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Volume 55 / Number 4 December 2009

Journal of Fine and Performing Arts Philately

(See Note-Worthy Music Stamps, Part 18, Page 59 FAP December 2009 Volume 55 / 4

NOTE-WORTHY MUSIC STAMPS, PART 18

Ethel Bloesch

[Note: Part 18 describes stamps with musical notation that were issued in 2008.]

BELGIUM. No. 2342 (Figure 1). A BOSNIA & HERZEGOVENA (Serb Admin.). souvenir sheet of ten stamps issued November No. 326 (Figure 2). A stamp issued May 8, 2008 12, 2008, devoted to Belgian music. The stamps to commemorate the 15th Djurdjevdan (St. surround the image of a CD disc. Each stamp George's Day) Children's Song Festival. The features a performer/group (or in the case of competition, held annually in , is Queen Elisabeth, a patron of the arts and founder illustrated on the stamp with a picture of three children singing into a microphone. Two staves of decorative notes are in the background.

COMORO ISLANDS. A miniature Figure 2 sheet issued in 2008 honoring Beethoven and Mozart (Figure 3). The stamp pictures Mozart and a keyboard instrument. The sheet contains a Beethoven portrait in front of an early piano, and an inset picture of a group of performing musicians. In the background is an excerpt from an unidentified music manuscript.

Figure 1 of the international music competition bearing her name). The performers and groups include José Van Dam (opera singer); Festival Rock Werchter; Philippe Herreweghe and his choir Collegium Vocale Gent; the rock band dEUS; Robert Groslot and his chamber orchestra Il Novecento; Philip Catherine (jazz guitarist); the pop group Vaya con Dios; Will Tira and Salvatore Adamo (pop singers); and Jacques Brel (late singer and songwriter). Two of the stamps (for Queen Elisabeth and Tura and Adamo) show several bars Figure 3 of manuscript notation, which, according to the Belgian postal authorities, have been invented by the designer of the stamps.

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CROATIA. Nos. 672-673. Two stamps grew out of a group issued January 22, 2008 featuring Croatian that began meeting musicians Igor Kuljeriæ (1938-2006) (Figure 4) informally in 1854 and Krsto Odak (1888-1965) (Figure 5). to sing Croatian tunes at the home Well-known both as a composer and a of a baron in conductor, Kuljeriæ held important positions, Karlovac. Four including conductor of the Croatian Radio years later, the Television Chorus and Symphony Orchestra and Karlovac Choral director of the Croatian National Theatre. In his Society was formed. early days as a composer he was influenced by In 1868 the group the avant-garde movement in music. His later changed its name to works, however, reflect a more direct and the First Croatian communicative style. He composed in a wide Choral Society variety of genres, including opera, orchestral and "Zora" (Dawn). Its chamber slogan was "Singing music, choral towards the music, Homeland." As the incidental and group thrived, its film music, reputation expanded and crossover beyond the borders projects. The of Karlovac, and the Figure 6 musical society achieved excerpt on the notable success in international festivals in stamp has not in 1927 and at the royal court in been in 1935. In 1941 Zora's activities were identified. banned, and the group was suspended for 37 Figure 4 years. In 1978 it was restored and has now achieved its former status of importance in the A companion stamp honors the composer town of Karlovac and the homeland . The Krsto Odak. Born in the Dalmatian countryside, stamp shows the Town Theatre "Zorin dom Odak spent his early years as a Franciscan monk. Karlovac" and a lyre with the inscription "Singing He left the monastic life in 1919 to pursue a towards the Homeland." Fragments of musical career in music. Following completion of his staves with notes surround the lyre, with those on studies in 1922, he began a forty-year career as side appearing in reverse image. The composer and teacher at the Music Academy in design seems to be based on actual, but . Some, but not all, of his works contain unidentified, music. folklore elements. A mastery of melody and polyphony CUBA. No. permeates 4847. A stamp his music. issued September 5, The musical 2008 for the 100th excerpt on birth anniversary of this stamp José Fernández Diaz, has not commonly known as been Joseíto Fernández identified. (1908-1979), a Cuban singer and songwriter (Figure 7). He is credited with Figure 5 writing "Guantanamera," CROATIA. No. 715. A stamp issued Cuba's best-known December 5, 2008 for the 150th anniversary of song, but there is the Zora Choral Society (Figure 6). The society some dispute about Figure 7

