Toku
Music of the Day: Beck – Symphony in g minor op.3-3
Today’s music is Symphony in g minor, op. 3-3, by Franz Ignaz Beck (1734 – 1809).
Beck was a disciple of Johann Stamitz. He was considered to be a talented person of the next generation of the Mannheim School, but after injuring his opponent in a duel, he left Germany and went to Italy and France. He lived a tumultuous life, including being involved in the French Revolution.
In comparison to the mild‐mannered Mannheim School’s works, dominance of strong emotions looking like a “Sturm und Drang” in his works seems to reflect the very trajectory of his life.
Franz Ignaz Beck (1734 – 1809) – Symphony in g minor op.3 no.3
Michael Schneider & La Stagione Frankfurt
Music of the Day: Congo (Kanyok) – Song and Ensemble
Today’s music is song and ensemble by the Kanyok people of the Congo, probably recorded in the 1950s.
The sound is characterized by a sense of color that shines brightly like the Congolese sun and a pleasant percussion that sways gently as it bounces. The energy of the music is pretty strong, but it is worth noting that the music is sublimated into exhilarating rhythms rather than intense emotions.
The recording was by Hugh Tracy, who lived in South Africa and continued to record traditional music of the southern half of Africa. His works are not only valuable recordings of African traditional folk music, but there is nothing in his local recordings that is not musically interesting.
Music of the Day: Gabon – Bwiti Rite (Excerpt)
Today’s music is from a ritual scene called “Bwiti” performed by hunter-gatherers (such as Mitsogo people) in the Gabon forest area.The plucked string instrument is called “Ngombi” “Wambi” etc., bow-shaped Harp-lute.
This performance has a tremendous burst of power. And even with our ears, which are familiar with Western music, it will be accepted without any sense of discomfort.
We are not sure what a ritual in this video is specifically about, but apparently “Bwiti” has an adult rite of passage to become a member of a ritual society, a funeral rite to mourn the deceased, and a therapeutic rite to treat the sick or solve a problem. Moreover, “Bwiti” is not limited to the secret rituals in the forest area, but also shares its value as a cultural resource of Gabonese society, appearing in ceremonies in major cities.
Music of the Day: John Ireland – “The Island Spell”
Today’s piece is “Decorations,” the first of three piano pieces by John Iarland (1879-1962).
This beautiful and picturesque piece seems to delicately depict the green of a lake or forest and the breeze. It’s a nice change of pace.
Daniel Adni (pf)