One of the questions Randolph hates to answer is “Where do you come from?” Why? Because the answer can be so time-consuming and, in a way, also gives away how old I am, Plus the questioner has to wrestle with the wish he hadn’t asked the question!!
He was born in Cairo, Egypt, many moons ago of British parents although he can trace Maltese and Croatian ancestry in his lineage. Educated in a Jesuit college in London his wander lust for things unorthodox drove him to embark on a seafaring career with both Canadian Pacific Steamships and Shaw Savill. That in itself dates him because both lines have been redundant for many a year.
One of his boasts is that he was the Purser on the “Gothic” which ten years previously had been Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Yacht soon after her coronation in 1953. One of the objects imported on the ship by HM and left behind was a tape player which Randolph utilised on many a memorable Sunday evening with a classical concert for his passengers. Thus began a journey that not only awakened Randolph’s love for good music but also eventually led to his extensive knowledge of music in all forms. That he loves the era of Sinatra, Crosby, Armstrong, Dorsey (both) and many many more exponents of the post-war music scene is also part and parcel of his appreciation of the music of many an era.
These days Randolph is retired but still reviews CDs and DVDs and has written articles on such diverse personalities as Yvonne Kenny, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Alexander Briger, the late Sir John Tavener, Sir James Galway, Dawn Upshaw and countless probes into the music of Gustav Mahler, Elizabeth Shwarzkopf and her husband Walter Legge, Glenn Gould, Leonard Bernstein and many many more he regrets to admit he has lost track of!
Before emigrating to Australia, Randolph spent a number of years as a Flight Dispatcher in Canada. Since arriving in Australia, Randolph has written for The Weekend Australian (especially in their travel pages), The Sydney Morning Herald, Opera Opera and Fine Music magazine as well as writing for some jazz magazines.
Have you heard of Jack Carty? If you’re a Country and Western fan, then perhaps you have. I haven’t but I wish I had. He’s an Aussie who has recently come back from 2 years spent living, recording, writing and …
CD Review – Across the Stars
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
The Recording Art’s Orchestra of Los Angeles/John Williams
DG 4797553
4 out of 5 stars
Anne-Sophie Mutter and John Williams belong to same mutual appreciation society.
Of Mutter, Williams writes: “Anne-Sophie …
Have you ever wondered what the best-selling Christmas song is? Unexpectedly, it’s Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ sung by Bing Crosby. Written in 1940-41 when sheet music sales were much more numerous than record sales it has, to date, sold more …
He was born on December 1, 1930 as Terence Edward Parsons and, in an attempt to reach some kind of recognition for his singing talent, assumed names like Terry Fitzgerald, Al Jordan, Fred Flange (Fred Flange?…more on that later) and …
George Ellis is quite unique in the music world. Who else loved The Beatles at age 4 and finished off conducting a motley mixture of music (including classical) for a living. And arranges songs to boot! And is a composer! …
Australian baritone, José Carbó and his partner, soprano Jenna Robertson think he’s the bees-knees! And so do I. But more from them a bit later.
Just before and just after the Second World War was a golden era for opera …
She was nicknamed “Dusty” because from a young age she liked playing soccer with the boys. A tom-boy; which probably was an indicator for her later years when her sexual orientation was (at least according to her) indeterminate.
Born Mary …
According to his former manager, Herbert Breslin, Pavarotti loved ‘music, women, food and football.’ At 150 kgs he devoured heaps of pasta, heavily sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and loads of salami. His conception of dieting consisted of a whole chicken, …
There’s a new bio pic ‘Judy’ about Judy Garland opening in cinemas this Thursday. Sydney Arts Guide writer Randolph Magri-Overend has prepared this bio piece for readers prior to seeing the movie.
On 22 June 1969 Mickey Deans arrived …
Some legends never die. I suppose that’s why they’re legends. Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogerpoulos (shortened to Callas) born 2 December, 1923 was one. Articles, like this one about her have been written – even a documentary film – and …