Yarr, this past Friday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and we had a lot of fun on Classical Music.
In case you wanted to know what piratical selections we played, here's a proper playlist for a classical music-loving pirate:
Arthur Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance (Overture)-- the obvious choice, but no less fun becausue of it
Hector Berlioz, The Corsair Overture -- Berlioz sat safely on the land while writing this one, but he was looking out to sea.
Franz von Suppé, The Jolly Robbers Overture -- a pirate should be happy in his work!
Ferdinand Hérold, Zampa (Overture) -- This nobleman turned pirate came to an unhappy end--dragged down to hell for his crimes!
Erich Korngold, The Sea Hawk (Suite) -- Classic swashbuckling music for a classic swashbuckling film
Hanz Zimmer, Pirates of the Caribbean -- Johnny Depp and his crew with their modern film take on pirates
Ralph Vaughn Williams, Symphony No. 1 "A Sea Symphony" and Howard Hanson, Symphony No. 7 "Sea Symphony"
Felix Mendelssohn -- "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage" -- phew, finally made it away from all those dangerous pirates! (Beethoven also wrote an overture with this name)
We also received some excellent suggestions after the show was programmed--we'll be sure to fit them into future programs:
Richard Wagner, The Flying Dutchman -- a ghost captain and his ship, fated to roam the high seas forever (but it works out for him in the end)
The Drunken Sailor -- Pirates do love their grog!
Avast, I'll continue to hoard pirate music for next year. Help me out with suggestions, if ye not be wanting to walk the plank!