Category Archives: Literary Lyricism

The music in great literature, or great literature adapted to music.

An ORPHAN MELODY is remembered in POMPEII

Posted on July 30, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

Mark Twain.  Pompeii.  An orphan melody.  What connects these three disparate things? Wait, what do I mean by an orphan melody? A week ago Ed plunked the latest Smithsonian magazine next to my breakfast dishes and pointed to its front … Continue reading →

Posted in Beginnings, Literary Lyricism, Musicabilia, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An appreciation of E. L. DOCTOROW and RAGTIME, the book and the musical

Posted on July 22, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

E. L. Doctorow, one of the giants of contemporary literature has passed.  I have read nine of his twelve books, a ratio and record I have equaled in passion and loyalty with only two other contemporary authors, John Irving and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Literary Lyricism, Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music of Ian McKellen reciting Shakespeare (hear! hear! right here!)

Posted on July 20, 2015 by dannyashkenasi

Ian McKellen just quoted Shakespeare to make a strong point about Immigration. Marc Maron interviewed Ian McKellen on the WTF podcast.  Maron confessed he had trouble understanding Shakespeare, and McKellen suggested Moran may have not yet heard Shakespeare spoken by … Continue reading →

Posted in Literary Lyricism, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments