The Ormandy Papers at University of Pennsylvania

I first saw him when I was a small boy, and my parents had just presented me with a set of new encyclopedias that would help me once I started the first grade at school. I was thumbing through the wonderfully bound books, unable to read of course, but intensely checking out the pictures.

Eventually I came across a page that showed a bald headed man apparently demonstrating the various moves of an orchestra conductor. He looked friendly to me. When I asked my mother who that man was, and what was he doing, she said it was Eugene Ormandy and that he was demonstrating the various techniques conductors use to indicate they want certain sounds from the musicians.

Well, I was already familiar with at least some of that through my church. The church in which I grew up was a fairly formal church although it was and still is part of the evangelical movement, Baptist in particular. The choir had some of the best singers in town, and its director, organist, and pianist were top notch. I feel fortunate in that regard -- to have had the opportunity to grow up in a church where some of the world's most timeless sacred music was performed.

I had also begun to take piano lessons at my parents' insistence, much to my dismay. The organist at church also gave private lessons. I was at the age where boys are normally more interested in baseball, football, and such, and I did not want to take piano, at least not at that particular time. But as you can imagine I lost out, and off to piano lessons I went. I stayed long enough to have my first recital before an audience, albeit a small one, in the home of the piano teacher.

So, there was something already there within me drawing me into the world of Ormandy and symphony orchestras. I remember coming home from church and imitating the choir director, pretending that I was directing the music. It was fun to me. And as time passed by, it became Ormandy that I imitated.

In no time after I started to school and began to read, I began to consume everything I could get my hands on about Ormandy. I learned that he was considered the foremost conductor in the world, and that he conducted what was considered at the time to be the foremost orchestra in the world, the Philadelphia Orchestra. This fascination with Ormandy and the Philadelphians continued as I grew into adulthood. In the intervening years I had purchased as much of their music as I could afford.

Later, as a young man I traveled to New York City on a regular basis. I had some connection at the time with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and found myself serving as a member of his "Foundation for Christian Living." I also had met some friends from Canada who were part of this venture, and at times I traveled to Canada to see them. During my trips I would make it a point to pass through Philadelphia on the evenings that Ormandy presented his weekly concerts at the old Academy of Music on South Broad Street. The old building has been refurbished to its original splendor, they tell me, and it is listed in the registry of historic buildings.

As a young man just starting out in life I could not afford the premium seats but Ormandy wanted anyone to be able to come to the concerts. So, a section was maintained that I called "the cheap seats." But I didn't care. I got to see "my conductor" and "my orchestra." Nothing cheap about that.

When Ormandy died in 1985, his wife Margaret, who was known as "Gretel," offered to donate all of her husband's papers, correspondence, conductor's scores, recorded music, and other historic documents to the University of Pennsylvania, if they could consider building an Ormandy memorial. This was done with the help and support of Ormandy's many friends and supporters. Thus, the papers can now be accessed at the University of Pennsylvania. They are also available online.

One interesting tidbit I learned about Ormandy was the surprising expanse of his influence. Albert Einstein, the scientific genius, was a fan. He once wrote to Ormandy about a musician he knew in Europe who was having trouble with obtaining a visa. Einstein wanted to know if Ormandy would help. That, he did.

And simply attending a concert at the Academy was in itself a lesson of "who's who in the world." Hardly a concert went by that someone of world significance was not in attendance, including presidents, queens, prime ministers, and movers and shakers in business, science, the arts, and politics. This was the Ormandy influence.

The concert video that you can watch below is from 1963. As you can see, Ormandy is much younger and much more vigorous than what I have been posting thus far. He was vigorous in his approach, though not intrusive in his antics. He stayed in place, he did not dance around as some conductors today do, but he made no secret about what he wanted by his facial expressions and hand and arm movements.

Ormandy once dislocated his shoulder while conducting a piece, and his doctor warned him to take it easier, advice which he ignored until just a couple of years before his retirement.

The other thing that is remarkable about this video is that Ormandy is conducting this piece a relatively short time after he and his wife were involved in a serious auto accident that nearly took their lives. You would never know it here, however. From the time of the accident onward he experienced excruciating pain in his hip. Eventually in 1970 he had hip replacement surgery, but the pain never fully went away. Still, you would never know it.

