mercoledì 7 gennaio 2009
a dream
was keeping me busy during this day. i think i will have to add something more to my future possible projects, as this could be one of the few dreamy things which i could tackle directly in real life: it is departing, following an ancient path, leaving behind all usual life surroundings. the possibilities are quite vast but still.. just the person which accompanied me in the dream does not know about their luck yet (and don't ask me who it was, i will not tell ;) but anyway, i wonder what it should mean to dream of a person.. if it is not just some qualities of them which make them enter your dreams, which could be found also in others, maybe even yourself? i don't know. it's not important right now anyway, as my idea still will have to wait for about more 2 years and god alone knows what will be then... :)
martedì 6 gennaio 2009
the aim of music
The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.
Mit aller Musik soll Gott geehrt und die Menschen erfreut werden. Wenn man Gott mit seiner Musik nicht ehrt, ist die Musik nur ein teuflischer Lärm und Krach
— J.S. Bach
domenica 4 gennaio 2009
4'33" or the absence of silence
today these music scores fell into my hands by mere chance. Of course I had heard about John Cage and his (in)famous piece before, but actually laying hands on the score and seeing how to write down 'nothing' really impressed me. It is nearly an offence to people to mock them in such way; but at the same time it is an act of a genius. In a handwritten introduction, one finds how to perform this piece:
It can be performed by any instrument or combinations of instruments, and there are different versions of subdividing it into the compulsory three movements. How this is done is up to the performer(s).
Then there is the piece - sketched down on one page three movements, all of them tacets... simply
nothing else...
Now my curiosity was definitely too much so I started searching more information on this piece. The most interesting ones I collected here for you:
first performance by david tudor
The reactions to this first performance were quite strong, from confused to furious. Somehow I can not even imagine how these people must have felt, being confronted with such performance, totally unexpectedly. At no time before this 'nothing', which actually reveiled the absence of total silence, had counted as music or had been performed as such in public. (Actually, the idea was not completely new. Other silences existed already at the time, however written down in another, more verbose way... )
By now, the piece has become very famous and is being performed with all kinds of groups of musicians for quite enthusiastic audiences. For me the most peculiar of those was the following:
performance by the bbc symphony orchestra
Isn't it incredible? To let this whole bunch of world class musicians sit and do nothing, apart from existing? As the presenter states, these performances incur a lot of tension.. I really believe this - actually I wonder if I could even sit out those 4 and a half minutes without bursting into laughter half way through!
But then, it surely must be a very fascinating experience.
If you are interested you might enjoy this short essay on the idea behind the piece, this article "the sounds of silence", and also the following one which raises the question who actually owns 'silence'?
last but not least, I wanted to share with you another one of John Cage's works - a sonata for prepared piano:
It can be performed by any instrument or combinations of instruments, and there are different versions of subdividing it into the compulsory three movements. How this is done is up to the performer(s).
Then there is the piece - sketched down on one page three movements, all of them tacets... simply
I
tacet
II
tacet
III
tacet
nothing else...
Now my curiosity was definitely too much so I started searching more information on this piece. The most interesting ones I collected here for you:
first performance by david tudor
The reactions to this first performance were quite strong, from confused to furious. Somehow I can not even imagine how these people must have felt, being confronted with such performance, totally unexpectedly. At no time before this 'nothing', which actually reveiled the absence of total silence, had counted as music or had been performed as such in public. (Actually, the idea was not completely new. Other silences existed already at the time, however written down in another, more verbose way... )
By now, the piece has become very famous and is being performed with all kinds of groups of musicians for quite enthusiastic audiences. For me the most peculiar of those was the following:
performance by the bbc symphony orchestra
Isn't it incredible? To let this whole bunch of world class musicians sit and do nothing, apart from existing? As the presenter states, these performances incur a lot of tension.. I really believe this - actually I wonder if I could even sit out those 4 and a half minutes without bursting into laughter half way through!
But then, it surely must be a very fascinating experience.
If you are interested you might enjoy this short essay on the idea behind the piece, this article "the sounds of silence", and also the following one which raises the question who actually owns 'silence'?
last but not least, I wanted to share with you another one of John Cage's works - a sonata for prepared piano:
venerdì 2 gennaio 2009
giovedì 1 gennaio 2009
Ein gutes neues Jahr!
