RIP Peter Schickele aka PDQ Bach

[gene_stl]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/...cp1EWhWLUOJLiCC7XaJ2_wXoS1PdsD_9ktSSTpLtc_wuQ

 

[humprof]

I wish I'd had a chance to attend a live performance. I'll be spending time tonight with The Wurst (and my prized 1977 Quality Paperback Book Club copy of The Definitive Biography). Will there be a memorial concert at the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople? RIP, PDQ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Definitive_Biography_of_P.D.Q._Bach

 

[4-earredwonder]

Besides Schickele's iconic albums on the audiophile Vanguard Label he was also instrumentalist/arranger in his collaborations with folk singer Joan Baez on her magnificent Christmas album NOEL and JOAN

 

[gene_stl]

I once quipped the joke about the University of south North Dakota to a medical professor whom I wanted to get rid of at a convention.
He instantly about faced and stormed off.

 

[gvl_guy]

The first date I went on, we went to see PDQ Bach. I have no idea where it was performed, but it was likely in 1976 or 77. Much more interested in the show than the date.

 

[Owen Smith]

When I played tuba in Cambridge University Wind Orchestra we played some PDQ Bach, both arrangements and original compositions. Some of it was good stuff.

 

[barfle]

I had the chance to see PDQ in Washington, DC sometime in the 00s or 10s.

A great show, funnier than a rubber crutch (as my dad used to say).

 

[newslane]

Professor of Musical Pathology. From the NYTimes article: "It is the aural equivalent of the elaborate staircases in M.C. Escher engravings that don’t actually lead anywhere."

 

[Quad Linda]

RIP

Caught Professor Schickele live at Symphony Center (Orchestra Hall) Chicago. Solti was still Conductor of CSO at that point. During intermission, I kept asking folks in the lobby where Solti was and what was this drivel??

I'm near complete on Schieckle and PDQ Bach. Strongly recommend the aforementioned Baez albums. Complete on her and attended her farewell tour at the Chicago Theater. She was kind enough to send us copies of her latest CD!

Several of his later Telarc CD titles are Dolby Surround.

Bought this one on 7" reel. It isn't mirthful, though the cover is,
Good Time Ticket - Peter Schickele & his orchestra:

https://www.discogs.com/release/16446213-Peter-Schickele-And-His-Orchestra-Good-Time-Ticket

 

[MidiMagic]

I saw him twice, both times at the Indiana University Auditorium.

One thing you don't catch in Piano vs Orchestra on a record is when he makes a pit stop and changes the wheel on the grand piano leg.

 

[--Moe--]

RIP Professor

One of my favorite CDs [surely top 100] is
P.D.Q. Bach - 1712 Overture & Other Musical Assaults' [Grammy Winner for 'Best Comedy Album of the Year']

I've longed for a Surround Sound mix of this one [ balloons popping in surround (there must have been a budget issue with using canons), ooh the Goose Bumps !! ]
I am not a musician, so I do not get all of the humor on this title, but I still find the CD hilarious.

edit: I played the "1712 Overture & Other Musical Assaults" CD again last night, and laughed all the way through it, again, despite feeling a bit melancholy over the news of Mr. Schickele's passing.

 

[humprof]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/...cp1EWhWLUOJLiCC7XaJ2_wXoS1PdsD_9ktSSTpLtc_wuQ

Thanks for "gifting" that (full-page) obit, by the way, Gene. In today's print edition, it began on the front page, below the fold.

 

[gene_stl]

It wasn't me. It was someone before me in the articles blockchain. I did want to let his fans know though. It was the very first time I ever saw that "GIFT" label.

My favorite Peter Schickele thing is hearing him on the classical music station while driving. Suddenly one of his witty musical jokes comes on and makes me guffaw out loud.

 

[JediJoker]

Was privileged enough to see the Professor leading the San Francisco Symphony in a concert of PDQ Bach probably 15-20 years ago. A singularly gifted and twisted man. He will be missed.