Sunday, September 7, 2008

Spotlight: C-D-E, E-D-C, C-D-E-D-C. These are often the first notes that a beginning pianist learns to play. A common rite of childhood includes piano lessons in the living room, learning to play an easy version of Für Elise, Bach exercises, Mozart sonatas. Benmont Tench, Michael Feinstein and Arthur Ferrante — all celebrating birthdays today — have made their living from "tickling the ivories." Rock pianist Tench, 55, is the keyboardist and one of the original members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Feinstein, 52, made his name as the archivist and one of the premier interpreters of the music of Ira and George Gershwin. Ferrante, 87, partnered with Louis Teicher to become one of the 20th century's most popular piano duos. And Sonny Rollins, who turns 78 today, is known now for his amazing tenor sax; but he started out his musical career like so many others... on the piano.

Quote: "Without a piano I don't know how to stand, don't know what to do with my hands." — Norah Jones

Question of the Day: Why does a piano have 88 keys?
Not all pianos have 88 keys, although most modern pianos do. Pianos have roughly 88 keys because of the reach of the player. Early pianos often had 85 keys. There was pressure to standardize on a number because composers wouldn't want to write for keyboards if not all pianos could play them.

Word of the day: penetralia
pl.n.

1. The innermost parts of a building, especially the sanctuary of a temple.
2. The most private or secret parts; recesses: the penetralia of the soul.

(© Houghton Mifflin Company)

Today's History:

Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund

• Miss America: the first competition began, as a two-day beauty contest, in Atlantic City, New Jersey (1921)
• thylacine: the last known Tasmanian wolf, Benjamin, died in Hobart Zoo, though there may be survivors in the wild (1936)
• London Blitz: heavy bombing of the UK by the Nazi Luftwaffe began during WWII (1940)
• ESPN: sports network debuted on cable TV (1979)

Today's Birthdays:

Buddy Holly

• Elizabeth I (1533-1603): England's "Virgin Queen"
• Grandma Moses (1860-1961): folk artist
• Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985): novelist; other writers born on this date include Elinor Wylie (1885-1928) and Edith Sitwell (1887-1964)
• Elia Kazan (1909-2003): award-winning director, On the Waterfront
• Buddy Holly (1936-1959): rock and roller, "Peggy Sue"; also, singers Gloria Gaynor (59) and Chrissie Hynde (57)
• Evan Rachel Wood (21): actress, Once and Again, Thirteen; also, actors Anthony Quayle (1913-1989), Peter Lawford (1923-1984), Julie Kavner (57), Corbin Bernsen (54), Tom Everett Scott (38) and Oliver Hudson (32)