This piece is Beethoven's Eighth Symphony and was performed with Eugene Ormandy as guest conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic in Austria in 1963. Beethoven's music is so deeply emotional that you will see a wide range of emotion on Ormandy's face. Beethoven liked vigorous, booming, pulsating sounds, and when Ormandy is drawing forth these sounds at the beginning he looks angry. Of course, some music critics claim that Beethoven was, indeed, angry when he wrote many of his works. But then, Beethoven could change on a dime and move into some of the most beautiful tones imaginable. You will see Ormandy move with it, with his characteristic smiles, sometimes with an impish grin as he lifts his finger to his lips to tell the musicians to quieten down and "shhhh."

By the way, attached to this video is another treasure of historic significance. Here Ormandy also performs Mozart with the Vienna Philharmonic, but there is a special treat that I did not realize was on this particular video. I had seen this on other video and had planned to do a post just on it. This is Rudolf Serkin on the piano. Needless to say it is out of this world. To my way of thinking, Serkin ranks right up there with Horowitz, Rubinstein, Rachmoninoff, and others who were considered the best of the 20th century. Serkin was truly a treasure as you can see here after the Beethoven piece is finished.

This video to me is a treasure. An historic recording of an historic piece of music, written by a musical genius, and conducted by another musical genius. Enjoy...

Republican betrayal on key issues raises questions

Many Americans, including Tea Party conservatives, independents, and libertarians, are beginning to question whether or not Republicans can actually succeed this year in ousting the Democrats from control of the Senate and maintain a majority in the House. Two key issues are at the heart of the discontent -- Obamacare and immigration reform.

Click here to continue.

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/29/2014

My Daily Kona has a gun rights redux to counter anti-gun propaganda in response to the latest shooting. Read it all, and remember, "I once saw a movie where only the police and military had guns. It is called 'Schindler's List.'"

The Lonely Libertarian says "they knew what they were doing" in reference to the Framers. Here she quotes George Washington on the subject of gun rights.

The Miller notes some Glock updates to consider.

Bergheim Follies reports that something we all have been paying for without our knowledge will be going away Friday, thanks to Barack Obama. Be sure to read the whole thing. 

David Codrea highlights the fact that a news team dropped all pretense of being objective and unbiased when it comes to reporting "gun violence awareness" month.

An NC Gun Blog points to a news story involving the stabbing of a security guard. Interesting. Very interesting.

In the Middle of the Right says that actually we ALL are partially to blame for the VA debacle.

JulieG provides a report on the NRA Bianchi Cup.

WRSA states the obvious although we are prone to forget it -- evil is the motive of evil.

Arms Are the Mark of a Free Man blogs on the notion that we can have "reasonable discussions" with those who wish to deprive us of our gun rights. No! They lie incessantly. You cannot negotiate with barefaced liars. And it is futile to talk to them.

Interned in Northfield has info concerning concealed carry permits in Minnesota.

From Gun Free Zone: "Gun Control, Brazilian Style."

Heels and Handguns blogs on shooting with a bipod.

Mike Vanderboegh fired off a letter to an LA Times writer after he called for all guns to be outright banned.

The Warrior Class says that the Left continues with its self-destruction.

Tekmage's Blog reports that Massachusetts is up to no good again with regard to gun rights.

Way Up North warns that Obama and the Bloomberg gang is trying again to take our gun rights from us.

CLO presents a warning from the Second Amendment Foundation concerning Alan Gottlieb.

Alphecca alerts us to an attempt by Congressional Democrats to sneak in some gun control into a spending bill. Watch 'em closely folks. Scumbags are all about the ends justifying the means.

Traction Control lists and shows his latest additions to his inventory at his gun store. Take a look!

Kurt Hofmann declares the plain truth about Dr. Ben Carson. He cannot be trusted on the issue of gun rights.

Smoking gun reveals Obama use of military against US citizens

Excerpt:

According to the administration, the original objective was aimed toward the fight against terrorism around the world and included language that allowed the military to pursue and "take out" confirmed terrorists on U.S. soil, even if they are American citizens. But the tweaked version that Obama officially endorsed vastly expanded the scope of the directive, allowing for the killing of U.S. citizens on American soil during times of civil unrest or vast discontent among the population toward the federal government. Thus, the bulk of the directive has nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism. That issue is dealt with in the Patriot Act. This directive is aimed at domestic uprisings by citizens who wish to express their outrage at the actions of the federal government -- a time honored tradition in this free society. 

Click here to read the whole thing.

