h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A430840

Here's an entry about Death in the Musical world. Some of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of musicians and composers can be very interesting.

This is a very entertaining entry, Gnomon, well done!

stabbing himself in the foot... whatever next.

re: "and instructed the house door at midnight. "
1659 is a bit early for voice operated door locks

I've fixed that now.

A possible title change as all these are classical musicians...unless John lennon being shot after his "lie in for peace" is included, and it's straight to the front page for you (again)

Hello,

Nice, although I'm not too sure why anybody would think that Haydn's skull is just the thing to decorate the mantelpiece. Nah, it's good as usual, informative and entertaining.

Yours,
Jake

After further research, I've changed the entry about Haydn's skull slightly. It is even more sensational now!

I really like this entry; quite fasinating, interesting, and delivered with a dry wit

Poor Haydn, I mean, it's a bit of a shame that he was headless until the 1950s.....

The ways of death actually reminds me of how an esteemed Chinese poet (read major p**s artist), Li Bai died. He was trying to find the moon, and upon finding it's reflection in a vat of wine, drowned trying to catch it

I hope this one gets into the Edited Guide...

Stay ,
WD

I liked the article--of course.

Has anyone writen about Shuman. I heard a story once about how he used wooden blocks to widen the spaces between his fingers, and severly damaged them. Consequently his wife played all his music and made him green with envy.

Great entry, Gnomon!
Two or three points:

Does the word "Reprieval" actually exist?
Or have you mixed up "removal" and "reprieve"?

Two of the items sound a little heartless as it stands (and it would be a pity to hurt people's feelings):

"Shame-Tchaikovsky" just says that he probably committed suicide "because he couldn't face his own homosexuality". A little more about what that actually meant in Imperial Russia (possible death sentence?) and all the problems of his miserable marriage etc. would make this more understandable.

"Madness-Schumann" just mentions his suicide attempt and signing into a mental asylum. A little more detail might show the depth of his mental problems, without making it sound like an inevitable progression for anyone who's made an attempt at suicide.

Otherwise, I like the entry very much.
Azara

Yes, "reprieval" is in the dictionary, although it *is* tagged as archaic....


Mikey (who also likes this one!)

I've put in a bit more about Tchaikovsky and Schumann at Azara's request. I've also corrected the spelling of Reprieve.

That was quick!
I like the extra bits about Tchaikovsky and Schumann.
Nice work.
Azara

I agree with the comment above on reworking the title. When I saw the post on PR, I expected to read something about Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain. When I clicked on it and saw who the author was, I thought it odd, because Gnomon usually writes about classical music. And when I read the article all was made clear, but perhaps the title could be changed for those not so familiar with the author's prior entries?

I actually changed the title on the article as soon as DJ suggested it, but I am unable to change the title on this thread without withdrawing the article and resubmitting it.

wicked
I would have to agree that the title might fit better with 'Classical' in it

other than that, perfect

Ah, so you did. The change passed unnoticed to my inobservant eye. Apologies and well done, again.

'Tis good again... took a little longer than 20 hours for approval this time

Particularly liked Chopin's comment...

Marvellous entry

As a chemist I wonder how anyone could be stupid enough to drink concentrated nitric acid even if it is in an unlabeled bottle.
The fumes would almost knock you out before you got it near your mouth
Maybe he was already totally smashed when he did this?

Hope this gets recommended soon

Orcus

Your wish is my command, Orcus.



This entry has been picked and accepted to become part of the Edited Guide!

It'll go through the subbing procedure, which can take a little time, but you'll be emailed when it hits the front page.

Well done and keep up the good work!