Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

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About dannyashkenasi

I'm a composer with over 40 years experience creating music theater. I'm also an actor, writer, director, producer, teacher and general enthusiast for the arts.

BRAZIL – The Black & Brown Waters of the Amazon

Posted on August 3, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Pink Martini Welcome to Brazil.  Today we look at the waters of the Amazon, first at Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, where the brown waters of the Amazon, flowing in from the West and Southwest, … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Big Brazil August Adventure is about to Recommence!

Posted on July 30, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

BRAZIL Four years ago Ed and I spent a fantastic August touring Brazil.  This month we do it again.  Which means Notes from a Composer is going to go all out on a Brazil themed Two-Fisted Touristing series all month … Continue reading →

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Subway Motion Animation

Posted on July 30, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Look at the video below.  This sight thrills me every time I am on a Brooklyn subway train heading towards the Manhattan bridge.  I think of it as Subway Motion Animation:       The video clip above was taken … Continue reading →

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The Many Voices of Marni Nixon

Posted on July 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Marni Nixon passed yesterday.  She had a long, accomplished career as a classically trained singer on the concert and theater stage, but she is most famous for her leading contributions to some of the most famous musicals of Hollywood’s golden … Continue reading →

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NEW YORK NEW YORK in Pieces (of Song and Puzzle)

Posted on July 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Let’s celebrate New York, New York in pieces!  Musical pieces!  Jigsaw puzzle pieces! The first song must be New York, New York of course! What, you thought It’d be Old Blue Eyes’ New York New York?  No worries, I won’t … Continue reading →

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Take a Cool Musical Journey through the Spree Forest Canals during these Dog Days of Summer

Posted on July 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Last July I posted a four part series on the Spreewald, or Spree Forest (one, two, three, four), the fabulous “rural Venice” an hour south of Berlin, Germany.  The series included an elaborate photo tour of the region, and music … Continue reading →

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Ian Mckellen’s richly detailed and historically edifying “It Got Better” video

Posted on July 18, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

We’ve come a long way. @IanMckellen tells his @It_Got_Better storyhttps://t.co/7XBpAsvHGW — L Studio (@LStudio) July 18, 2016   Pretty cool video, an inspiring must see. And not that it really matters, but Sir Ian and I share the same birthday, … Continue reading →

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LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI – a mini musical adaptation

Posted on July 15, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  I recently created the TWAIN page, where you can read about stories and listen to musical excerpts from my Mark Twain musical comedy beTwixt, beTween & beTWAIN.  Below I will reproduce a complete scene from the musical, the mini-adaptation … Continue reading →

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The 23rd Evocation for Viola and Piano on the Occasion of Edward’s 57th Birthday.

Posted on July 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Today that handsome fellow pictured above, who also just happens to be my sainted husband, Edward Elder, turns 57.  And, as has become tradition in our 23 years plus together, one of the birthday presents he receives from me … Continue reading →

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SINGING HAMILTON IN CARS

Posted on July 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Celebrities, Politicos, Soccer-Moms and Babies gettin’ their Alexander on! Exploring the intermittently sublime sub-sub-sub genre of singing along to Hamilton while riding in a car!   Above is the famous Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke starring James Corden and Lin-Manuel … Continue reading →

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Introducing the MARK TWAIN MUSICAL Page

Posted on July 5, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  It’s been a while since I’ve built a new permanent page on Notes from a Composer.  See the black banner border above?  Where you can access the following pages, or skip to the following content: Home Bio Credits & … Continue reading →

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MARCHING WITH THE QUAKERS – A NYC Pride Parade Photo Diary

Posted on June 28, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Sunday, June 26, was Pride Day in New York City.  Close to 2 million people watched hundreds of thousands of marchers within about 485 contingents (groups and floats) make their way down 5th avenue, 8th Street and Christopher street, from … Continue reading →

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HAPPY PRIDE DAY – One Year to the Day Our Day Had Come

Posted on June 26, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Happy Pride Day, everybody.  Today is the Last Sunday in June, when New York City commemorates the birth of the modern Gay Rights Movement and the 1969 Stonewall riots with our Pride Parade and Festivities.  Ed and I will be … Continue reading →

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So, Apparently the Corpse of Harry Potter Washed Up on a Beach

Posted on June 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

SPOILER AND ODOR ALERT: The following contains details of the movie Swiss Army Man, starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, as well as of the Harry Potter series which many will consider spoilers.  As well as ghastly many references to … Continue reading →

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WIN A MUSICAL DOWNLOAD!

Posted on June 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

OK, I’m feeling a little silly and in the mood for a puzzle.   I just posted this tweet: “I finished a composition la la la la Part of a cycle 23 years (& counting) in the making la la … Continue reading →

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WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE – Broadway for Orlando Charity Single – updated

Posted on June 20, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The Broadway community has gathered together to produce a charity single to honor the victims of the Orlando massacre.  They have given the Bacharach/David classic “What the World Needs Now is Love” the “We are the World” treatment, and the … Continue reading →

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