Just like you, we love multi-function appliances. If you have bored kids, or if you are amazed by unexplainable science, try this at home.
Author: Antoinette Powell
Handel Chrysander Edition Online!
The Chrysander edition of George Frideric Handel’s complete works is available online from the Münchener Digitalisierungszentrum (the Munich Digitisation Centre) of the Digital Library Department of the Bavarian State Library. The Library has a nice English language interface, but searching is a little odd. And it helps to know some German. The digital collection “comprises manuscripts, early prints, modern books, maps and photographic collections as well as journals and newspapers.” The access is free, but the images are not downloadable or printable. Still, it’s one-stop-viewing if you’re looking for a picture of Jimi Hendrix AND images of every book published in German-speaking areas in the 16th century.
IMSLP is Back!
The International Music Score Library Project is back in business after overcoming financial and legal assaults. “IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge,” in other words, a boatload of free scores. This is a wiki, however, so edit if you must, but try to stifle your inner imp.
Buried [Music] Treasure
Does trying to find music-related materials on the Web make you crazy? Try this guide to finding scores recordings, lyrics and other musical mayhem in no particular order, just to make the hunt all the more thrilling. It’s mostly free and mostly legal.
Someone’s Taking This “Mudd” Thing Too Literally
There is a new entry in the continuing saga of The Mudd’s battle with the elements. Like Joe Btfsplk, we literally have a cloud hanging over our heads. In an ironic twist, the roof guys were making great progress in trying to eliminate our seasonal interior downpours when it, what?, downpoured. As luck would have it, the roof had been replace with a tarp just hours before deluge began. Return with us now to those soggy, squishy days of yesterday.
And You Thought Paul Was Old
Today Ringo Starr is 68. Yes, 68. Those of you mature enough to know his real name will be feeling extremely ancient and those who have never heard of him will be asking, “Whose grandpappy is that?”
In a dastardly bit of birthday irony, it was reported yesterday that his birthplace is certain to be demolished after English Heritage decided not to list it on its register. But Pete Best’s home will be preserved only because it was the location of the original Cavern Club, and…, oh, just read the article.
Do what Richard requests today: “…everyone, everywhere, wherever they are, at noon on July 7 make the peace sign and say ‘Peace & Love.'” And listen to some tunes.
Wiki-tannica
If ever the Apocalypse was in sight, it’s now. That most scholarly of encyclopedias, The Encyclopedia Britannica, is going wiki. But the editors have taken a lot of the fun and adventure out of the wiki experience by only allowing readers to suggest revisions, not make them themselves. So you merry pranksters may not change Winston Churchill’s middle name to Bassingbourne or make Inigo Jones the love-child of Elizabeth I and the Sir Walter Raleigh.
If you’re in the Mudd you can search the Encyclopedia Britannica and even suggest changes.
Listen to the report on NPR.
When I’m 66
Once again it’s Sir Paul McCartney’s birthday. He’s been in this music business for over 50 years, and he’s still touring. His latest stop was in Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine where he gave a concert sponsored by Victor Pinchuk, Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist. Pinchuk said, “One could not imagine this 30 years ago. Nobody could even dare to hope for this 20 years ago. One could only dream about it 10 years ago. 5 years ago we could only envy our neighbors for whom this became a reality. And finally the day has come. For the first time we have the opportunity to hear the songs that changed the world and created a new culture.” We couldn’t agree more.
Sure, we have the Beatles recordings and even one McCartney solo disc. But the library’s McCartney collection includes Lennon-McCartney tunes interpreted by vocalists Kiri Te Kanawa, Cathy Berberian and Cristina Zavalloni, double bassists, and a brass quintet. Very versatile.
More Vocal CDs
We’re heavy on the vocal music today with our latest CD pile. Once again we’ve dipped into the storeroom of gifts and have emerged with arias, vocalises, songs and voice with instrumental ensemble.
May Was Full of Promises
June IS busting out all over. You may think June is noteworthy only because it is the month of Paul McCartney’s birthday (June 18,) but it’s also Lane Courtesy Month. Will you be compelled to purchase large women’s clothing? Be polite to Superman’s girlfriend? Continuously sing “Mule Train?” No, no, it’s the month to yield the left lane to faster drivers. This applies to motorists only. And for those for whom “courtesy” is an alien concept, this site also has links to Fight Your Ticket and Find an Attorney.
Get yourself lane-ready with the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook and Study Guide.