Saturday 28 October 2023 : This event featured music by Baltic composers. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, which were all from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
Saturday 24 June 2023 : This event featured music by Mexican composers. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, which were all from southern Mexico.
Saturday 29 April 2023 This event featured music by composers active beyond Y2K (2000). We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, which were all from Central America.
Saturday 25 February 2023 This event featured music composed by Women Composers of Europe and North America. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served. We have also posted a Photo Gallery.
Saturday 22 October 2022 Music featured was by composers of the Southern Cone of South America, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. The food featured was all from the same region, and was well liked by all, especially the Pisco Sours. We have posted a Playlist and also a Pictorial Menu with links to the recipes.
Saturday 25 June 2022 Music featured was by composers of countries impinging on the Amazon Basin. The food featured was all from the same region, and was very well received. We have posted a Playlist and also a Pictorial Menu with links to the recipes.
Saturday 30 April 2022 This event featured music by French composers, both well known and obscure. The food featured was also all French. We have posted a Playlist and a Pictorial Menu of the food presented.
Saturday 30 October 2021 This was our "re-opening" event in the late COVID era. It was quite successful, featuring worthy but lesser known composers, both European and American. Vaccination against COVID was required for attendance. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, all of which were East African, with no relationship to the music program.
14 May 2020: Announcement of the passing of Alex Bratmon (not COVID related).
Saturday 18 March 2020 to who knows when - COVID-19 Plague Break - Social Distancing!
Saturday 29 February 2020 This was our second event featuring Chinese composers. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served.
Saturday 28 December 2019 We don't have winter here, so we must celebrate winter vicariously. This year we are featuring music from the Nordic Countries, where Winter isn't quite as severe as in Russia, but it's still plenty severe for us. We have posted a Playlist of the music presented, and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served. We have just a few photos in the Photo Gallery because the host/archivist forgot to take any more.
Saturday 30 November 2019: This was our annual Saint Cecilia's Day celebration at the Altadena location. It was one of the most successful in recent times. On this day we paid tribute to the life and works of Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695), father of the English Baroque, and the last truly great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th Century. We held the traditional solemn memorial ceremony at midnight. We have posted a recipe for the Pork Stew Somerset which got excellent comments.
Saturday 26 October 2019: "Italian Night". This event featured music by Respighi and more recent composers. We have posted Playlist. We have also posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served.
Saturday 29 June 2019: "Musica Donavania goes Medieval on Music". This was an all Medieval program selected from CDs of the Jon Stringer collection. We have posted a Playlist. We have also posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, and a small Photo Gallery.
Saturday 27 April 2019: This program featured music from 20th Century Spanish composers. We have a detailed Playlist of the music presented. We also have a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, and a small Photo Gallery.
Saturday 23 February 2019: The program for February included works by a number of American (USA) composers - some of which works are not widely known, but deserve to be. The food was all from one of the United States controlled territories, Puerto Rico, and we have a Pictorial Menu. We also have a Playlist of the music presented.
Saturday 29 December 2018: This was our Russian Winter program with all Russian composers. We don't have winter here, so we must celebrate it vicariously, and nothing says Winter like "Russia". The food was all from Rusia's former Central Asian Empire, and we have a Pictorial Menu. We also have a Playlist of the music presented.
Saturday 17 November 2018: This was our annual Saint Cecilia's Day celebration at the Altadena location. On this day we pay tribute to the life and works of Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695), father of the English Baroque, and the last truly great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th Century. We held the traditional solemn memorial ceremony at midnight.
Saturday 27 October 2018: In fairness, since we had "Frog Night" and "Brit Night", we held "Kraut Night", with all German / Austrian music. The food served was all from the former German East Africa, Tanzania now, and we have a Pictorial Menu. We have also enhanced our usual simple Playlist as a Commented Playlist, giving brief explainations of the pieces on the program
July, August, September: Musica Donavania was inactive during the hot summer.
Saturday 30 June 2018: Preview To balance "Frog Night", we are presenting "Brit Night", featuring music from before Handel and after 1998. The food served was all from the fomer English West African colonies, for which we have a Pictorial Menu. We also hav a Playlist of the pieces presented at this event.
Saturday 28 April 2018: "Frog Night" again, where we feature an all French program. We included a number of pieces by well known French composers that are themselves little known. The cuisine was all from France's nearly forgotten Sub-Saharan African Empire, and we have a Pictorial Menu. We also hav a Playlist of the pieces presented at this event.
Saturday 31 March 2018: This was our Spring progam. In keeping with older traditions, the program opened with music by J.S. Bach, his Easter Oratorio followed by Toccata & Fugue in D minor on Organ, then as orchistrated by Sir Henry Wood. Next we had Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overature, followed by a large collection of Renaissance Spring songs from various countries. After that came music by the Russian Pagan group Arkana, and music by The Dead Can Dance. We finished with more J.S. Bach. We have a link to the recipe for Georgian Chicken Stew with Herbs that was enjoyed at the event.
Saturday 24 February 2018: This month's very successful event celebrated works of women composers, ancient, modern and in between. We included two pieces that have won Pulitzer Prizes for Music. We have a Playlist for the event, and also a Pictorial Menu of dishes served.
