My usual solution to the previous dilemma has been implemented: burying myself with work. I'm now working five days a week, driving the trams and teaching violin. I have only small smidgens of a life, and those who I'm now spending time with are pretty much the ones that matter to me. Offhand, I've only spent time with Neale and Kelly (before she up and ran back home) on any kind of a regular basis. Speaking of which, I should call up Neale...
I've successfully tackled the first two volumes of Bartok's '44 Duos for Two Violins'. When I say I, I really should be using the plural, seeing as how they're duets. Still, it's a work I've been dying to sink my fingers into for a long time, and let's just say that it was well worth the wait. To briefly describe it: The piece is actually 44 short duets, divided up into four volumes. Each piece is derived from a different folk tune, Bartok having toured throughout Europe, searching out Roma, Russians and Rumanians alike and cataloguing their songs. And while it is undeniable that Eastern European folk music is amazing, it is equally undeniable that almost all of Bartok's music PANTSES the competition, be it other music or a notable cabinet minister. (Forgive me, I have the image of an atonal manuscript sitting in the middle of a classroom dipping the pigtails of the Ravel sonata sitting in front into an inkwell, and it really amuses me) In any case, when you combine E. European folk music with the sheer BADASSNESS of Bartok... well, I'm amazed that mankind hasn't yet destroyed itself because of this music; we're simply not worthy. NOT WORTHY.
I've temporarily become a workaholic, and Bartok delivers.
I've successfully tackled the first two volumes of Bartok's '44 Duos for Two Violins'. When I say I, I really should be using the plural, seeing as how they're duets. Still, it's a work I've been dying to sink my fingers into for a long time, and let's just say that it was well worth the wait. To briefly describe it: The piece is actually 44 short duets, divided up into four volumes. Each piece is derived from a different folk tune, Bartok having toured throughout Europe, searching out Roma, Russians and Rumanians alike and cataloguing their songs. And while it is undeniable that Eastern European folk music is amazing, it is equally undeniable that almost all of Bartok's music PANTSES the competition, be it other music or a notable cabinet minister. (Forgive me, I have the image of an atonal manuscript sitting in the middle of a classroom dipping the pigtails of the Ravel sonata sitting in front into an inkwell, and it really amuses me) In any case, when you combine E. European folk music with the sheer BADASSNESS of Bartok... well, I'm amazed that mankind hasn't yet destroyed itself because of this music; we're simply not worthy. NOT WORTHY.
I've temporarily become a workaholic, and Bartok delivers.
posted by Kahloke | 12:45 AM
2 Comments:
Have you heard Borodin's Quartet #2 in D or his Prince Igor? Both use a pretty interesting mix of Russian folk songs. With Beethoven thrown in :P (to the quartet).
Actually, I think all of 'The Mighty Five'had a folk theme going on. If you're bored you might want to research their history, it's a fascinating read.
Come and visit Brianna and Me!! I'll even let you sleep on the couch!
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