The Metropolitan Magazine, vol. 22, no. 6, September 1905, p. 740.
(Not translated from the Italian)
by Peter Newell
I teach-a da bird an’ a blow-a da ring,
An’ ‘e fly into eet an’ ‘e roost an’ ‘e sing!
An’ whn-a da ring ‘eet is not-a in sight
Da bird ‘e just spread-a ‘ees wing an’ make flight.
From The Metropolitan Magazine, vol. 22, no. 6, September 1905, p. 716.
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