Saturday 27 January 2018: This event featured music of recent and living American composers. It was the first recent pot-luck event and was diverted to the La Crescenta location due to illness in Altadena. We have a Playlist for the program, and a link to the recipe for Pork & Green Chili Stew served by the hosting household.
Sunday 31 December 2017: Again, our annual December / New Years event. We wished to celebrate winter, which we don't have here, so we celebrated vicariously with an all Russian program. You can't get much more wintery than Russia. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of dishes served at the event, and a Playlist, as well as a Photo Gallery.
Saturday 18 November 2017: Once again, it was our annual Saint Cecilia's Day celebration. On this day we pay tribute to the life and works of Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695), father of the English Baroque, and the last truly great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th Century. We held the traditional solemn memorial ceremony at midnight. We have a link to the recipe for the Liverpool Scouse Stew served at the event.
Saturday 28 October 2017: Our October program featured South American composers from the countries of the Amazon: Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. We have a Pictorial Menu of the food served and a Playlist for the event.
September: Summer recess.
August: Summer recess.
July: Summer recess.
Saturday, 24 June 2017: Our programs have featured plenty of Christian, Sephardic and even Islamic music. Now, in fairness (yes, fairness, even in the Age of Trump we dare), we present a program entirely on Pagan themes. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the food served. We also have a Playlist for the event, as well as an outline for Akhnaten so those who wished to could understand the action. There are no photos because it didn't occur to the host/photographer to take any.
Saturday, 27 May 2017: This event was an American Memorial Day Presentation featuring American music from Wartime and Peacetime - especially in hopes that peacetime will prevail, providing respect and honor for all. We have a link to the recipe for New England Clam Chowder which was eaten to the last drop.
Saturday, 29 April 2017: Frog Night again - at the La Crescenta location. It was a program of French music, with some surprises. The food was all from French Indochina, and there were a few pieces of Cambodian folk music scattered in the program. We have posted a Pictorial Menu and a Playlist.
Saturday, 25 March 2017: Our March event at the Altadena location said farewell to a very long time Musica Donavania tradition (1961 or earlier). Until now it has been the Bach's Birthday event, which made sense years ago when his works were not so well known. Today Bach has been so overexposed a lot of people are just getting tired of him, especially in March when his music is played everywere all month. This will free up March for more cheerful Spring themed programming. We played the complete set of Bach's Goldberg Variations performed by Glen Gould. The rest of the evening was spent with music by Alban Berg (1885 to 1935), one of the giants of 20th century composition. We have a link to the recipe for the Bavarian Sausage Stew that was very well liked.
==================
Musica Donavania
==================The group, named "Music Group" by Jon Lackey, was renamed, by agreement of the oldest standing members, to Musica Donavania. This was to honor its origin from the Chesley Donavan Foundation.
25 February 2017: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, was a tribute to Jon Stringer, and his fabulous music collection. It featured Medieval music from Spain and the Sephardic Diaspora, all from his collection. We have posted a Pictorial Menu, and a Playlist of the works featured. We also have a few Photos from early in the evening before all the guests had arrived.
31 January 2017: This was a rest and recovery month for the hosts.
31 December 2016: Our annual Christmas is Over! / New Year's Eve event at the La Crescenta location. The music was mostly Igor Stravinsky, with one piece each for Carl Orff, Bela Bartok and Modest Mussorgsky. As promised, there was no Christmas music whatever. Dishes served were all Chinese again, since that's what the host was working with at the time. We have posted a Pictorial Menu, Playlist, and also a Photo Gallery from the event.
26 November 2016 Once again, it was our annual Saint Cecilia's Day celebration. On this day we pay tribute to the life and works of Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695), father of the English Baroque, and the last truly great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th Century. We held the traditional solemn memorial ceremony at midnight. We have a link to the recipe for the English Chicken with Wine & Fruit served at the event. Apparently it was well liked, as a large pot of it was pretty much wiped out.
29 October 2016: Our October program was entirely compositions by Chinese composers - though not necessarily written in China. We did have one properly Communist composition by a politically appointed committee, and yes, it was pretty bad. We have posted a Playlist of the works featured, and a small Photo Gallery. Dishes served were all Chinese, of course, and we have posted a Pictorial Menu.
July, August and September were "rest months" for the households doing the hosting.
25 June 2016: Our June program was entirely modern compositions - and by modern, we mean modern. Only composers who were alive on Y2K qualified for this program. The 12-Tone dissonance of the old century is strictly verboten. We have posted a Playlist of the works featured. Dishes served were all Pacific Rim", and we have posted a Pictorial Menu.
28 May 2016: This month's program celebrated the works of Eduard Tubin, a prominent Estonian Composer / Conductor of the 20th Century (1905 - 1982). Born under the repression of the Russian Empire, he finally left Estonia for Sweden when the Russians again occupied Estonia in 1944. He is noted for incorporating Estonian folk tunes into his symphonies, concertos, operas, choral works, ballets and chamber music. We have a recipe for the Estonian Chicken Soup with Dumplings enjoyed at the event.
