Sing Hoity, Toity . . .!
The
abrasive William wrote between 11pm and 3.00am. After the disappointment of
Thespis he returned to writing plays - some seventy in all! He always regarded
them more seriously than the trivialities (his description) he produced for the
operatic stage!
Great Heavens, What is there to
adulate in me?
Likewise, Arthur's desire to write serious music was
paramount. After all, here was a composer of considerable reputation, who had written major
musical works, and on whom Royal families showered honours and decorations. Expectations
of his 'serious music' side came from many quarters, including his contemporary
the great Sir
Hubert Parry.
A Source of Innocent Merriment!
Why should he be trifling with giddier forms of music! It might have been the
influence of composers like the Strausses or Offenbach, or playing light,
'entertaining' music to his Royal friends, including the Queen's fun-loving sons
- the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, or simply his own innate sense
of exuberance. Whatever the reason, the temptation was overpowering.
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