An nou fericit! šťastný nový rok! naya saal Mubarak Ho! शुभं नववर्षम्! !سنة سعيدة Urime viti i Ri! Feliz Ano Novo! Felice Anno Nuovo! Mutlu Yıllar! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! BONNE ANNÉE! Sretna Nova godina! Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! Kiortame pivdluaritlo! Onnellista Uutta Vuotta! Boldog Ooy Ayvet! Sanah Jadidah! Laimīgo Jauno Gadu! laimingų naujųjų metų! Godt Nyttår! C Новым Годом! 圣诞快乐并贺新禧!есела Коледа и щастлива Нова година!Καλά Χριστούγεννα κι Ευτυχισμένος ο Καινούριος Χρόνος! חג מולד שמח ושנה טובה クリスマス、新年おめでとうございます schöni Wiehnachte und es guets Neus! เมอรี่คริสต์มาส และสวัสดีปีใหม่ a freydikn nitl un a gor freylekhn nay-yor!
mercoledì 31 dicembre 2008
To my friends
Thank you all for being in my life this year! It made it so much richer and colourful and brought a lot of happiness into it.
Thank you also for the difficult moments we had to overcome; I could learn a lot from them, which helped me to grow a bit more to whom I should be (even if the moments themselves were not the most pleasant ;).
And also in good times, I was astonished by your many talents, your friendlyness, your generosity, your frankness, your honesty - just to mention a few. I just hope I also can bring some joy into your lives.
To all of you I wish a peaceful, joyful, interesting, and blessed new year!
Hope to see you again soon in 2009!
:)
Thank you also for the difficult moments we had to overcome; I could learn a lot from them, which helped me to grow a bit more to whom I should be (even if the moments themselves were not the most pleasant ;).
And also in good times, I was astonished by your many talents, your friendlyness, your generosity, your frankness, your honesty - just to mention a few. I just hope I also can bring some joy into your lives.
To all of you I wish a peaceful, joyful, interesting, and blessed new year!
Hope to see you again soon in 2009!
:)
lunedì 29 dicembre 2008
revising beliefs
Recently I once again realised that I'm invariably getting older... - ok nothing new, and I admit I don't really mind (- yet?)
But there was one characteristic of a growing up person which keeps striking me as I observe it on some people around me:
They start becoming serious. Not in the 'no fun' way of mentality. But rather in a very fascinating way: they start to link their actions to their beliefs and convictions.
Maybe at first this seems trivial - they probably were doing this all the time one might think. But in fact this doesn't seem to be the case. Somehow very often people - especially when they are still young - have very strong (sometimes unreflected) opinions and expectations on many things and other people; without, however, living up to the standards they set. So when growing up, some of them start to revise these standards, to shape and correct their childhood beliefs, and to follow them themselves.
This process seriously intrigues me, as all of a sudden people take on the responsibility for their lifes and themselves; they are no longer just a passive product of what others imposed on them. Instead, they become active and face a challenging task, as if they were woken up from sleep, ready to change the world.
But there was one characteristic of a growing up person which keeps striking me as I observe it on some people around me:
They start becoming serious. Not in the 'no fun' way of mentality. But rather in a very fascinating way: they start to link their actions to their beliefs and convictions.
Maybe at first this seems trivial - they probably were doing this all the time one might think. But in fact this doesn't seem to be the case. Somehow very often people - especially when they are still young - have very strong (sometimes unreflected) opinions and expectations on many things and other people; without, however, living up to the standards they set. So when growing up, some of them start to revise these standards, to shape and correct their childhood beliefs, and to follow them themselves.
This process seriously intrigues me, as all of a sudden people take on the responsibility for their lifes and themselves; they are no longer just a passive product of what others imposed on them. Instead, they become active and face a challenging task, as if they were woken up from sleep, ready to change the world.
mercoledì 24 dicembre 2008
24th December
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
[Luke 2:1-14]
A joyful and blessed christmas to all of you! I wish you to be able to leave all the social stress behind and arrive in your heart at what you are actually celebrating: God becoming human, to save every single one of us.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
[Luke 2:1-14]
A joyful and blessed christmas to all of you! I wish you to be able to leave all the social stress behind and arrive in your heart at what you are actually celebrating: God becoming human, to save every single one of us.
martedì 23 dicembre 2008
23rd December
Prepare for tomorrow:
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Viskas miega, tik dar vis.