30 April 2016: It was Frog Night again, when we celebrate the music of 19th and 20th (and maybe soon 21st Century) French composes, as an antidote to too much Baroque in March. It was held at the La Crescenta location. This year there was a bit of a twist to the event - rather than French cuisine, we featured dishes from France's almost forgotten African Empire (Pictorial Menu). We have posted a Playlist of the music.
26 March 2016: This month, while others celebrate the birthday of J.S. Bach, we instead celebrate the composers Bach most admired, and from whom he learned to compose, mainly by transcribing and pirating their works. These would be Jan Dismas Zelenka, Dieterich Buxtehude and Antonio Vivaldi, three of the most adventurous and innovative composers of the Baroque era. The CDs were cut on an emergency basis - hopefully we will eventually identify the CDs and be able to expand the Playlist with the names of the pieces. Meanwhile, here's a link to the recipe for Corned Beef & Cabbage enjoyed at the event.
27 February 2016: This month we featured classical composers of the Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Well, I guess we'd better also mention Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which seem to have rather little interest in being reabsorbed into Georgia. We have posted a Playlist and a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, with links to the recipes.
30 January 2016: This event featured works of 19th century and 20th century Italian composers. Operas were not featured (except an overture or two). Yes, believe it or not, some Italian composers actually did write significant non-operatic works. We have posted a Playlist, and a link to the recipe for Chicken in Marsala Sauce which was very much liked.
31 December 2015: Nothing says Winter like Russia. We don't have winter here, but we had Russian Music. We have posted a Playlist and a Photo Gallery. The menu for this event was all Russian, and we have posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, with links to the recipes
21 November 2015: Our annual Saint Cecilia's day event, celebrating the works of Henry Purcell, the last great English composer until almost the dawn of the 20th century, was held at the Altadena location. We have posted a Photo Gallery. We also have a link to the recipe for Cawl / Lobsgows enjoyed at the event. This stew not English, it's Welsh, but, hey, if the English didn't want Welsh stuff mixed in, they should have stayed out of Wales.
31 October 2015: This was a Halloween event, held at the La Crescenta location, with music appropriate to the season. We have posted a Playlist. The menu for this event was all Korean, because that's what the host had been working with lately. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served, with links to the recipes
July, August, September 2015: These hot summer months were skipped due to other pressures on the two hosting households.
27 June 2015: This highly successful event was held at the La Crescenta location. We featured music about, referring to, and from the Ottoman Empire. A menu of foods from parts of the Empire was served, and the Pictorial Menu has links to the recipes. We have also a Playlist, though this program really needs to be experienced to be appreciated, and a small Photo Gallery.
23 May 2015: This event, held at the Altadena location, featured music by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935). While in the tradition of Edvard Grieg, Halvorsen's compositions are in his own distinctive style and incorporate innovative orchestration. We have a link to the recipe for Norwegian Stuffed Cabbages, one of the many dishes served at the event.
25 April 2015: This very successful event was held at the La Crescenta location, and featured English composers from the era of the British Raj in India. A menu of Indian food was served, and the Pictorial Menu has links to the recipes. We also have a Playlist of the works featured. There are not photos because the host / cook / dish washer / photographer was very busy.
28 February 2015: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, featured classical and pre-classical works by Mexican and Central American composers. We have a link to a Playlist of the works featured, and to a Pictorial Menu of dishes served at the event (with links to the recipes). We also have posted a few Photos from the event.
31 January 2015: This event, held at the Altadena location, featured music by Irish composers and wnabe Irish composers. Compositions by C.V. Stanford, E.J. Moeran, Hamilton Harty and others were played. We have a link to the recipe for Dublin Coddle, one of the many dishes served at the event.
20 December 2014: Our annual Holiday Season event, featuring music of Medieval Christians and Sephardic Jews. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of dishes served at the event (with links to the recipes). We have also posted a few Photos - not many, because the photographer was very busy, being also the cook and host.
22 November 2014: Our annual Saint Cecilia's day event, celebrating the works of Henry Purcell, the last great English composer until almost the dawn of the 20th century, was held at the Altadena location. We have posted a Photo Gallery. We also have a link to the recipe for Beef Stew with Chestnuts which was served at the event. This stew is Elizabethan, but was probably still served in Purcell's time.
18 October 2014: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, was half way between Octoberfest and Halloween, so the music was appropriate to one or the other. We have posted Playlist of the music played, a Pictorial Menu of some of the dishes served at the event (with links to the recipes), and a small Photo Gallery.
27 September 2014: This event, held at the Altadena location, featured the music of English composer Gustavus Theodore von Holst (Gustav Holst - 1874-1934), including many compositions most people are unfamiliar with. We have posted a Playlist of the music played, and a link to the recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala served at the event.
30 August 2014: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, celebrated the music of Leos Janacek, yet another great composer with serious girl (and wife) troubles. We have posted a Playlist of the music played, and a Pictorial Menu of some of the dishes served at the event, with links to the recipes.
