La Cinquantaine
Musical composition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"La Cinquantaine" (French, IPA: /la sɛ̃.kɑ̃.tɛn/, transl. The Fiftieth Anniversary) is a piece of light music composed by Jean Gabriel-Marie around 1887.[1][2] Described as an "air in the olden style" (French: Air dans le style ancien) in the original manuscript, it was originally written for cello with piano accompaniment,[3] but has since been arranged for many other instruments.
"La Cinquantaine" is included in the Suzuki method Cello School, Volume 3,[4] and is commonly performed by beginner Suzuki cello students.
Popular adaptations
A swing arrangement of the work by James "Jiggs" Noble, recorded in New York City in late 1940 or early 1941 by Woody Herman and his orchestra as "Golden Wedding", became a 1941 hit and a jazz standard.[5] The record is notable for its extended (34-bar) drum solo by Frankie Carlson.[6] Other jazz versions, including those by Adrian Rollini, Barry Wood, and Raymond Scott, use the title "The Girl With The Light Blue Hair".
Audio recordings
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 Golden Wedding (1945), performed by John Serry Sr. and the Joe Biviano Accordion and Rhythm Sextette, on Archive.org |
- Classical
- 1947 – John Serry Sr. with Joe Biviano's Accordion & Rhythm Sextette on the album Accordion Capers for Sonora records.[7][8]
- 1954 – John Serry Sr. performed/arranged the composition for accordion & his ensemble for RCA Victor.[9][10]
- Jazz
- 1941 – Woody Herman and his Orchestra, recorded NYC 13 February 1941. Personnel: John Owens, Steady Nelson, Cappy Lewis trumpets; Vic Hamman, Neil Reid, Bud Smith trombones; Woody Herman clarinet; Eddie Scalzi, Herb Tomkins alto saxes; Micky Folus, Saxie Mansfield tenor saxes; Tommy Linehan piano; Hy White guitar; Walter Yoder bass; Frank Carlson drums; re-released in UK on Brunswick LAT8092 (10" LP) 1955.[11]
- Herman and his orchestra featured in the 1942 film What's Cookin'?, playing "Golden Wedding", amongst other hits by them, as well as The Andrews Sisters and other contemporary musicians.[12]
- 1948 – Adrian Rollini Trio, 1948 film by Video Varieties Corporation, New York, recorded as "The Girl with the Light Blue Hair" and described as "Swinging La Cinquantaine".
