William Schuman / Daniel McDonald

On this day in classical music: William Schuman’s “George Washington Bridge” received its premiere in 1950. In a program note for his celebrated work for concert band, Schuman wrote: “There are few days in the year when I do not see the George Washington Bridge. I pass it on my way to work as I drive along the Henry Hudson Parkway on the New York shore. Ever since my student days when I watched the progress of its construction, this bridge has had for me an almost human personality, and this personality is astonishingly varied, assuming different moods depending on the time of day or night, the weather, the traffic and, of course, my own mood as I pass by. I have walked across it late at night when it was shrouded in fog, and during the brilliant sunshine hours of midday. I have driven over it countless times and passed under it on boats. Coming to New York City by air, sometimes I have been lucky enough to fly right over it. It is difficult to imagine a more gracious welcome or dramatic entry to the great metropolis.” Listen to a performance of “George Washington Bridge.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GxXelRoDjk 

 

On this day in the musical theatre: Daniel McDonald, an actor who had leading roles in “Steel Pier” and “High Society,” was born in 1960. The Pennsylvania native received a Tony Award nomination for his role as stunt pilot Bill Kelly in “Steel Pier,” a short-lived Kander and Ebb musical about the dance marathons of the 1930s. McDonald played the dashing Dexter Haven in “High Society,” a 1998 musical based on the film “The Philadelphia Story.” McDonald died at age 46 from brain cancer in 2007. Listen to “Dance With Me” (sung by Gregory Harrison and “The Last Girl” (sung by Daniel McDonald) from “Steel Pier.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B21P1psi1yE

 

 

Musical musings: “(He) brings an antic, juvenile giddiness to the role played with such sly savoir-faire by Cary Grant,” wrote Ben Brantley of McDonald in The New York Times. “He’s a handsome fellow, right out of an Arrow shirt ad, and he has an appealing voice.”

Thank you for joining our conversation on Articulations. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.