26 July 2014: This month's program, held at the Altadena location, featured Russian composers who lived in the 20th century. We heard many very interesting works that you would not likely hear played on KUSC. We have posted a commented Playlist of the works played. We have also posted a Pictorial Menu with links to the recipes for two of the Russian dishes contributed from the La Crescenta location.
28 June 2014: This event was our third "Frog Night", with all French music. Selections ranged from the Baroque through the early part of the 20th century. Held at the La Crescenta location, the event was very well attended with a number of new folks on hand. Of course, the all French menu included a frog-leg dish. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served at the event, with links to the recipes. We also have a Playlist of the music played. Very few photos were taken at the event (the host / cook / photographer was very busy), but we have posted those Photos that are available.
22 May 2014: This event celebrated the music of Henry Cowell (1897-1965). Cowell was a very radical young composer of great influence, but due to screwing up his life from pathological distrust of lawyers and general paranoia, drifted down to being merely "progressive". This well attended event was held at the Altadena location.
19 April 2014: Our traditional "anti-Bach" event at the La Crescenta location featured music by two . . ummm . . "eccentric" composers. Why just two when there are so many? We have time only for Gerald Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners and Percy Grainger in one evening, but we'll get to Eric Satie and a few of the others at upcoming events. Attendance was good and lots of Philippine food was eaten. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the dishes served at the event, a Playlist of the music played, and also a few Photos from the evening.
22 March 2014: This well attended event was our traditional Bach's Birthday Month event. Seldom heard compositions by J.S. Bach were played, and the Brandenburg Concertos and other compositions played absolutely to death by KUSC were carefully avoided. We have a link to the recipe for the well liked Szekely Goulash, but once again, nobody got around to taking any pictures.
15 February 2014: For this event we featured works by Samuel Barber, perhaps the most successful American composer, during his lifetime to the present. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the Italian dishes served at the event, and a Playlist of the music played. This was a fun event, but nobody got around to taking any pictures.
25 January 2014: This event, held at the Altadena address, featured Scandinavian music of fairly recent vintage. A recipe is available for the Scandinavian stew of Hearts with Prunes served at the event.
31 December 2013: Our December Music Group event doubled as a New Year's Eve party - Music played was various selections that don't fit any of our usual themes. We have posted a Pictorial Menu of the Ukrainian dishes served at the event, and we also have a Photo Gallery for the event.
23 November 2013: We held our annual St. Cecilia's Day tribute to the memory of Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695), the last great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th century. At 9:30 we had a live performance of Celtic fiddle tunes played by Richard van Healy. At midnight there was the traditional playing of the music Purcell wrote for Queen Mary's funeral. Tribute was also paid to our own departed, and to the friendship of the group. We have posted a Photo Gallery for the event.
26 October 2013: This month we featured works by famous Hungarian composer and collector of folk music, Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967). While we will played some of his popular orchestral works, we also played a fair amount of his worthy but neglected chamber and choral works. This event was as the La Crescenta location. We have a Pictorial Menu of dishes served at this event, a Playlist for the music, and a Photo Gallery.
28 September 2013: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, presented many of the serious works of late 20th century composer Frank Zappa. Playlist is not ready yet but will be posted soon. We do have a Pictorial Menu of the food presented at this event, all of it of Greek origin.
27 July 2013: This event was held at the La Crescenta location. We presented works by famous, infamous and unknown South American composers, all from the 20th Century. We have a Playlist, a Pictorial Menu and a Photo Gallery.
22 June 2013: This month was a bit different, because it also celebrated Bonnie and Tim's 33rd wedding anniversary. It began outdoors at 2:00pm and there was live music and dance entertainment by Sabersong. In the evening there was Scandinavian music, mostly Icelandic. We have posted a Photo Gallery, and we have a link to the Norwegian Fisherman's Potato Salad which was liked by many.
25 May 2013: This month features spectacular music by 20th century Spanish composers, including complete versions of two pieces generally known only by short excerpts, and some unfamiliar pieces by very familiar Spanish composers. Playlist and Pictorial Menu and Photo Gallery.
27 Apr 2013: This month we featured music by a couple of Exiles: Kurt Weill, run out of Germany by the Nazis, and Charlie Chaplin, run out of the USA by the Commie Witch Hunts (and women with paternity suits). This was at the La Crescenta location. The food served was all South American, in recognition of certain participants who found exile in South America expedient after the last Great Unpleasantness. Pictorial Menu and Playlist.
31 Dec 2012: New Year's party. Music played was various titles that wouldn't ordinarily fit into a normal Music Group theme. A Photo Gallery has been posted.
17 Nov 2012: November brought our annual St. Cecilia's Day program, culminating in a solemn ceremony in honor of Henry Purcell, the last great English composer until near the dawn of the 20th century. This event was held at the Altadena location, and we have a Photo Gallery.
20 October 2012 This event was devoted to works by Nicolai A. Rimsky-Korsakov. He gets little respect in music circles because he was well adjusted, not gay, not tortured or suicidal, happily married, highly successful, remains very popular, and taught a large portion of the next generation of composers, including Igor Stravinsky, the composing business. Play List.
