E is for? We have cherished our time in Denmark and have chosen to journey south in April, as it appears to be an ideal month there, a country that starts with the letter E!
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After soaring through a 10-plus hour flight, it's clear that we've ventured far beyond our last destination in China. The melodic sounds we hear resemble a folk song, evoking simplicity, purity, and haunting beauty. Where could we be? Updated 4/9 D is for Danish!
Piece Title: Folktone (Five Piano Pieces Op. 3, no. 1) 1890-1891 Composer: Carl Nielsen 1865 –1931 Photo Location: The Modern Seaweed House on the Danish island of Læsø by architecture studio Vandkunsten Denmark, situated at a strategically significant location, plays a role as a cultural bridge between the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe. Influenced by its historical trading alliance with Britain and Scotland, its folk music possesses a distinctiveness that sets it apart from other Scandinavian traditions. Many of its folk songs are ancient ballads passed down from the Middle Ages, narrating captivating events or supernatural stories with mythical characters, adding a unique allure. This hauntingly beautiful "Folktone" by Carl Nielsen reminds us of otherworldly stories from afar. It may be a recollection of the traditional Danish folk songs often sung to him during his childhood by his mother. The piece exudes remarkable simplicity and clarity, with hints of his later development of "progressive tonality," making it an unforgettable song for piano with almost a capella-like qualities. When we think of Carl Nielsen, Denmark’s most prominent and representative composer, we often think of his symphonies. However, his vast output of songs and masterful choral music is also dearly cherished by the Danish people. Even this earliest set of five piano miniature pieces is surely a hidden gem! They are beautiful, whimsical, and pleasantly unique, deserving attention and admiration. Upon arrival at our third destination, we were greeted by a lovely folksong. But where are we? Updated 3/28 C is for Chinese! Piece Title: Folksong "Embroidered Pouch"
Arranger for piano: Ma, Shui-Long Lyrics: "From the first to the fifteenth day [of the lunar new year], the fifteenth day is when the moon is high, the spring breeze gently sways, causing the willow branches to flutter. The third month [March] is when the peach blossoms bloom. my love sends a letter asking for an embroidered pouch. He is a young gentleman, and she is like a budding flower. After you receive this embroidered pouch my darling, please make sure to come back early!" Chinese embroidery has a rich history dating back to the New Stone Age and reached its peak production in the 14th century. The exact origins of this charming love song are unknown. Still, it was widespread among embroidery sites in central and northern China before the 14th century, resulting in several versions in different regions. In the song, a girl expresses her love and sadness at separating from her loved one as she embroiders a pouch for him. The song's special feature is that its lyrics were developed using numerical order, and the phrases are interconnected and rhythmed. These interlinkages are often used to enhance the song's charm. The song is mostly in the pentatonic scale Zhi tone (like GACDE) and partly in the Gong tone (like CDEGA). We've arrived at the 2nd stop! Where are we? (Hint: Name a country starting with B, and the composer of this music whose name starts with B too!)
Updated 3/9
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Sources
A https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirrie_Hill https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301584821_The_Circle_of_Songs_Traditional_Song_and_the_Musical_Score_to_CPMountford's_Documentary_Films B https://www.ludmilkrumov.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Bulgarian-Odd-Rhythms1.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9la_Bart%C3%B3k https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Bulgaria https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213256id_/https://eprints.utas.edu.au/35335/1/Yildiz_whole_thesis.pdf C https://francispress.com/uploads/papers/KIksn1Mv5yqNU9nc4YMST9uStPYpcmISwWcGgM0H.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_embroidery D https://folkcloud.com/folk-music-by-country/denmark https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/danish-culture-and-social-beliefs.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Nielsen Archives
April 2024
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