Propaganda fest means gun rights activists must turn up heat

Excerpt:

Ordinary citizens do not commit crimes with guns. Yet these are precisely the ones who will pay for crimes they did not commit by being forced to give up their firearms. Criminals and the insane will get guns one way or another. We don't call them criminals because they are nice, well-respected citizens who obey the law.

Citizens in America by and large want the right to keep and bear arms, even many who are pacifists at heart. They want to be able to go to bed at night knowing that their fellow citizens are armed to the hilt. And here is the reason in the words of one self-described pacifist:

Click here to read the whole thing.

The Gun Rights and Liberty News Roundup for 5/27/2014

Mike Vanderboegh points to commentary about the mass murderer in California -- commentary that's well worth reading.

Kurt Hofmann says that a CNN analyst declared that countless restrictions on the Second Amendment are acceptable and constitutional. What a wacko.

David Codrea reports that cemeteries across the country denied access to surviving Memorial Day mourners. That is downright obscene.

WRSA posts a must-read on the growing menace of American totalitarianism. Don't pass this one up!

The War on Guns points out that a candidate has declared for the legislature, who represents a ray of hope for Connecticut. Those of you who live in that area, read this so you can find out more about him. He appears to be a staunch defender of the 2A.

Stand Up America shares that after a six-year hiatus under Obama, the DOJ is going to conduct a count of all federal weapons. This is after a massive buy up of guns and ammo, which are being used by every federal agency in the executive branch. But how can we trust the numbers under Eric Holder's DOJ??!!

Brigid announces that her new book, The Book of Barkley, is now in production and should be available in bookstores, online and by ebooks by early summer. Congrats, Brigid!

Tam issues a sharply worded message for those who scream for more mental health screening and treatment while at the same time condemning such things on other issues.

Way Up North has the good news and the bad news concerning Alaska's raging wildfires.

Traction Control says to stop giving these mass murderers exactly what they want. Be sure to follow the link he provides.

The Wandering Minstrel notes that Arizona is still top-ranked for gun rights.

Pamela Geller reports that CAIR continues its assault on free speech by suing the Canadian Prime Minister for pointing out the truth -- CAIR has ties to terrorist organizations.

Christian Mercenary tells some hard truths and says he is thinking about hanging it up when it comes to blogging. I hope that does not happen. We need people like him. But I do understand the sentiment, and I have thought about the same thing for the entirety of the eight years I've been doing this. I feel that people don't really listen and don't really care about the issues we warn them about. And I know A LOT of other writers who believe the same thing. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that truth needs to be told no matter what the cost, and I do have a group of faithful readers who take these issues very seriously, though their numbers are relatively few.

Days of our Trailers shows us the exact numbers of those who were victims of violence in Chicago AFTER Rahm Emanuel announced his infamous initiative on anti-violence.

Alphecca says that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Communist-Vermont, came completely unhinged in response to the VA scandal and is obviously in denial. Or maybe he is way past the time he should retire and relieve us of his extremist views.

The Gateway Pundit shows us, via video, that the loony bird of San Francisco, otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West -- Nancy Pelosi -- has chirped off again about Obamacare. I swear that woman lives in a fantasy world, like the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

Karl Denninger warns students who want to go to college, AND their parents. This is vital info.

Liberty alert: Anti-gun tyrants renew call for gun control

Excepts:

This is a special liberty alert for citizens who are serious about protecting their liberties and freedoms. The anti-gun tyrants, both inside and outside of government, have renewed their calls for massive, nationwide gun control laws. The renewed push is in response to the shootings in California over the weekend...

As the nation witnessed at the Bundy ranch in Nevada, the armed cabal of the government tyrants are more than willing to point high powered,  long-range assault rifles at citizens who are protesting peacefully. Had someone among the government tyrants fired a shot, that one shot would plunged the nation into civil war. That is how close we came to war right here on our own soil...

If the anti-gun tyrants are serious about continuing to infringe on a right that our Constitution forbids being infringed, then one can rest assured that this course of action will lead straight to civil war...

Click here to read the whole thing.

A Blessed Memorial Day

I hope all of you have a blessed Memorial Day. Remember this is not about Bar-B-Que, hot dogs and ice cream, although you may enjoy those today. This is about remembering the dead, those who willingly gave their very lives to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the liberties it identifies as "unalienable" -- freedoms that are not to be infringed upon.

Countless men and women have died for these freedoms, both in war and outside of war. Be thankful for them this day, and remember their families and friends.

By the way, I will have a special Liberty Alert to post shortly. The enemies of liberty are on the march even on such a day as this. So, keep watching.