Something for the weekend. Edelweiss, from The Sound of Music. A show tune written for the musical it refers to the sturdy mountain flower, which in the 19th century became a symbol for the people of the Alps. In 1907 it became a symbol of the elite Alpine troops of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The song is a good reflection of the quiet Austrian patriotism of a most remarkable man: Georg Johannes Ritter von Trapp.
Born in 1880 he was the son of a Commander in the Austro-Hungarian navy who had been elevated to the nobility in 1876. This gave his son Ritter (Knight) status, allowing him to put von in his name and to be addressed as baron. His father died when Georg was four, which did not deter him from following in his father’s footsteps by entering the Austrian naval academy in 1894. (more…)
Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Almost Chosen People 