60 FAP December 2009 Volume 55 / 4 its origin. There is no question, though, that arranger of Manx music, Gill adapted the music Fernández used the song regularly on his radio from a traditional Manx air "Mylecharaine" and set program. The song became a popular vehicle for it to English words "O land of our birth." He romantic, patriotic, humorous, or social launched it at the 1907 Manx Music Festival, the commentary lyrics, often improvised on the spot. Guild, and dedicated it to Lady Raglan, the The stamp pictures Fernández playing a guitar, Governor's wife. In the program notes Gill with the music of "Guantanamera" in the expressed the hope that "it would be worthy to background. stand side by side, although at a respectable distance from 'God Save the King.'" The Manx GAMBIA. No. 3156. A sheet with four translation of the words is by John Joseph Kneen. stamps issued May 16, 2008, commemorating the The song became popular immediately but it was 40th anniversary of the film Speedway, starring not until 2003 that it was officially declared the Elvis Presley (Figure 8). It contains four stamps national anthem of the Isle of Man. The stamp with various poses of the singer. The rest of the shows a portrait of Gill, with notes from the sheet has a larger picture of him with a guitar and anthem in the background and a piano score in several decorative notes. the foreground. The set also honors one other musician: the beloved Mary Louisa Wood (1841?-1925), who has been called the Mother of Manx Music for her tireless efforts in the teaching and promotion of music for the Manx people (Figure 10). Figure 10

GREAT BRITAIN - JERSEY. No. 1310. One stamp in a set of five issued March 3, 2008 for the centenary of the Jersey Eisteddfod (Figure 11). Inaugurated in 1908 by Dean Samuel Falle, Figure 8 the first Jersey Eisteddfod took place on October 1 of that year. Since 1908 the continuity of the Eisteddfod has been disrupted only by the two GREAT BRITAIN - ISLE OF MAN. No. world wars. In the 1980s separate festivals were 1276e (Figure 9). One stamp in a set of 10 established for the Performing Arts and the issued August 1, Creative Arts. The five stamps (Arts and Crafts, 2008 in two Dance and Drama, se-tenant strips, Speech, Films and entitled "New Photography, and Manx Worthies." Music) reflect the The stamp wide scope of the features William competitive Henry Gill events. The music (1839-1923), stamp features a author and violin, the bell of a composer of the trumpet, and Manx national three colorful anthem, "Arrane eighth notes. In ashoonagh dy the background is Figure 11 vannin." A Figure 9 an excerpt from collector and the score

61 FAP December 2009 Volume 55 / 4 of La Mer, a symphonic work in three movements picture of by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), first performed Leonard in in 1905. The excerpt shows the flute and Bernstein oboe solo passages in measures 159-161 of the and three third movement, "Dialogue du vent et de la mer." pages of unidentified GUINEA. music. A sheet issued September 1, INDONESIA. 2008 in its No. 2166. Celebrities I The last in a series (Figure series of six 12). It features souvenir Figure 14 Cyd Charisse sheets and Fred Astaire issued over a six-day period in October 2008 for on the stamp. the 22nd Asian International Exhibition "Jakarta The sheet shows 2008." It was issued on October 28, 2008 for them dancing Youth Pledge Day (Figure 15), commemorating a amid swirls of declaration made on October 28, 1928 by young decorative Indonesian nationalists at a congress in Jakarta, notes. proclaiming the unity of the Indonesian peoples. At that congress the song "Indonesia Raya" was GUINEA-BISSAU. performed for the first time. Both words and Two sheets Figure 12 music were written by Wage Rudolf Soepratman issued August 5, (1903-1938). This song became the national 2008 honoring maestros and composers. One anthem in sheet contains four stamps. Each stamp pairs a 1945 when conductor and a composer, with unidentified Indonesia music in the background: Wilhelm Furtwängler achieved and Richard Wagner; Daniel Barenboim and independenc Mozart; Leonard Bernstein and Igor Stravinsky; e. The sheet and Benjamin Zander and Beethoven. Alongside design shows the stamps are three pages of unidentified music a stylized and a conductor leading an orchestra (Figure 13). version of the event, along with a violin and a scroll containing the words and music of Figure 15 the anthem.

