BY PERIODS
* Middle Ages to Renaissance (5th-17th centuries)
* Baroque Era (1600-1750)
* Classical Period (circa 1750-1830)
* Romantic Era (circa 1815-1910)
* Nationalist Movement (mid-19th century)
* The Later Romantics (second half of 19th century)
* The Early 20th Century
* Since World War II
BY COMPOSERS
- in alphabetical sequence, other than Mozart:
* A to M O to P R to W Mozart
OTHERS - by genres:
* Ballet
* Military
* Movies
* Chinese
* Jazz
* beginning
Some lectures:
* Listening to Music - an Open Yale Course
* How to Listen to Classical Music: Symphony 101
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Chekhov's Plays Appreciation Series
Anton Chekhov / 契訶夫
(Russian physician & dramaturge, 1860–1904)
Three Sisters (1901)
* Literature Book Review
* movie
* Mainstage Debuts
Uncle Vanya (1897)
* In English, without subtitles ...
The Seagull (1896)
* With English subtitles .....
(Russian physician & dramaturge, 1860–1904)
Three Sisters (1901)
* Literature Book Review
* movie
* Mainstage Debuts
Uncle Vanya (1897)
* In English, without subtitles ...
The Seagull (1896)
* With English subtitles .....
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Ballet Appreciation - Giselle
Giselle
- a romantic ballet in two acts of one hour each.
Trust that you do not need any pre-reading or briefing, to appreciate this ballet.
- a romantic ballet in two acts of one hour each.
Trust that you do not need any pre-reading or briefing, to appreciate this ballet.
吉賽爾
“在第一場中,天真純樸的村婦吉賽爾(Giselle)愛上了一個她只知道名字叫萊斯(Loys)的男子。但事實上這名男子其實是個貴族,名叫阿爾博特(Albrecht),為了逃避訂婚妻子才喬裝成農民來到這村落的。及後吉賽爾發現了真相,她心碎得失去了常理,不久便死去。有人說她是由於心碎而死的,也有人認為她是瘋狂之下自殺而死的。
“到了第二場,森林中的很多棄婦的亡靈施法逼使來到森林的年輕男子跳舞,至死方休。一日阿爾博特來到吉賽爾的墓前,女鬼們欲對阿爾博特施以毒手之際,原來吉賽爾對阿爾博特的愛沒有因為她自身的死亡而消失,她的靈魂更一再跟女鬼糾纏,從而救回阿爾博特。到了日出時份,吉賽爾在快要跟女鬼們散去之前,向阿爾博特表白自己已原諒他的變節,二人締結愛盟。可惜二人已陰陽永隔,而吉賽爾亦成為了一個精靈。”
Source: Wiki
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#8) - Kenneth MacMillan
Kenneth MacMillan
(1) Mayerling
Based on the Mayerling Incident (Jan 1889) where 30-year-old Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary (married to Princess Stéphanie of Belgium) shot his 17-year-old beautiful lover Baroness Mary Vetsera, and then himself, in the hunting lodge at Mayerling, 30 miles away from Vienna.
Trailer
(1) Mayerling
Based on the Mayerling Incident (Jan 1889) where 30-year-old Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary (married to Princess Stéphanie of Belgium) shot his 17-year-old beautiful lover Baroness Mary Vetsera, and then himself, in the hunting lodge at Mayerling, 30 miles away from Vienna.
Trailer
WARNING: It contains adult and adultery contents:
Episode:
Rudolf was buried in imperial garment, and among his Habsburg ancestors, who had ruled Austria for 600 years. His lover was buried, unnoticed and eventually, in a primitive coffin in an unknown nunnery.
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#7) - Sylvia
Sylvia ballet uses music by Léo Delibes:
- A shepherd boy is in love with Sylvia (a chaste huntress nymph)
- An evil hunter stalks Sylvia and kidnaps her
- The god of love rescues Silvia for the shepherd
- Diana (goddess of the hunt and chastity) is angry of the love matter because it reminds her of her young love (another shepherd).
- A shepherd boy is in love with Sylvia (a chaste huntress nymph)
- An evil hunter stalks Sylvia and kidnaps her
- The god of love rescues Silvia for the shepherd
- Diana (goddess of the hunt and chastity) is angry of the love matter because it reminds her of her young love (another shepherd).
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#6) - Roland Petit
Roland Petit (1924-2011)
Coach introduced 3 ballets choreographed by Roland Petit.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Carmen (1949) ballet is based Bizet's superb opera of the same name.
Its music is also from the opera. 50 minutes long, not a full-length ballet.
It is a love tragedy between wild Gypsy factory worker Carmen and naïve soldier Don José, in Seville of Spain.
