I've often wondered if the flights of the Zeppelins inspired classical music. My search has turned up precious little. If you known of any genre of music inspired by these or any other airships, please let me know. Thank you.

Classical

Herbert Howells: Rhapsody No. 3, for Organ, in C sharp minor.

The English composer wrote a piece which was written, in part, during WWI Zeppelin raids on London.

Rock

No longer climbing that stairway to heaven but still remembered: Led Zeppelin.

Songs

Dory Previn: Reflections in a Mud Puddle

Geez. I think this from very early 60s. Angst-ridden album that deals with inner conflicts and in part with the demise of the Hindenburg. Still available on CD.

Notes

Captain Ernst Lehmann was an avid accordion player, and often played his accordion aloft. Anyone know what he played?

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Rick Archbold THE HINDENBURG: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY (NY-Madison Press/Warner-1994-ISBN: 0446517844) page 153. The text states that it was a Bluthner baby grand piano, made mostly of aluminum, and covered in yellow pigskin, it weighed 397 pounds. (Travelers on the Graf Zeppelin had complained that a piano was the only embellishment their after-supper parties lacked). It appears the piano was only carried during the first season in 1936.

The Bluthner Piano Web Site has this to say:

"In 1936 Bluthner scored tremendous public interest when the famous airship Hindenburg crossed the Atlantic for the first time with a Bluthner grand on board. For reasons of weight this instrument was made of aluminum, the outside covered with parchment and it served for the first broadcast of a piano recital from the air."

If you know of a recording made using this piano, please let me know. Thank you.