JORDAN. Nos. 1916-1921. A set of five stamps and a sheet issued September 22, 2008, featuring musical instruments (Figures 16-21). The five stamps have individual pictures of these instruments: oud (a pear-shaped fretless stringed instrument), rebab ( a two-stringed bowed instrument), zither, flutes, and tambourine Figure 13 and drum. The sheet combines pictures of all the instruments. Four deorative notes are shown on The other sheet contains one stamp, featuring the each of the stamps and on the sheet. conductor Zubin Mehta and the composer Hector Berlioz (Figure 14). Alongside the stamp is a

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Figure 20 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19

It appeared previously on a stamp issued in 2002. The fourth opera (Figure 25) is Tell the Story, Forest! It premiered in 1971 in Pyongyang, and the composer is unknown. The song "Star of General" was Figure 22 composed by

Sol Myong-sun (b. 1936) with Figure 21 words by Ri Chong-ryul. It is sung in KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC Act 4, Scene OF. Nos. 4753-4757. A set of five stamps issued 1. The fifth June 5, 2008 titled "Five Revolutionary Operas." opera is The Each stamp shows a scene and the words and Song of melody of a song sung in the opera. Most of Kumgang these songs are sung off-stage (a pangchang). Figure 23 Mountain The first opera is The Sea of Blood (Figure 22), (Figure 26), composed in 1971 by Ri Myong-sang (1908-1989) composer unknown, which premiered in 1973 in and first performed that year at the National Arts Pyongyang. Theatre, Pyongyang. The song shown is "Don't The song is Cry, Ulnam," sung off-stage just after the also titled overture. The next opera is The Flower Girl "The Song of (Figure 23), which premiered in 1972 at the Kumgang Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang. The Mountain." composer is unknown. The song is "Beloved [This Brother and Our Sisters." The third opera is The information Story of a Nurse (Figure 24), composer unknown, was provided which premiered in 1971 in Pyongyang. The song by Chuichi "Dear General, Where Are You?" was originally a Maeda.] song praising Kim Jong-il. Figure 24

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MACEDONIA. No 455. A stamp issued October 22, 2008 to honor Saint John Kukuzelis (ca.1280-1360). Born in to a Bulgarian mother, Kukuzelis is also Figure 25 claimed by the Macedonians. A remarkable singer and composer of Byzantine chant, Kukuzelis is regarded as the most Figure 28 important musical figure of his time. He created a system of Byzantine notation that is named after him. The stamp shows a facsimile of Figure 26 a chant manuscript in his notation (Figure 28).