* Part 1
Falling for Carmen, José let her loose from jail, deserted the army, and committed smuggling...
* Part 2
Then, Carmen found a bull-fighter a more exciting lover...
* Part 3
I'd like Bizet's opera version more, though.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Roland Petit choreographed the Chaplin Dances (1991), based on his impressions of Charlie Chaplin in a number of silent movies.
Later, Fuji TV made a 1-hour stage recording called Charlot ("Little Charles"), starring Tamiyo Kusakari and 60-year-old Luigi Bonino.
* Luigi Bonino
* Tamiyo Kusakari - Her husband is the film director, meeting Petit and Chaplin's son in Japan.
* Charlie Chaplin himself
* BGT
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Pique Dame / The Queen of Spades (2001) ballet, choreographed by Roland Petit, was introduced next.
Only half-an-hour long, it adopted Tchaikovsky's opera of the same name, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.
It was about a desperate young man, who would try anything to acquire the superb gambling skills from an aged gambling queen. I'm not impressed.
= = = = =
Petit has many other better choreography masterpieces, such as
* Bizet's L'Arlesienne (1974).
* Ravel's Bolero
Coach introduced 3 ballets choreographed by Roland Petit.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Carmen (1949) ballet is based Bizet's superb opera of the same name.
Its music is also from the opera. 50 minutes long, not a full-length ballet.
It is a love tragedy between wild Gypsy factory worker Carmen and naïve soldier Don José, in Seville of Spain.
* Part 1
Falling for Carmen, José let her loose from jail, deserted the army, and committed smuggling...
* Part 2
Then, Carmen found a bull-fighter a more exciting lover...
* Part 3
I'd like Bizet's opera version more, though.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) |
Later, Fuji TV made a 1-hour stage recording called Charlot ("Little Charles"), starring Tamiyo Kusakari and 60-year-old Luigi Bonino.
* Luigi Bonino
* Tamiyo Kusakari - Her husband is the film director, meeting Petit and Chaplin's son in Japan.
* Charlie Chaplin himself
* BGT
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Pique Dame / The Queen of Spades (2001) ballet, choreographed by Roland Petit, was introduced next.
Only half-an-hour long, it adopted Tchaikovsky's opera of the same name, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.
It was about a desperate young man, who would try anything to acquire the superb gambling skills from an aged gambling queen. I'm not impressed.
= = = = =
Petit has many other better choreography masterpieces, such as
* Bizet's L'Arlesienne (1974).
* Ravel's Bolero
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#5) - Camille
Coach introduced two ballets based on Camille (or Lady of the Camellias), an 1852 novel and play by Alexandre Dumas, fils.
It was a well-known love story between spoony Armand (a young bourgeois) and glamorous Marguerite (a TB-ridden socialite kept by various lovers).
Both suites are heavy with body languages and facial expressions, accompanied by simple piano music, just like mime
Frederick Ashton (1906-88, British) choreographed the one-scene "Marguerite & Armand" (1963) ballet, which is accompanied by Liszt's piano music and lasts only 30 minutes -- a bit short.
What's after the first 4.5 minutes is ritual.
John Neumeier (1939-, American) choreographed the three-scene "Lady of the Camellias" (1978) suite, which is accompanied by Chopin's piano music and lasts 2 hours. As spoony as Armand, I was head over heels for Marguerite enacted by Sue Jin KANG.
Two hours is long for those who urgently want to see what happens next to the romance, but right for those who enjoy ballet techniques show-off.
Neumeier was especially innovative by incorporating a few scenes of "Manon Lescaut", as play within play, in this suite.
It was a well-known love story between spoony Armand (a young bourgeois) and glamorous Marguerite (a TB-ridden socialite kept by various lovers).
Both suites are heavy with body languages and facial expressions, accompanied by simple piano music, just like mime
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
What's after the first 4.5 minutes is ritual.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
John Neumeier (1939-, American) choreographed the three-scene "Lady of the Camellias" (1978) suite, which is accompanied by Chopin's piano music and lasts 2 hours. As spoony as Armand, I was head over heels for Marguerite enacted by Sue Jin KANG.
Two hours is long for those who urgently want to see what happens next to the romance, but right for those who enjoy ballet techniques show-off.
Neumeier was especially innovative by incorporating a few scenes of "Manon Lescaut", as play within play, in this suite.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#4) - Checkmate / Les Noces / Isadora Duncan
In the evening's triple bill, three female choreographers were introduced.
Ninette de Valois (1898-2011, Irish) choreographed this Checkmate (1937) ballet, in which all dancers are dressed as red or black chess-pieces. The idea and music were by Arthur Bliss (1891-1975).
At the end, red loses and the red king is killed by having his waist-bone bent to break by staffs, according to medieval practice.
