Moondog 100 years old. Louis Thomas Hardin alias Moondog. He would attain the ripe old age of 100 at the end of May. In this Theme broadcast we take a look back on Moondog’s turbulent musical career.
The American composer who passed away in 1999 was truly a jack-of-all-trades. He went blind at the age of 16 but this didn’t stop him from working as a percussionist, conductor, singer, poet, maker of instruments and New York’s most famous busker. With his characteristic Viking helmet and cloak he attracted a lot of attention in the Big Apple, between 1942 and the early 70s.
After that Hardin moved to Germany where his music gained appreciation. One of his biggest fans is composer Philip Glass who put him up for a while as well.
In this Theme broadcast we take a look back on Moondog’s turbulent musical career. A connecting thread throughout this broadcast is the brandnew interpretation of Moondog’s songs that were on the album ‘Moondog 2’. The French ensembles Dedalus and Muzzix gave Moondog’s songs from the 50s and 60s a face-lift. You will also hear a lot of classical work by Moondog, from several of his albums such as ‘Moondog’, ‘Moondog in Euroep’, ‘H’art Songs’ and ‘Elpmas’.
Moondog:
1. ‘Bells are ringing’ op Moondog: Round the World of Sound. Dedalus + Muzzix ensembles.
New World Records 80774-2 CD
2-5:
2.‘What’s the most exciting thing?’; 3. ‘All is Loneliness’; 4. ‘Coffee Beans’; 5. ‘Down is Up’ op Moondog: Round the World of Sound.
Dedalus + Muzzix ensembles.
New World Records 80774-2 CD
6-9:
6. ‘Theme’; 7. ‘Lament 1 (Bird’s lament)’; 8. ‘Minisym #1’; 9. ‘Symphonique #3 (Ode to Venus)’ on Moondog/Moondog 2.
Moondog and ensemble.
BGO Records BGO CD510 CD
10-12:
10. ‘Chaconne in G major’; 11. ‘Romance in G major’; 12. ‘Logründr XIX (portrait of my mother)’ for organ, on Moondog in Europe.
Moondog and ensemble + Fritz Storfinger, organ.
Kopf Records 883 443-907 CD
13-17:
13. ‘Nero’s Expedition’; 14. ‘With my Wealth’; 15. ‘Wine, women and song’; 16. ‘Sadness’; 17. ‘Maybe’ on Moondog: Round the World of Sound.
Dedalus + Muzzix ensembles.
New World Records 80774-2 CD
18-21:
18. ‘Here’s to John Wesley Hardin’; 19. ‘I’m in the World’; 20. ‘Do Your Thing’; 21. ‘I’m This, I’m That’ op Moondog: H’art Songs.
Moondog, vocals and percussion + Fritz Storfinger, piano.
Kopf Records 883 444-907 CD
22. ‘Cosmic Meditation’ on Moondog: Elpmas.
Moondog, keyboards, electronics.
Kopf Records KD 123314 CD
23-27:
23. ‘Each Today’; 24. ‘Imagine’; 25. ‘You, the Vandal’; 26. ‘Behold’; 27. ‘Sparrow’ op Moondog: Round the World of Sound.
Dedalus + Muzzix ensembles.
New World Records 80774-2 CD