1 Sept 2012: This month featured lesser known music by Ottorino Respighi. It was held at the Altadena location.
28 July 2012: This was a sort of impromptu indoor-outdoor event, featuring a hot grill and Rennaisance music, mostly English and Spanish. It was held at the La Crescenta location.
23 June 2012: Our June program was devoted to the music of English composer Edmund Rubbra. While greatly respected by his peers, he was a total dud at promoting is compositions, so is not well known today. This event was held at the Altadena location.
28 April 2012: This program was devoted to the music of lesser known by very worthy Italian composers. It was held at the La Crescenta location.
31 March 2012: This was our annual Bach's Birthday event, but this time also featured music by his brother and sons. It was held at the Altadena location.
28 January 2012: The program for this event celebrated mucal works of the great Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. It was held at the Northridge location.
10 December 2011: This was our traditional Holliday program featuring medeival Christmas carols and Sephardic music from Spain and the Jewish diaspora from Spain. It was held at the La Crescenta location.
19 November 2011: This was the annual St. Cecilia's Day celebration in honor of the life and works of Henry Purcell. It was, as usual, held at the Altadena location and featured the customary midnight ceremony.
29 October 2011: This event, held at the La Crescenta location, featured music by Modest Mussorgsky, and featured all three major versions of Night on Bald Mountain.
20 August 2011: This program featured Rennaisance period music from Italy, England, France and Germany, and was held at the La Crescenta location. We have posted a Pictorial Menu from the event.
18 June 2011: This month featured lighter music from England. It was held at the Altadena location.
28 May 2011: This month we featured music by Earnest Bloch, a Swiss born American composer of Jewish extraction - a relatively obscure composer who very much deserves more exposure. This highly successful gathering was held at the Northridge location. A Photo Gallery has been posted which includes notes on the food served.
30 April 2011: Our annual April "Too Much Bach" event featured French composers none of whom was even remotely associated with the Baroque. This very successful gathering was held at the La Crescenta location, and a Photo Gallery has been posted and also a Pictorial Menu of some of the food served.
26 March 2011: This was our annual tribute to J.S. Bach, who's music was played exclusively. This very successful gathering was held at the Northridge location, and a Photo Gallery has been posted. The recipe for the very well liked Bavarian Sausage Stew has also been posted.
26 February 2011: Our winter theme continued with music of Scandinavia. This very successful gathering was held at the La Crescenta location, and a lot of Scandinavian food was eaten, A Photo Gallery has been posted and also a Pictorial Menu of some of the food served.
11 December 2010: Our annual Holiday program was highly successful, featuring music of Medieval Christians and Sephardic Jews. This program was held at the La Crescenta venue, and a number of Spanish and Sephardic dishes were served. A Photo Gallery and Pictorial Menu have been posted.
20 November 2010: This was the annual St. Cecilia's day celebration of the music of Henry Purcell, the last great English composer until the modern age. It was held at the Altadena venue. A Photo Gallery has been prepared.
24 April 2010: Another Bach night, but this time it was Offenbach! His serious music was featured as well as popular comedic hits. This very successful event was held at the Pennsylvania Avenue venue in La Crescenta. A number of French dishes were served (including frog legs, of course) and a Pictorial Recipe Index has been prepared, as well as a Photo Gallery from the event.
20 March 2010: This gathering featured music of the Bach family (J.S. and Sons). It was held at the Alzada Road venue in Altadena. Aside from the music, the Prussian Meatballs served with Sauerkraut with Apples were a great hit.
27 February 2010: This gathering focused on the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and was held at the Pennsylvania Avenue location in La Crescenta. German dishes were served and a Pictorial Recipe Index has been prepared.
30 January 2010 This gathering was be a cheerful evening featuring Medieval and Renaissance Dance Music, "Village Idiot Music" according to KUSC's Jim Svejda (but I think he blames the description on someone else). The gathering was held at the Balcom Avenue venue in Northridge. Partial Play List, Food Notes and other details will be found on the Photo Gallery page.
31 December 2009:
The Music Group held an impromptu New Years Eve party at the Alzada
Road venue in Altadena. A good time was had by all and no-one was
arrested.
Photo Gallery
12 December 2009:
Ancient and Classical Christmas Music was featured. This event was
held at the Pennsylvania Avenue location in La Crescenta. A number of
Spanish dishes were served and a
Pictorial
Recipe Index has been prepared.
Photo Gallery
21 November 2009:
The annual St. Cecilia's day tribute to Henry Purcell at the Alzada
Road location in Altadena. A whole roasted turkey and many other fine
dishes were served, including a
Sicilian Rabbit Stew
(but made with chicken thighs) which was greatly liked.
Photo Gallery
24 October 2009:
Music of Camille Saint-Saëns and other French composers of his
era was featured at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge. Among
other dishes served was
Chicken Marengo, enjoyed by all.
Photo Gallery
1 Aug 2009:
This gathering was held at the Alzada Road location in Altadena.
Live Music was performed - eclectic pieces performed on string bass and
guitar. The performance was very well received. Among other fine dishes
a Vietnamese Beef Salad with
Mint was served.
