Category Archives: classical music

The Times’ Court Reporter Files a Story in Dialect

Posted on June 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 3, 1910: The Times’ court reporter files a story in dialect about two African American women who are charged with fighting. Ouch. And police arrest newsboys shooting dice behind the offices of Los Angeles Record (1886-1931).

Posted in #courts, classical music, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Music | 2 Comments

Fantasia!

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1980: Yes, young persons, “Fantasia” came back in 1980 as a “head film” (note the smoke and mushrooms).  In 1982, in an attempt to improve the audio quality, Disney had a pickup orchestra and conductor/composer Irwin “Chitty … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, classical music, Film, Hollywood, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Elvis Arrives in L.A.

Posted on April 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

    April 21, 1960: Elvis Presley’s return to Los Angeles to film “G.I. Blues” is put safely on Page 2. Instead, The Times leads the paper with the resignation of the South Korean cabinet.    ps. Georg Solti is … Continue reading →

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Mystic Author Visits Los Angeles

Posted on March 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 8, 1920: The Times seems quite taken with Francis Grierson, author of “Modern Mysticism,” quoting him at length on world politics and spiritualism. The poor fellow died of starvation, The Times says, while working on an anthology of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, classical music | Comments Off on Mystic Author Visits Los Angeles

Noise Replaces Facts in Politics

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 6, 1960: The Times publishes James Reston’s views on politics after adding the New York Times News Service. Reston calls Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) a tough political operator and describes Vice President Richard Nixon as “nearer to a … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Dodgers, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Noise Replaces Facts in Politics

‘I Laugh, Ho, Ho, at Black Hand,’ Caruso Says

Posted on March 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 6, 1920: Enrico Caruso laughs at threatening letters from the Black Hand. “I will sing in Brooklyn on Monday!” he vows.

Posted in #opera, classical music, Music | Comments Off on ‘I Laugh, Ho, Ho, at Black Hand,’ Caruso Says

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 5, 1960

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Leonard Warren, 1911-1960 Telephone Girls Belie Propaganda       I'm a client, reasonably well paid up, of Pacific Telephone Co.  And I'd like to assure you that my complaint is nothing personal.       In fact, over the years, I've … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #opera, classical music, Columnists, Environment, Homicide, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 5, 1960

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The dark ages of crossword puzzle construction: Look at all those two-letter answers! Marian Anderson performs at Philharmonic Auditorium in a recital of works by Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff and Gretchaninoff, who is not a composer I recognize. Anderson … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 2, 1960

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Mystery of Missiles       One of the problems of those who guide our missile program is making it understandable to earth-bounders.  In other words, translating complex scientific data into ordinary terms.       Toward this end former newspaperman Chris … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Music | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Feb. 2, 1960

Nixon, the ‘Indispensible Man’

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

“You Remember Her?”     NBC used to have an opera company. Amazing, no? Although I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Virginia Copeland (Gordoni), David Poleri or Chester Ludgin. “Goliath and the Barbarians” in Colorscope!  Paul Zimmerman takes a … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, broadcasting, classical music, Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, JFK, Lakers, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Nixon, the ‘Indispensible Man’

Three Tristans Update

Posted on December 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

      Three Tristans update: I sent this item to bass-baritone  Alan Held, who’s appearing in the current Metropolitan Opera production of “Tales of Hoffmann.” Held says, “ I have been in several performances where a singer had to … Continue reading →

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Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing

Posted on December 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mickey Cohen says: "I'm a lover, not a fighter." Sandy Hashagen says going steady with Mickey Cohen for 14 days gave her a police record and cost her a job as a dancer in Las Vegas.. Adjusted for inflation, these … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #opera, classical music, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Sports | Comments Off on Grand Jury Hears Testimony in Whalen Killing

New Symphony Uses Car Horn

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 30, 1909: Perhaps you thought George Gershwin was the first composer to use car horns in a piece of music (“American in Paris”). But no. August Bungert uses an auto horn in his new symphonic work, “Zeppelin’s First … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, LAPD, Music | 1 Comment

Pilot Dies When Plane Hits House in Compton

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 28, 1959: A plane crashes into a home at 519 W. Greenleaf in Compton. Mink jeans? Are you serious? Running freeways through the upper floors of existing buildings is a startling concept – but it’s not new. As envisioned … Continue reading →

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Artist’s Notebook: Gustavo Dudamel

Posted on November 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Gustavo Dudamel, by Marion Eisenmann, Nov. 12, 2009. Marion Eisenmann and I have been looking at Los Angeles landmarks as a modern version of Nuestro Pueblo, but we realized that the debut of Gustavo Dudamel as music director of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, art and artists, classical music, Marion Eisenmann, Nuestro Pueblo | 1 Comment

Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 2, 1919: Orchestra managers want to ban women musicians because an ensemble consisting entirely of men in tuxedos is more pleasing to the eye, The Times says. No, I'm not kidding. Nov. 16, 1919: Alma Whitaker writes about … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, classical music, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | Comments Off on Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on November 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 7, 1944: Gracie Allen performs her new work, “Concerto for Index Finger.” Some of Charles Laughton’s recordings of the Bible are too hot to handle or at least they're too hot for Decca.  Yes, you can find the … Continue reading →

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Shostakovich Visits L.A.!

Posted on October 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Shostakovich meets the press at the Ambassador Hotel. Wouldn’t it be great to go see it? Oh, wait, we let L..A. Unified tear it down. Oct. 20, 1959: Dmitri Shostakovich leads a group of Soviet composers on a tour … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, Front Pages, Music, Sports, Stage | 1 Comment

The March King Comes to L.A.

Posted on October 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The hall, later known as Philharmonic Auditorium, at 5th and Olive.  Oct. 26, 1909, a Times review. Oct. 25, 1909: John Philip Sousa and his band arrive for a weeklong engagement in Los Angeles. The Sousa band was composed … Continue reading →

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Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Clare Briggs, “When a Feller Needs a Friend.” Oct. 23, 1919: Harry Carr, one of The Times' best-known writers, files a series of vignettes from New York. He says that prohibition is lightly enforced and that it’s still easy to … Continue reading →

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