LUXEMBOURG. No. 1241. A stamp issued MACEDONIA. No. 456. A stamp issued September 30, 2008 to mark the 100th October 22, 2008 for the 150th anniversary of the anniversary of the founding of the birth of Volleksbildungsbewegung (Popular Education and Giacomo Cultural Centre) (Figure 27). This association, Puccini (1858-1924). Previous issues honoring Puccini have shown excerpts from La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, thus Figure 29 featuring Puccini's renown as an opera composer. Curiously, though, Macedonia chose to honor Figure 27 Puccini with a little-known piece composed for the world telegraph congress held in Como, in created in Luxembourg City in 1908, was the 1899. The congress commemorated the 100th beginning of a popular education movement anniversary of Alessandro Volta's invention of the throughout the country. It played an important electric battery. For this occasion Puccini part in the intellectual life of Luxembourg, composed a sprightly piano march titled "Scossa sponsoring national and foreign lecturers in the Elletrica" (Electric shock), the first page of which areas of literature, arts, and sciences. The is shown on the stamp honoring Puccini (Figure movement led to the creation of a network of 29). public libraries, the organization of exhibitions, and the beginning of cultural tourism. It was MALAYSIA. No. 1225d, 1226d. One stamp banned and dissolved by the Nazi occupation in a strip of five and in a strip of four issued during World War II, but its cultural and December 1, 2008. The first four stamps in each educational ideals continue today in centers in strip have an identical design. The stamps Bonnevoie and . The stamp depicts picture one of the most beloved cartoon culture and the arts, with an unidentified musical characters in Southeast Asia, the Kampung Boy. excerpt shown in the background. Created by the cartoonist Lat, the Kampung Boy

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Figure 30 series depicts a Muslim boy growing up in a rural NEPAL. No. Malaysian village (or kampung). The laid-back 807. A stamp issued stories give an account of a traditional but November 13, 2008 changing Malaysian family and school life. One of featuring that the stamps depicts him as a Town Boy in a country's national boarding school. He and a companion are playing anthem. After the make-believe musical instruments (actually a revolution against broom and a tennis racquet). Decorative musical the monarchy in notes hover in the air around them (Figure 30). 2006, a new anthem was needed to . No. 2479. A stamp issued replace the old January 3, 2008 to honor Johannes Brahms royalist national (1833-1897), anthem. A public the renowned contest drew 1272 German entries, and the composer winner was the song and pianist "Sayaun Thunga Figure 32 and a leading Phool Ka" (Hundreds musician of of Flowers), written by the poet Pradeep Kumar the 19th Rai (writing under the pseudonym Byakul Maila). century. The The music was composed by Ambar Gurung. The engraved song was officially declared Nepal's national stamp anthem on August 3, 2007. The stamp gives the features a complete melody with Nepali words, printed over portrait of Figure 31 the background of the Nepali flag (Figure 32). An the composer interesting note: the old national anthem and an appeared on an earlier stamp from 1974. excerpt from the opening of his Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 83, in B-flat major. The notes here are SERBIA. No. 430. A souvenir sheet issued m. 2-4 and part of m. 7-8 of the first movement, April 11, 2008 to publicize the 2008 Eurovision shown in a reduction for two pianos (the Song Contest, which was held the following orchestral accompaniment is condensed to a month in . The second-piano part) (Figure 31). Brahms began -- an annual competition held among member sketching the concerto in 1878 during a trip to countries of the European Broadcasting Union -- Italy, and he continued to work on it for the next is a great global television spectacle. It has been three years. Soon after its completion in 1881 he broadcast live every year since its inauguration in played the solo part with piano accompaniment at 1956 and is one of the most-watched a private concert for a small group of friends. The non-sporting events in the world, with a current following month he performed it at its public audience of over 200 million. Each member premiere in . The work was received country submits a song to be performed on live enthusiastically and soon became a part of the television and then casts votes for the other standard repertoire. countries' songs. The winning country then is invited to host the next year's competition. Thus, the 2008 song contest was held in Belgrade, since Serbia won the 2007 contest. The sheet contains

65 FAP December 2009 Volume 55 / 4 one stamp, which is part of a continuous design déferlantes." featuring the silhouette of a female singer and In July, a various images of Belgrade, including the Winner festival Statue. An outline map of is in the called "Les background. Musical staves and decorative notes Déferlantes throughout the sheet serve to unify the design Atlantiques" (Figure 33). takes place on the islands, featuring Figure 35 local artists as well as musicians from and Canada. This crossroads of cultural exchanges has become a popular musical event of the summer. The colorful stamp depicts a guitar, breaker waves, and a collage of unidentified musical excerpts (Figure 35).

