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(Max von Schillings - composer as conductor)

Some Robert Schumann this week. Music from the dramatic poem Manfred, from which the overture is the best known work. There have only been a few recordings made of the entire play with music and this is about the only recording of just the music I've heard that includes the entr`acte (the pause after the overture).

Here is a recording made for German Parlophone (issued in the U.S. first on Columbia and later on Decca) in 1928 featuring the Berlin State Opera Orchestra conducted by the composer Max von Schillings.

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(Georges Ulmer - actually from Denmark but no one seemed to mind)

Another virtual unknown here in the States, but a huge artist in France in the 1940s and 50s. Georges Ulmer actually migrated to France via Spain from Denmark where he established a long and successful career and singer, songwriter and actor. His biggest hit was the 1944 "Pigalle" which actually was translated and recorded over here by many American artists at the time and has been reissued quite a lot in France over the years.

This track, a 1946 recording for French Columbia called Nuits de Paris features the band of Alix Combelle who was best known over here for his association with Django Reinhardt in the 1930s and 40s. Another very popular figure in French Jazz throughout the world, Combelle also worked with numerous American musicians, including Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton who were visiting and gigging around Paris in the 1940s and 50s.

Listening to this track you can understand why.

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(Paul Hindemith - A composers take on Beethoven)

Some of my favorite records are ones where the composer is performer, not necessarily of his own work, but of others. Many times it's a fascinating experience and a different take on what you're used to hearing. One of those people is Paul Hindemith, certainly a noteworthy composer in his own rite. But he was also a musician of considerable skill as well. In the early part of the 20th century he was a founding member of The Amar String Quartet, whose recordings fetch insane prices on the collectors market. In the early 1930's, he split off to form his own trio, enlisting the violinist Szymon Goldberg and cellist Emanuel Fuermann and making some memorable recordings of which this is one.

Recorded for Columbia in 1934. The Beethoven Serenade op. 8

Virgin Mobile announced today that the American edition of their annual music festival series this year would be retitled Virgin Mobile FreeFest, offering tickets for the low price of $0.

Headlining this year's fest is reunited punkers Blink-182 and pop rock legends Weezer. The show is on August 30 in Columbia, MD at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Tickets become availible on 6/27 via ticketmaster.com. [Sources say Ticketmaster charges five bucks for delivery, but will-call tickets have ZERO service charge.]

I'm very happy that the hostages were freed in Colombia, but it's kind of interesting that it happens as soon as John McCain pays them a little visit. Richard Blair agrees...

I’ve gotta tell you, ever since the itinerary of the tour was announced, I’ve been scratching my head a bit. It didn’t make any sense. Why would a U.S. presidential candidate feel the need to hobnob with the political elite in Mexico City and Bogota?

Hullabaloo has more...

UPDATE (Nicole): Did McCain violate the Logan Act?