Photo Gallery
-- Summer Recess --
27 June 2009:
Film music by serious composers was featured at the Alzada Road
location in Altadena. Among other dishes served was a
very fine Tabouleh
salad. Photo Gallery
30 May 2009:
This gathering featured Music of Sir Arnold Bax - Englishman turned
Irish, and was held at the Pennsylvania Ave. location in La Crescenta.
A number of Irish dishes from the Clovegarden site were served
at the gathering. A Pictorial
Recipe Index has been prepared. There is also a
Photo Gallery.
25 April 2009:
This gathering featuring Music of German Baroque composer Georg
Philipp Telemann was held at the Pennsylvania Ave. location in La
Crescenta. A number of German dishes from the Clovegarden site were
served at the gathering. A
Pictorial Recipe Index has been prepared.
28 March 2009:
This gathering featured music by by J.S. Bach and by composers who
were strongly influenced by him. It was held at the Alzada Road
location in Altadena. The recipe for the well liked German
Goulash Soup
served at the gathering is here on the Clovegarden site.
28 February 2009:
This gathering featured music by Finnish composers and was held
at the Pennsylvania Avenue location in La Crescenta. A number of
Finnish dishes from the Clovegarden site were served at the gathering.
A Pictorial Recipe
Index has been prepared.
24 January 2009:
This gathering was held at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge
starting at 7:00pm and featured a Felix Mendelssohn Bicentennial
celebration. A short talk and demonstration of some interesting
points of Mendelssohn's music was given. A Moroccan Jewish stew was
served at the gathering and well liked. The recipe,
Sefrina with Beef,
is here on the Clovegarden site.
13 December 2008:
This
gathering was held at the Pennsylvania Avenue location in La Crescenta
and featured early Christmas and Sephardic. In keeping with the
Sephardic theme, several Moroccan dishes were served at the gathering
(many Jews resettled in Morocco when driven out of Spain). A
Pictorial Recipe Index
has been prepared.
15 November 2008:
This was our traditional St Cecilia's Day celebration and
was held at the Alzada Road location in Altadena starting at 7:00pm.
The music of Henry Purcell was featured and a midnight memorial
ceremony was held. In honor of St. Cecilia, who lived in Sicily
during the Roman Empire, a Roman period recipe was served. The recipe,
Chicken with Almonds,
is here on the Clovegarden site. It was well liked at the gathering.
25 October 2008:
The gathering was held at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge
starting at 7:00pm. Works by Howard Hanson and other New England
composers were featured. A New England clam chowder was served at the
gathering to great acclaim. The recipe,
Clam Chowder - New
England, is here on the Clovegarden site.
September 2008
Summer Recess
23 August 2008
This gathering, held at the Pennsylvania Avenue location in
La Crescenta, featured music by prolific American Armenian composer
Alan Hovhaness. This was the first event with Andrew Grygus in charge
of sending the invitations.
19 July 2008
This gathering, held at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge
featured lesser known and serious works of Frank Zapa. A large
collection of CDs and a few books were on hand, courtesy of
Pat Cosgrove.
Photo Gallery.
28 June 2008
This gathering
was held at the La Crescenta location and featured works of current
composers working in Australia and New Zealand. In keeping with
Australian "fusion cuisine" Indonesian chicken curry and
pineapple/cucumber salad were served along with many other potables
and comestibles.
Photo Gallery
17 May 2008:
The gathering was held at the Alzada Road location in Altadena and
featured works of less well known 20th Century Russian Composers. The
music was well liked as was the food which included chicken and Siberian
meat stuffed dumplings.
19 April 2008:
The gathering was held at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge
and featured works of Heitor Villa-Lobos and other South American
composers.
29 March 2008
Held at the La Crescenta location this gathering departed somewhat
from tradition. While some pieces by J.S. Bach were featured, it was
not an all Bach event. The remainder of the evening was thrown open for
music people wished to share. We started with Saint-Saens and ended
with Steeleye Span. In between were works by Peter Maxwell Davies
(Mavis in Las Vegas), Randall Thompson and Eric Satie. The event was
well attended and there was plenty of food, including a chicken curry,
celery à la grecque and Dong'an chicken.
Photo Gallery
23 February 2008:
The gathering was held at the Alzada Rd. venue in Altadena.
and featured the music of British symphonist Edmund Rubbra.
Attendance was good and plenty of food and drink were contributed by
attendees, including a big pot of
Hungarian Pork and
Sauerkraut Stew (Szekely Goulash).
26 January 2008:
This
gathering was held at the Balcom Avenue venue and the theme was
Composers of Sweden and Norway. Snacks, drinks, a pot of pasta
with vegetables and a crock of Swedish meatballs in sour cherry sauce
were contributed and enjoyed by all. Many fine and artistic pictures
taken by Bonnie on her trip to Northern California and Oregon were
viewed on
computer screen.
15 December 2007:
Held at the La Crescenta site, the theme for this event was
Sephardic Songs and True Carols. A real feast was contributed
by attendees, including a Georgian beef stew that was quite popular,
Georgian green bean salad, Chinese pig ear salad, cheeses, pies,
cookies, wine, beer and coconut water. Much of the conversation dealt
with historic and religious matters in keeping with the theme and the
season, but all remained peaceful just the same.