ST. THOMAS & PRINCE ISLANDS. Three sets (each with four se-tenant stamps and a sheet) issued February 4, 2008 honoring Figure 33 Rimsky-Korsakov, Puccini, and Schubert.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was . No. 539. A stamp issued April commemorated on the 100th anniversary of his 17, 2008 for the 100th death. The sheet contains one stamp, picturing anniversary of the birth the composer and a scene. The major portion of of the Slovak composer the sheet shows the composer at work with an Eugen Suchoò open score of music and another open score (1908-1993). One of behind a violin. The music in the scores has not the founders of the been identified (Figure 36). "modernist" movement in Slovak music, Suchoò created an extensive body of works. One of his most famous compositions is the opera Krútòava (The Whirlpool), which is Figure 34 considered the first national opera of the Slovak Republic. It was written during the years 1941-1949, and its premiere was in 1949 in . Set in a small hamlet after the First World War, the story is that of a young man driven by jealousy to commit murder. Pursued by his conscience, he eventually confesses his deed and surrenders to Figure 36 the authorities. In addition to its riveting psychological drama, the work contains traditional Giocomo Puccini (1858-1924) was honored on the dances and folk music. A fragment of music from 150th anniversary of his birth. The sheet the opera is shown at the bottom of the stamp, contains one stamp, picturing the composer and a along with a portrait of the composer (Figure 34). poster for La bohème (Figure 37). The rest of the sheet shows other pictures of the composer and ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. No. 865. A images from operas. In the background is a stamp issued July 12, 2008 titled "Les clear, but inidentified, excerpt of music.

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Figure 37 Figure 39

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was honored on the Orchestra 180th for 35 anniversar years. He y of his is the death. A top-selling set of four classical- se-tenant music stamps recording shows the artist of all composer time. in various Each of settings the four (Figure stamps 38). One shows a of the portrait stamps and pictures vignette of Schubert Karajan Figure 40 and a (Figure piano. In Figure 38 40). The the same musical excerpt is shown in the background background is a facsimile of the autograph of each stamp. It is the horn part at the opening manuscript of Schubert's Octet in F, D. 803. The of the Vorspiel (Prelude) to Richard Wagner's octet, scored for clarinet, bassoon, horn, two opera Das Rheingold. violins, viola, cello and double bass, was composed in 1834. Schubert may have used Beethoven's Septet, op. 20 as a model, adding a SWITZERLAND. second violin to the instrumentation. The theme Nos. 1302-1305. A of the first movement is based on Schubert's song set of four stamps "Der Wanderer." The sheet honoring Schubert issued March 4, contains various portraits and a scene showing a 2008 depicting musical gathering. On the background of the musical instruments sheet is an unidentified musical excerpt (Figure (Figure 41). Each 39). instrument represents a ST. THOMAS & PRINCE ISLANDS. Four different style of se-tenant stamps issued March 28, 2008 for the music: the violin 100th anniversary of the birth of Herbert Von stands for classical Karajan (1908-1989). This renowned Austrian music; the Figure 41 musician conducted the Philharmonic Schwyzerörgeli

