Lydian, Oh Lydian …

TCM ran a couple of the Leonard Bernstein Young People’s Concerts last night. In one, he discussed the different modes. When he got to the Lydian mode, he mentioned that it was frequently used in Polish music. I flashed on the Groucho Marx classic, “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady,” which contains the lyric, “For two bits she will do a mazurka in jazz.” The mazurka is a Polish dance. Was this a very sly, esoteric musical pun on the Lydian mode by Arlen and Harburg?

One thought on “Lydian, Oh Lydian …

  1. Gary Colby

    Okay, I have to comment. First off, i had to google Lydian mode and mazurka… BUT to your question, it probably was! You’re talking about a day of comedic greats, including many unsung comedy sketch writers whose comedy was layered and informed.

    Also, I have to add that I can watch Chico mix it up with the brothers all day! “You can’t fool me, there’s no such thing as a Sanity Clause.” Random and off topic, but Classic.

    Reply

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