Critical Karaoke

Today in 1933, construction began on San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate bridge. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," explore the music that has been inspired by the bridge and music that has actually used the bridge, itself, as an instrument.

It was on this day in 1602 that William Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night", was performed, for the first time, before the court at Whitehall Palace, London. On today's "A Day in the Life," we learn where the play got its name and journey past the twelve drummers drumming on our way to hear Feste's song, "The Wind and Rain".

It was on this day in 1984 that Wayne, "The Great One", Gretzky scored an astounding 8 points in a single game. On today's "A Day in the Life," we figured we use this opportunity to explore the role of music in the fastest game on earth.

It was on this day in 1886 that the American Opera Company had its grand opening at the Academy of Music in New York. The first performance was the American premiere of the German opera - "The Taming of the Shrew." On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," discover whatever became of this venture and who was the driving force behind it.

Today is the first day of the year, which means that, around the stroke of midnight, you likely encountered one of the very few songs associated with celebrating the ringing in of the new year. On today's "A Day in the Life," we trace the origins of "Auld Lang Syne" and try to make sense of its meaning.

Today in 1993, Barbra Streisand stepped onto the stage of a brand new arena in the brand new MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for her first public concert performance in twenty-seven years. On today's "A Day in the Life," dive into the music and find out who of the who's who were in attendance for the historic event.

It was on this day in 1935 that French writer, poet, and aviator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, crashed his plane in the Sahara. He would survive the crash and use the experience as inspiration for his memoir "Wind, Sand and Stars." It would also serve as inspiration for his best known work, "The Little Prince." On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we relive the crash and explore the music of "The Little Prince."

It was on this day in 1994 that the American jam band, Phish, made its network television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman. Later that night they would take the stage for their first performance at Madison Square Garden, beginning the tradition of their nearly annual New Years shows there. On today's "Day in the Life" we explore the soundscape of Phish and learn the different types of Phish jams.

Today in 1963, the influential American folk music group, The Weavers, gave their farewell concert at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. On today's "A Day in the Life," we learn why Mary Travers of "Peter, Paul, and Mary" credits The Weavers with the very existence of her group and we learn what happens to a group when its two founding members, Pete Seeger and Lee Hays are accused of being Communists.

On this day in 1829, the German composer Giacomo Meyerbeer signed a contract with the Paris opera house -- marking the beginning of the brief golden age of French Grand Opera. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," journey along with us as we explore "The Huguenots," "The African Woman," and more!

Today in 1065, Westminster Abbey was consecrated. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," we visit upon those luminaries who are buried or otherwise memorialized in the Abbey from Henry Purcell to Noel Coward.

It was on this day in 1974 that Barry Manilow scored his first number one hit with "Mandy." Is the song really about Manilow's dog? Is Mandy any relation to Brandy? On this installment of "A Day in the Life," we get to the bottom of the origin of the song. 

It was on this day in 1993 that Mr. Blobby, one of the most annoying songs ever recorded, regained the number one spot on the UK charts. On today's "A Day in the Life," hear this musical abomination and learn who perpetrated such awfulness upon the world.

Today in 1955, Santa Claus's annual trek around the globe was first tracked by the Continental Air Defense Command, or CONAD, the predecessor to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD. On today's "A Day in the Life," discover how this annual holiday tradition began and how it continues today.

Today in 1951, Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was broadcast live across the United States from NBC Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center. The opera tells the story Amahl, a young boy living in Bethlehem around the time of the birth of Jesus. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life," learn more about the televised opera that became a bit of a holiday tradition in the middle part of the 20th century.

On this day in 1938, music impresario John Hammond hosted the first of two concerts at Carnegie Hall titled "From Spirituals to Swing." On today's "A Classical Day in the Life" we hop from the holy roller hymns of Mitchell's Christian Singers to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Count Basie Orchestra.

It was on this day in 1814 that Andrew Jackson led a group of soldiers in the Night Attack of December 23rd, a prelude to the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Nearly 150 years later, a high school history teacher commemorated the events of the battle in a song that would eventually become a worldwide hit.

In this episode of Critical Karaoke we explore the confluence of Music and Literature with Novelist and Said the Gramophone music blogger Sean Michaels and Novelist Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket. We talk about playlists, nightcaps, Magnetic Fields and, of course, accordions.

Today in 1789 the Viennese Society of Musicians premiered Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A major. Tour the four movements of the piece and learn more about Anton Stadler, the clarinetist who played the premiere and for whom Mozart originally composed the work on today's "A Classical Day in the Life."

It was on this day in the year 2000 that Joel and Ethan Coen's "O Brother Where Art Thou" opened in theaters across North America. In today's "A Day in the Life," we explore the role that the distinctive soundtrack played in the film.