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(Swiss accordion) for folk music; the electric by a sign on the old guitar for rock/pop; and the saxophone for jazz. Ninth Avenue El that Taken together, the set represents the many said "Baseball Today - facets in the world of music. Each stamp has a Polo Grounds." The similar design in a different color: the instrument words were set to music is shown on the left side of the stamp, and the by Albert Von Tilzer right side features a large treble-clef sign and (1878-1956), a decorative eighth notes. This set won the 2009 composer of Tin Pan Yehudi Menuhin Trophy for the most beautiful Alley tunes, who, like music stamps issued in 2008. The award is based Norworth, had never on a vote by the membership of the Motivgruppe been to a major league Musik. baseball game. The song was published and TUNISIA. No. 1452. One stamp in a set recorded that year and of four issued December 20, 2008 to honor became an instant hit. Tunisian celebrities. Two of the stamps feature The stamp design is musicians: Hedi Jouini based on a trade card Figure 44 (1909-1990) is pictured from the 1880's, with a lute (Figure 42), showing a baseball scene and words promoting a and Ridha el Kalaï product. The product-related words have been (1931-2004) is shown replaced on the stamp by the title of the song playing a violin (Figure "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and the first six 43). The latter stamp notes of the chorus (Figure 44). also contains a musical staff with four notes. UNITED Although el Kalaï had no STATES. No. formal musical training, 4349. A he became one of the stamp issued best-known musicians of September his country and was 8, 2008 to co-founder of the group El celebrate the Figure 42 Manar. A violin festival is rich legacy of held annually in his Latin jazz. honor. Latin jazz combines elements of jazz with Figure 45 musical traditions rooted in Africa, Europe and the Americas. Like jazz, it features such instruments as piano, saxophone and bass, playing and improvising harmonies and melodies. Latin jazz adds a complex rhythm section, which can include conga drums, the bongo, maracas, and other percussion instruments. Latin jazz spread throughout the Figure 43 U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s, reaching new heights during the 1940s and 1950s. Since then, UNITED STATES. No. 4341. A stamp new instruments like the flute and trumpet have issued July 16, 2008 to commemorate the 100th been added to the Latin jazz sound. The stamp's anniversary of the popular baseball song "Take bold, improvisational design captures the upbeat, Me Out to the Ball Game." The chorus of the energetic and romantic spirit that characterizes song has become an important part of baseball much of Latin jazz. In a stylized manner it tradition and is sung during the seventh-inning depicts a tropical evening scene with three stretch of most ball games. The words were musicians playing bass, piano, and conga drums. written in the summer of 1908 by vaudeville star The "j" of "jazz" in the design seems to represent Jack Norworth (1879-1959), supposedly inspired a quarter note of music (Figure 45).

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ADDENDUM TO NOTE-WORTHY MUSIC STAMPS, PART 17 - 2007 ISSUES

GUINEA. Three souvenir sheets issued November 19, 2007 honoring Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin. Each sheet features a portrait of the composer, with additional illustrations on the stamp and on the sheet. Musical excerpts also appear in the background of each sheet. The Mozart excerpt, which is continued on the stamp itself (Figure 1), is unidentified at present. The Beethoven sheet (Figure 2) contains a facsimile from the autograph manuscript of the first movement of his Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, op. 69. This manuscript might be called a composing score, somewhat between a sketch and a Stichvorlage (the final manuscript prior to the printed edition). The page here is printed upside down on the sheet. The Chopin sheet (Figure 3) contains the first page of his Scherzo for piano, op. 20, no. 1, in B minor.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

INDEX TO VOLUME 55

10th Death Anniversary Polish Contemporary Sculptor Wladyshaw Hasior: Deborah Washington ...... 3:40 2008 - Giacomo Puccini- 150th Birth Anniversary: Deborah Washington ...... 2:28 Addendum to Note-worthy Music Stamps, Part 17 - 2007 Issues: Ethel Bloesch...... 4:69 Also from Monaco - The Ballets De Monte-Carlo: Deborah Washington ...... 3:39 American Art: Betty Brodie ...... 2:19 Centenary of th Ballet Russe: Deborah Washington ...... 3:39 Four Centuries of Opera: Deborah Washington ...... 1:3 From the Editor ...... 1:2; 2:18; 3:38; 4:54 Ghana’s Year 2000 Tribute - They Built the Future -100 Years of Modern Architecture: Deborah Washington ...... 3:42 In Memoriam -William West ...... 1:10 Miniatures ...... 3:43' 4:58. New Issues and Items of Interest: Bernard Seckler ...... 1:11; 2:29; 3:44; 4:70 Note-Worthy Music Stamps Part 18: Ethel Bloesch ...... 4:59 Supplement to a Noteworthy Article on Richard Wagner: David Shaw ...... 4:55

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