If you insist on a full version:
Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972, Soviet Russian) choreographed Stravinsky's Les Noces (The Wedding) music, to become a ballet with vocalists (dance cantata).
Soviet collectivism is apparent, because all dancers dressed in similar ethnic clothes, and did line dance (para para); the marrying couple on the contrary has low-profile roles in the background.
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927, American) was a pioneer in modern dancing, which emphasizes on self-expression, and does not intend to entertain.
* She danced bare-footed, showing big toes on big feet.
* She wore loose garment, not staying in ballerina shape.
* She ran forth and back on stage, telling no stories.
* Her best audience is ballerinas who have suffered from years of harsh training and practice.
Based on his impressions of her dancing, Frederick Aston (1904-1988, British) choreographed "Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan" (1975):
Please note that waltz here only means triple metre, and not Vienna waltz or that kind.
= = = = =
Ninette de Valois (1898-2011, Irish) choreographed this Checkmate (1937) ballet, in which all dancers are dressed as red or black chess-pieces. The idea and music were by Arthur Bliss (1891-1975).
At the end, red loses and the red king is killed by having his waist-bone bent to break by staffs, according to medieval practice.
The red horse is killed for being soft-hearted.
If you insist on a full version:
Not a romantic classical at all.
= = = = =
Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972, Soviet Russian) choreographed Stravinsky's Les Noces (The Wedding) music, to become a ballet with vocalists (dance cantata).
Soviet collectivism is apparent, because all dancers dressed in similar ethnic clothes, and did line dance (para para); the marrying couple on the contrary has low-profile roles in the background.
Not the romantic and glamorous kind of ballet
= = = = =
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927, American) was a pioneer in modern dancing, which emphasizes on self-expression, and does not intend to entertain.
* She danced bare-footed, showing big toes on big feet.
* She wore loose garment, not staying in ballerina shape.
* She ran forth and back on stage, telling no stories.
* Her best audience is ballerinas who have suffered from years of harsh training and practice.
Based on his impressions of her dancing, Frederick Aston (1904-1988, British) choreographed "Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan" (1975):
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#3) - Onegin
Onegin (1965) ballet
- choreographed by maestro John Cranko (1927-73)
- based on Pushkin's Russian poem story of the same name
- adopting Tchaikovsky's various music pieces (other than his Onegin opera)
Audience needs not do homework before watching it, because the story is clearly told by means of dancing, body languages, and music -- just like a mime. Audience easily feels the poetic vision of love, depression and sadness, insanity and struggles of love.
As we watch only segments, here's an outline:
1. Tatiana's sister and the latter's fiance dance
2. Tatiana meets and falls for sophisticated Onegin [0:17]
3. Onegin rejects plain-looking Tatiana and tears up her love letter [0:36]
4. Onegin flirts with her sister [0:57] and then kills the fiance in a duel [1:08]; Onegin has to disappear for years
clip #1
Missing from the above video is:
2A. In her sweet dream, Onegin loves her.
5. Tatiana got married to a prince who loves her [2:18]
6. Onegin returns and falls for Titiana, now a noble beauty [7:50]
7. Titiana rekindles her old flame and enjoys being courted by Onegin [10:50]
8. ... for a while
clip #2
Highly recommend that you watch a full version, any version. 譚元元or曹舒慈of China also excel. Alert: you may need some tissues for your eyes.
Cranko founded the Stuttgart Ballet company in the German city, famous for making Mercedes and BMW. In 1973, on a flight across the Atlantic to Germany, he died young from over-sensitivity to a sleeping pill. Pity.
……
- choreographed by maestro John Cranko (1927-73)
- based on Pushkin's Russian poem story of the same name
- adopting Tchaikovsky's various music pieces (other than his Onegin opera)
Audience needs not do homework before watching it, because the story is clearly told by means of dancing, body languages, and music -- just like a mime. Audience easily feels the poetic vision of love, depression and sadness, insanity and struggles of love.
As we watch only segments, here's an outline:
1. Tatiana's sister and the latter's fiance dance
2. Tatiana meets and falls for sophisticated Onegin [0:17]
3. Onegin rejects plain-looking Tatiana and tears up her love letter [0:36]
4. Onegin flirts with her sister [0:57] and then kills the fiance in a duel [1:08]; Onegin has to disappear for years
clip #1
Missing from the above video is:
2A. In her sweet dream, Onegin loves her.
5. Tatiana got married to a prince who loves her [2:18]
6. Onegin returns and falls for Titiana, now a noble beauty [7:50]
7. Titiana rekindles her old flame and enjoys being courted by Onegin [10:50]
8. ... for a while
clip #2
Highly recommend that you watch a full version, any version. 譚元元or曹舒慈of China also excel. Alert: you may need some tissues for your eyes.
