July marks the birth anniversary of Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor, Ernst von Dohnányi (July 27, 1877 - February 9, 1960). Although he wrote in various genres, he composed primarily for the piano, including the witty Variations on a Nursery Tune for piano and orchestra, which was used in the most recent Scott Drayco mystery (Melody of Murder). Here's a recording of the composer himself playing the work at the age of 79 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Sir Adrian Boult conducting:
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