Motinėlė ten budi viena.
Kūdikis su meilia šypsena
Ilsisi, miega ramiai,
Ilsisi, miega ramiai.
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Pildos dieviška mintis:
Viešpats, tapęs mažu vaikeliu,
Žada sieloms malonių gausių
Savo šventu gimimu
Savo šventu gimimu
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Vyksta meilės paslaptis.
Angelų giesmė skamba nakčia,
nešdama piemenims žinią šią:
Jau Išganytojas čia!
Jau Išganytojas čia!
also possible:
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Visi dus. Nomodā
Vēl ir Jāzeps un Marija
Kūtī, Dāvida pilsētā.
Jēzus silītē dus,
Jēzus silītē dus.
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Ganiem Dievs novēl Pats
Dzirdēt eņģeļus slavējam,
Tuvu, tālu skandinām:
Kristus - Glābējs ir klāt!
Kristus - Glābējs ir klāt!
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Dieva Dēls, Tava acs
Mirdz mums dievišķā skaidrībā.
Nu ir dvēsele pestīta,
Jo Tu dzimis par mums!
Jo Tu dzimis par mums!
or if you are a conservative person, stick to the original:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar,
Holder Knabe mit lockigem Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem holdseligen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’,
Christ, in deiner Geburt,
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kund gemacht;
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von fern und nah’;
Christ der Retter ist da,
Christ der Retter ist da!
either way, oil your voices so you can fully join in tomorrow night! :)
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Viskas miega, tik dar vis.
Motinėlė ten budi viena.
Kūdikis su meilia šypsena
Ilsisi, miega ramiai,
Ilsisi, miega ramiai.
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Pildos dieviška mintis:
Viešpats, tapęs mažu vaikeliu,
Žada sieloms malonių gausių
Savo šventu gimimu
Savo šventu gimimu
Tyli naktis, šventa naktis!
Vyksta meilės paslaptis.
Angelų giesmė skamba nakčia,
nešdama piemenims žinią šią:
Jau Išganytojas čia!
Jau Išganytojas čia!
also possible:
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Visi dus. Nomodā
Vēl ir Jāzeps un Marija
Kūtī, Dāvida pilsētā.
Jēzus silītē dus,
Jēzus silītē dus.
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Ganiem Dievs novēl Pats
Dzirdēt eņģeļus slavējam,
Tuvu, tālu skandinām:
Kristus - Glābējs ir klāt!
Kristus - Glābējs ir klāt!
Klusa nakts, svēta nakts!
Dieva Dēls, Tava acs
Mirdz mums dievišķā skaidrībā.
Nu ir dvēsele pestīta,
Jo Tu dzimis par mums!
Jo Tu dzimis par mums!
or if you are a conservative person, stick to the original:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar,
Holder Knabe mit lockigem Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem holdseligen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’,
Christ, in deiner Geburt,
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kund gemacht;
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von fern und nah’;
Christ der Retter ist da,
Christ der Retter ist da!
either way, oil your voices so you can fully join in tomorrow night! :)
lunedì 22 dicembre 2008
22nd December
back.
it was a wonderful time at my former home - so many nice moments with people that have grown on me and that i missed :)
spending time with you was like a christmas gift: something wished for for a long time, somehow uncertain, and then a lovely surprise!
and i learned something: the most beautiful thing of performing music is to make people happy. of course it can be enjoyable to play for oneself, but it is nothing compared to looking into the shiny eyes of people whose hearts are joyful because you played for them, and the music opened up their heart to the beauty of the world.
it does not always happen, but when it does it's a miracle!
it was a wonderful time at my former home - so many nice moments with people that have grown on me and that i missed :)
spending time with you was like a christmas gift: something wished for for a long time, somehow uncertain, and then a lovely surprise!
and i learned something: the most beautiful thing of performing music is to make people happy. of course it can be enjoyable to play for oneself, but it is nothing compared to looking into the shiny eyes of people whose hearts are joyful because you played for them, and the music opened up their heart to the beauty of the world.
it does not always happen, but when it does it's a miracle!
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Free Rice
Play, improve your knowledge, and feed starving people.