music
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The Holocaust remains the darkest period in human history. Among the stories of unspeakable horror and loss, there are also tales of survival that seem almost miraculous. One such story is that of Fania Fénelon, a French Jewish musician whose extraordinary life was spared because of her involvement in a concentration camp orchestra. Her story,…
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“Venus” is a song by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue. It was released as a single in the summer of 1969 and topped the charts in nine countries. Written by Robbie van Leeuwen, it was a hit in the Netherlands. The song has been covered dozens of times by many artists. In 1986, English girl…
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During the Holocaust, several Nazi concentration camps had orchestras composed of prisoners. These orchestras were used for propaganda, forced to play during appalling situations such as executions, roll calls, and as prisoners were marched to forced labor or gas chambers. Below are some of the most notable orchestras formed in concentration camps. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Women’s…
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Two truly legendary musicians are connected by the date of August 16. Robert Johnson died on August 16, 1938. Elvis Presley died on August 19, 1977. Both men had a lasting impact on music. Robert Johnson: The Myth, the Man, and the Music Robert Johnson, often hailed as the “King of the Delta Blues,” is…
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“Q65” is a Dutch garage rock and psychedelic band formed in the mid-1960s. “The Life I Live” is one of their most famous songs, released in 1966. The track is known for its raw energy and is a significant part of the Dutch beat and rock scene of the 1960s. Title: The Life I LiveArtist:…
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“Rosie” is a well-known song by the Dutch rock band Claw Boys Claw. The band, formed in 1983, is recognized for its raw and energetic style, which blends punk rock, garage rock, and blues influences. “Rosie” is one of their signature tracks and showcases their distinctive sound and dynamic performance style. Claw Boys Claw gained…
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Some people who read my blog regularly, might think this is an odd piece. However, aside from history my other passion is music, and specifically guitar music I do play guitar myself. The history of the guitar is rich and spans several millennia, evolving through different cultures and technological advancements. Here’s an overview of its…
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I know Bon Jovi has become more of a Country and Western band recently, but when they started off, or rather when he started off, it was a proper Hard Rock band. “Runaway” is the debut single by Bon Jovi. It was originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called “Power Station Demos” at the beginning…
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In the last few weeks, Patrick has been on my mind a lot, probably because of the UEFA Euro 2024. Shortly after UEFU Euro 88, we went on an interrail trip through the Benelux and went camping. All the Dutch we met were still celebrating the Dutch win of the Euros; it was a great…
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Viktor Ullmann’s “Der Kaiser von Atlantis” (The Emperor of Atlantis) is a unique and poignant opera composed during World War II. During this time, Ullmann was imprisoned in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. Viktor Ullmann was born on January 1, 1898, in Teschen, Austrian Silesia (now Český Těšín in the Czech Republic). Both his parents were…
History of Sorts 