Cranko founded the Stuttgart Ballet company in the German city, famous for making Mercedes and BMW. In 1973, on a flight across the Atlantic to Germany, he died young from over-sensitivity to a sleeping pill. Pity.
Comments by dancers
譚元元:
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#2) - Jewels
Jewels (1967) is a three act ballet, created for the New York City Ballet by co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983).
It
- is abstract ballet, or non-narrative (just dancing - with no stories to tell)
- has 3 movements: Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds.
Balanchine skilfully mixed old components to produce something new.
- is abstract ballet, or non-narrative (just dancing - with no stories to tell)
- has 3 movements: Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds.
Balanchine skilfully mixed old components to produce something new.
Movement 1 - "Emeralds
Dressed in GREEN, the dancers demonstrated 19th Century Romanticism and elegant French school, to Fauré's music from his "Pelléas et Mélisande" (1898) suite, and "Shylock" (1889) (Fr version of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.)
Movement 2 - "Rubies"
Dressed in RED, the dancers exhibited lively and witty modern ballet, to Stravinsky's Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra (1929).
Movement 3 - "Diamonds"
Dressed in WHITE, the dancers exhibited glamour and dignitary grace of the Russian palace, to Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 3 (1875).
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#1) - Cinderella
Ballet Appreciation Series (2014)
... every Thursday evening, in the past 3 months, by Margaret Lau
The first evening class was on "Cinderella"
- music by Prokofiev (1891-1953)
- different choreographies by 3 British masters, each with innovative ideas...
The first master choreographer is Federick Aston (1904-1988).
Cinderella dancing with the prince at the ball. Cindy's "ugly step-sisters" were enacted by two cross-dressed men, including Ashton himself.
The second master choreographer introduced is David Bintley (1957-), who took a more realistic approach.
Her step-sisters are only underweight or overweight, but both clumsy at dancing.
The third master choreographer introduced is Christopher Wheeldon (1973-). The prince and his commoner friend exchanged clothes before delivering party invitations to households with eligible girls.
Cinderella's step-sisters are not ugly at all, but snobbishly escort away the faked prince without leaving an invitation to Cindy. Cindy says good-bye to the prince, in plain clothe, who tries to cheer her up.
... every Thursday evening, in the past 3 months, by Margaret Lau
The first evening class was on "Cinderella"
- music by Prokofiev (1891-1953)
- different choreographies by 3 British masters, each with innovative ideas...
The first master choreographer is Federick Aston (1904-1988).
Here, Cinderella in the kitchen, where the huge portrait of her deceased mother is allowed. |
The second master choreographer introduced is David Bintley (1957-), who took a more realistic approach.
Her mother's portrait is small.
Her step-sisters are only underweight or overweight, but both clumsy at dancing.
The clock (metronome) clicks count-downs towards mid-night. |
The third master choreographer introduced is Christopher Wheeldon (1973-). The prince and his commoner friend exchanged clothes before delivering party invitations to households with eligible girls.
... then the clock clicks towards mid-night ....
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Painting - Xu Beihong / 徐悲鸿
Xu Beihong / 徐悲鸿
... born 119 years ago.(L) Xu Beihong Museum at Beijing
(R) 立马图
= = = = =
EXTRA
中國十大名畫
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Painting #100 - Summary
An engraving of a painting by Heinrich Merté (1838-1917)
“The Capitol is Rescued by the Holy Geese of Juno” 390 B.C.E. July - woodcut (31 x 42 cm) 1882 - Sammlung Archiv für Kunst und Geschichte (Berlin) |
Gauls from northern Italy attempted to attack the Capitol of Rome by night and by surprise. But the flock of sacred geese made such a noise with their wings and had warned the defending soldiers.
Painting #099 - M.C. Escher
M.C. Escher
(1898–1972, Dutch)
(1898–1972, Dutch)
- Escher in 1948
- lithograph (28 × 33 cm)
|
- Escher in 1935
- lithograph (32 × 21 cm)
|
- Escher in 1961
- lithograph (38 × 30 cm)
|
- Escher in 1944
- lithograph (34 x 47 cm)
|
- Escher in 1938
- woodcut (44 x 44 cm)
Source: Wikipedia
Painting #098 - Pop Arts
Andy Warhol
(1928–1987, American pop artist)
- Andy Warhol
- Acrylic on canvas (silkscreen painting) (205 × 290 cm) 1962
- Tate (London)
|
(L) Marilyn Diptych (R) Andy Warhol
Richard Hamilton
(1922–2011, English pop artist)
- Richard Hamilton
- Collage (26 × 25 cm) 1956
- Kunsthalle Tübingen (Germany)
|
Source: Wikipedia
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