28 April 2007:
This was the first event held at the La Crescenta site, now
possible with long banished Andrew Grygus returning to the Music
Group upon Jon Lackey's death in February. The theme was Medieval and
Renaissance music from Jon Lackey's music collection. Ironic, no?
Jon's ashes were smoldering that evening.
Invitation.
17 March 2007:
This was the first event attended by Andrew Grygus after the
death of Jon Lackey ended his 30 year banishment. It was held at
the Alatadena location, and we do have a small
Photo Gallery and the
Invitation which served also
as notice of Jon Lackey's death in February.
==================
Time Separation
==================Events below this Time Separation were gleaned from the archives.
December 2006:
This event, thought to be the last one attended by Jon Lackey, was
held at the Balcom Avenue location. We have a very small
Photo Gallery.
July 2006:
Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson's farewell event - house sold and
moving to the Frozen North. Details were not recorded, but we do have a
Photo Gallery.
22 April 2006:
An event celebrating the music of Dmitri Shostakovich was held at
the home of Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson.
March 2006:
This was a Bach's Birthday event as shown by the portrait and
candles. We don't have a firm date but it has to be 2006 or earlier
or Jim Johnson would have moved to the Frozen North. We have a very
small Photo Gallery.
27 January 2006:
A midwinter gathering featuring music of John Dowland. It
was held at the home of Howard Bilow in Woodland Hills, CA.
Invitation.
14 January 2006:
Placement of these photos is uncertain, but there was an invitation
for an event this day at the Balcom Avenue location, featuring works
by Marin Marais. Photo Gallery.
19 November 2005:
This was the annual St Cecilia's Day event celebrating the music
of Henry Purcell, with the usual solumn ceremony at midnight.
1 October 2005:
This event at the home of Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson featured
"XVI and XVII Century Consort Music".
4 June 2005:
An event celebrating the works of Bohuslav Martinu was held at the
Altadena location.
2005:
Not an actual Music Group event, but a hike put on by Jon Lackey.
It is in the Rocky Peak Park. We have only one
Photo from this event.
30 April 2005:
This event, held at the home of Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson
featured works by George Anthiel.
29 January 2005:
Held at the home of Karen and David Miodowski on Balcom Avenue,
this event featured Nordic Composers on the Cusp of
Modernism. Invitation.
The photos in the Photo Gallery
may be misplaced - but they are from the right period and location.
20 November 2004:
The annual St Cecilia's Day tribute to Henry Purcell and
his music. 5:30 pm at the Alzada Road location. It was also the
households "Annual Squash Festival" when the harvest of large Hubbard
Squash is presented.
Invitation.
20 March 2004:
A Bach's Birthday event was held at the Balcom Avenue location.
7 February 2004:
A 50th anniversity retrospective and future planning event was
held at the Altadena location. We have a somewhat lengthly
Invitation written by
Jon Lackey. There followed a summary from the event and Jon's
goal to set up a philosophical discussion group separate from
the Music Group. It held a meeting entitled "The Convergence of
Science and Art" for 6 March 2004 at the home of Jennifer Frykman
and Jim Johnson. I have a long topic introduction for a meeting
scheduled for 26 Feb 2005, titled "How We Invent Ourselves", but
nothing more.
10 January 2004:
An event celebrating the works of Havergal Brian was held at the
Balcom Avenue location in Northridge, home of Karen and David
Miodowski.
December 2003:
Held at the Altadena address, the theme for this event was not
recorded, but we have a small
Photo Gallery.
27 September 2003:
This event, held at the Balcom Avenue location, celebrated the
music of Gustav Holt. That the photos match this event is not certain,
but quite likely.
Photo Gallery.
30 August 2003:
A celebration of Post-Modern Music was held at the home of
Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson.
21 June 2003:
This varied event, featuring liturgical chant, was held at the home
of Howard Bilow. It featured a live presentation my Gaia Mama using
Tibetan temple bells and vocalizations. It was held in the garden,
starting at 3:00pm.
23 May 2003:
An event celebrating the music of "Le Groupe dex Six" (Georges Auric,
Louis Durcy, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Francois Poulenc,
Germain Tailleferre) was held at the Altadena location.
April 2003:
Held at the home of Howard Bilow, this event had a varied program,
and a number of Howard's friends attending. We have a small
Photo Gallery from the
event.
March 2003:
A Bach's Birthday event was held at the home of Jon and Marge
Stringer.
February 2003:
This event was held at the Altadena location, but we have only one
Photo and no other
information.
October 2002:
The theme was not recorded, but the presence of decorated
Hubbard squash keys it to October, the annual Squash Festival at
the Altadena location. We have a very small
Photo Gallery.
28 April 2001:
An event was held at the Altadena Location celebrating the music
of Giuseppe Tartini.
2002:
The exact date or event theme are not known, but there was an
event at the home of Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson's home in 2002.
We have a very small
Photo Gallery.
24 November 2001:
This annual St. Cicilia's Day event, featuring the music of Henry
Purcel, was held at the Altadena location. It was also the 2nd anual
Squash Festival, starting at 4:00pm, thus with time for outdoors shots.
