February 2 Dateline

Birthdays

1752 - Philip Morin Freneau, American poet, nationalist, polemicist, sea captain and newspaper editor sometimes called the "Poet of the American Revolution". Through his newspaper, the National Gazette, he was a strong critic of George Washington.

1785 - Isabella Angela Colbran (known in her native country as Isabel Colbrandt), Spanish opera singer,  and wife of composer G. Rossini. Many sources note her as a dramatic coloratura soprano but some believe that she was a mezzo-soprano with a high extension, a soprano sfogato. She collaborated with opera composer Gioachino Rossini in the creation of a number of roles that remain in the repertory to this day; they were married on 22 March 1822. She was the composer of four collections of songs.

1875 - Fritz Kreisler, Austrian-born violinist and composer. One of the most noted violin masters of his day, and regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time, he was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing. Like many great violinists of his generation, he produced a characteristic sound which was immediately recognizable as his own. Although it derived in many respects from the Franco-Belgian school, his style is nonetheless reminiscent of the gemütlich (cozy) lifestyle of pre-war Vienna. (Videos below.)

1882 - James Joyce, Irish writer, poet, teacher and literary critic. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde and is regarded as one of the most influential and important authors of the 20th century. Famous for Ulysses, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Finnegans Wake. He also wrote the well-known short-story collection Dubliners.  (The World of James Joyce: His Life and Work Documentary (1986). Uploaded by Manufacturing Intellect. Accessed February 2, 2020.)

1901 - Jascha Heifetz ([O.S. January 20]), Russian-American violinist, widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time. Born in Vilnius, Lituania, he was recognized as a child prodigy, trained in the Russian classical violin style in St. Petersburg. A virtuoso, his Carnegie Hall debut was rapturously received. He wrote songs under the name 'JH or Jim Hoyl'. After an injury to his right (bowing) arm, he switched his focus to teaching. Late in life, Heifetz became a dedicated teacher and a champion of socio-political causes. He advocated to establish 911 as an emergency phone number, and crusaded for clean air. (J. Heifetz - Portrait of an Artist (1953), uploaded by A/Veeks. Accessed Feb 2, 2021. Jascha Heifetz -  God's Fiddler Part 1 and Part 2. YouTube, uploaded by mightysmeagol. Accessed February 2, 2021.  Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D interpreted by Jascha Heifetz. Youtube uploaded by shellac 1925. Accessed February 2, 2021. Heifetz plays Ponce's Estrellita (read brief note below). Uploaded by Grandesmusicos. Accessed September 11, 2024.) 

 

1905 - Ayn Rand, Russian-American author, essayist and philosopher. She is best-known for her two best-selling novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and for developing a philosophical system she named "Objectivism". Born and educated in Russia, she moved to the United States in 1926. She had a play produced on Broadway. After her two best-selling novels, she turned to non-fiction to promote her philosophy, publishing her own periodicals and collections of essays until her death in 1982. Rand advocated reason as the only means of acquiring knowledge and rejected faith and religion. She supported rational and ethical egoism and rejected altruism.

1947 - Farrah Fawcett (born Ferrah Leni Fawcett), American actress, fashion model and artist. A four-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee and six-time Golden Globe Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she played a starring role in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels (1976–1977). She appeared in numerous television series, including recurring roles on Harry O, and The Six Million Dollar Man with her then-husband, film and television star Lee Majors. Fawcett's breakthrough role was that of private investigator Jill Munroe in Charlie's Angels, which co-starred Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. The show propelled all three actresses to stardom.

1954 - Christie Brinkley (born Christie Lee Hudson), American model, actress, and entrepreneur. She gained worldwide fame with her appearances in the late 1970s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, ultimately appearing on an unprecedented three consecutive covers starting in 1979. She spent 25 years as the face of CoverGirl, has appeared on over 500 magazine covers, and has signed contracts with major brands—both fashion and non-fashion. 

Leftie:
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More birthdays and historical events, February 2 - On This Day

 

 

Below are Kreisler's two popular short pieces: "Liebesleid" (love's sorrow) and "Liebesfreud" (love's joy). 

(The video below is an excerpt from the film, "They Shall Have Music"). Jascha Heifetz plays Manuel Ponce's "Estrellita" (English: Little Star), a beautiful Mexican Serenade written by the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce in 1912. The story goes: The lovely melody was arranged by violinist Jascha Heifetz in 1923. As a young man Heifetz first heard this popular song while dining in a cafe in Mexico City the day before his first concert in Mexico. He loved the song so much he spent all that night arranging it for violin and piano to perform at his debut in honor of his host country. It became a world famous hit, and has remained a favorite encore piece to this day. "Estrellita" has totally a place in my heart. I was named after it, "Star", though not "Little Star". 

 

 

Historical Events

1933 - Just two days after becoming Chancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler dissolves the German Parliament. 

1943 - The last German forces surrender to the Soviets after the Battle of Stalingrad after months of some of the most vicious fighting of the Second World War.

1971 - After a coup in Uganda, Idi Amin replaces President Milton Obote as leader.

1990 - In South Africa, President F.W. de Klerk allows the African national Congress to legally function again and promises to set human rights activist Nelson Mandela free.   


Video Credit:

David Garrett plays Fritz Kreisler: "Liebesleid." YouTube, uploaded by Kadesh86. Accessed February 2, 2018.

Kreisler Liebesfreud (Queyras - Cello). Pianist: Ichiro Nodaira. YouTube, uploaded by Rushcello. Accessed February 2, 2018.  

 

Jascha Heifetz plays Ponce's "Estrellita". YouTube, uploaded by Grandesmusicos. Accessed September 11, 2024.

Resources:

1. Asiado, Tel. The World's Movers and Shapers. New Hampshire: Ore Mountain Publishing House (2005)
2. Britannica. www.britannica.com
3. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, 19th Ed. London: Chambers Harrap, 2011
4. Dateline. Sydney: Millennium House, (2006)
5. Grun, Bernard. The Timetables of History, New 3rd Revised Ed. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone (1991)
6. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org


(c) June 2007. Updated September 11, 2024. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.