Photo Gallery.
28 April 2001:
An event was held at the home of Jennifer Frykman and Jim Johnson
celebrating the music of Béla Barók.
24 March 2001:
This was an annual Bach's Birthday event held at the Altadena
location. We have a very small
Photo Gallery.
December 2000:
Held at the Balcom Avenue location in Northridge, the home of
Karen and David Miodowski, the exact date is questionable, but placed
in December because Ron Cobb has not yet returned to Australia, and
there is no evidence it was a St. Cecilia event (November). It is also
a meeting attended by Jon Stringer (in wheelchair) after his stroke.
Unfortunately, the photos were taken with outdoor film, but we do have
a Photo Gallery.
October 2000:
A very important event, because Ron Cobb, one of the founders of
CD (eventually becoming Musica Donavania) attended. He lives in
Australia now but was visiting the United States. It was held at the
Altadena location, where it was also the annual Squash festival.
We have a fairly extensive
Photo Gallery.
February 2000:
This event was held at the Altadena location. The theme was not
recorded, but we have a fairly extensive
Photo Gallery.
9 May ????:
This event, held at the home of Jan and Mallory Geller in
Los Angeles (year to be determined, but somewhere around here). Music
compositions of Dieterich Buxtehude, J.S. Bach, Johann Mattheson,
and G.F. Handel were featured. This event was announced with a
very long Invitation,
mostly based on the matter of Buxtehude's daughter, but it failed to
mention the year.
November 1994:
We are pretty sure of November, because of the candles, but not
certain it was 1994, but the Stringers did host at least one other
event that year. We have a very small
Photo Gallery.
19 March 1994?:
This was an annual Bach's Birthday event, held at the home
of Jon Stringer in Long Beach. Music of J.S. Bach was featured.
Invitation.
1990:
This even was held at Karen Semco's place somewhere between
1988 and 1992. We have only one
Photo and no other
information.
1988:
We don't have a record of the theme or the month, but it was held
at the home of Ann and Karen Semco. We do have a small
Photo Gallery
14 & 21 January 1967:
This double Invitation
presents a Medieval and Renaissance music on the 14th at Ron Myron's
apartment in Hollywood. The presentation on the 21st of "Music and
Anti-Music" was held at the home of Jerry Wood's mother in Arcadia
(where Jerry Woods and Will Birkner also lived). The invitation was
probably written by Jerry Woods.
10 & 17 December 1966:
This double
Invitation included
Russian music on Myers Street in Burbank on the 10th, at the home of
Tom Slover's parents. The program for the 17th was Viennese
music at the home of Jerry Wood's mother in Arcadia (where Jerry Woods
and Will Birkner also lived). The invitation was probably written
by Jerry Woods.
15 October 1966:
This was a presentation of Italian music played at Ron Myron's
apartment in Hollywood.
Invitation.
17 September 1966:
This was a presentation of music by Ralph Vaughn Williams played
at Ron Myron's apartment in Hollywood. This was presented by the
Philip Yoiville Society, reflecting a rejection of Jon Lackey's
domination. While the group eventually returned to Jon Lackey, it's
nature was forever changed, with all events at locations other than
Jon Lackey's cluttered digs and program control firmly with
Jon Stringer. The other addresses on the invitation are for
Andrew Grygus on La Tuna Canyon Road (an upgraded farm worker's shack)
and Tom Slover's parents home in Burbank.
Invitation.
21 November 1965:
The annual St Cecilia's Day tribute to Henry Purcell and
his music, hosted by the "Music Division" of the Chesley Donavan
Foundation. It was held at Jon Lackey's storefront digs. Jon Stringer
is mentioned as the "Music Librarian" so he was clearly firmly
established within the group by this time. The
Invitation was
printed on fancy paper by Andrew Grygus, Will Birkner and Jerry
Woods on the big letterpress in Jerry Woods' mother's garage.
21 November 1964:
The annual St Cecilia's Day tribute to Henry Purcell and
his music, Presented by the Chesley Donavan Foundation (the name
"Music Group" was not yet in use). It was held at 7:00 pm at Jon'
Lackey's storefront digs at 1544 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles CA (a
building since demolished). The elaborate
Invitation was printed
by Andrew Grygus, Will Birkner and Jerry Woods on the big letterpress
in Jerry Woods' mother's garage.
21 March 1964:
This is the first hard evidence I have of the "Music Division"
forming an entity distinct from the Chesley Donavan Foundation. It is
a Bach's Birthday month event. I have no recollection who's home this
was in, though since the
Invitation says
"Music Division Headquarters", Jon Stringer may have lived there.
21 March 1961:
A very early Bach's Birthday event, presented by the
Chesley Donavan Foundation (the name "Music Group" was not yet in use).
It was held upstairs in the Elysian Theater Building on Riverside Drive,
Los Angeles, where Jon Lackey had his digs at the time. The
Invitation was printed
by Andrew Grygus, Will Birkner and Jerry Woods on the big letterpress
in Jerry Woods' mother's garage.