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Monday, October 6, 2008
Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Fugue music
The Asian Age, op-Ed, October 07, 2008
The art, science and beauty of Bach’s music
Jayati Ghosh
A fugue is a composition of western classical music that is based on several parts, or voices, singing simultaneously. The opening subject is introduced by one voice, and then taken up by others until each voice has expressed the theme. The music can then take any direction, with periodic entries of the theme or other strands depending on the composer’s choice. But the extraordinary thing about a successful fugue is that, even as individual voices proceed on their own often quite complex ways, the whole combination is continuously harmonised and internally consistent.
The word fugue comes from "fuga" (or "flight") possibly expressing the idea of one voice pursued by, or fleeing from, another. It could also express the greater freedom of form which is accorded to the fugue, compared to the canon (which means "rule") a much more strict version in which repetition of the theme by different voices is all that is permitted.
The great master of the fugue was of course Johann Sebastian Bach. In the two-and-a-half centuries since his death, it has proved impossible for anyone to even come close to his fugal output, which certainly marks the pinnacle of human creation in this area. It is impossible to describe the sheer perfection and completeness of his fugues in words, while a simple recounting of their numbers would leave anyone utterly exhausted.
read the full article
read the full article
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
There is no human touch, technology rules music: Jagjit Singh
New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) Legendary singer Jagjit Singh, who is known to have brought 'Ghazals' to the music collection of the common man is a bit uncomfortable with the tag and would rather like to be be known as one capable of singing all genres and styles. "Why do you call me a ghazal singer? I have done playback for Hindi and Pujabi films and also have sung Gurbani and bhajans.
So why restrict me to just ghazals. I am a trained singer," Singh replied to a question during a press conference here recently.
He believes that technology has taken over the music industry more than needed. Read more
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Michael Jackson: 'I Feel Very Young' at 50
(Kiyoshi Ota /Reuters)
Michael Jackson: 'I Feel Very Young' at 50
Speaks Exclusively to 'GMA' About His Past, His Future, His Dreams for His Children
By CHRIS CONNOLLY and MICHAEL S. JAMES
Aug. 28, 2008
He first became a star as a young boy, then endured superstardom, scandals and a legal prosecution, but as he turns 50, Michael Jackson told "Good Morning America" in an exclusive interview, he is "having a wonderful time."
Speaking by phone from his home in California, at times so softly he was barely audible, Jackson said he was listening to a little James Brown and preparing for his 50th birthday Friday, when he will have a little cake and watch cartoons with his children, and then get back to work.
Reflecting back, Jackson said the happiest time in his life was probably when he was recording his hit solo albums "Thriller" and "Off the Wall" –- which propelled him to the height of his stardom.
Asked to pick a single song as his greatest achievement, Jackson went back to the same period.
"Oh boy, that's a hard one," he said, before singling out "We Are the World," and "Billie Jean," adding that there were "so many others."
Read the full story
Monday, August 25, 2008
Music and Politics:Madonna, McCain and Hitler
The Associated Press
Even at 50, the queen of pop just can't stop courting controversy.
The singer's latest stage show pairs images of Sen. McCain and Adolf Hitler.
As Madonna kicked off her international "Sticky and Sweet" tour Saturday night, she took a none-too subtle swipe at the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president.
Amid a four-act show at Cardiff's packed Millennium Stadium, a video interlude carried images of destruction, global warming, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, Zimbabwe's authoritarian President Robert Mugabe — and U.S. Senator John McCain. Another sequence, shown later, pictured slain Beatle John Lennon, followed by climate activist Al Gore, Mahatma Gandhi and finally McCain's Democratic rival Barack
More
Even at 50, the queen of pop just can't stop courting controversy.
The singer's latest stage show pairs images of Sen. McCain and Adolf Hitler.
As Madonna kicked off her international "Sticky and Sweet" tour Saturday night, she took a none-too subtle swipe at the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president.
Amid a four-act show at Cardiff's packed Millennium Stadium, a video interlude carried images of destruction, global warming, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, Zimbabwe's authoritarian President Robert Mugabe — and U.S. Senator John McCain. Another sequence, shown later, pictured slain Beatle John Lennon, followed by climate activist Al Gore, Mahatma Gandhi and finally McCain's Democratic rival Barack
More
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Barenaked Ladies singer to fight US cocaine charge - Yahoo! India News
Barenaked Ladies singer to fight US cocaine charge - Yahoo! India News
Barenaked Ladies singer to fight US cocaine charge
Steven Page of the Canadian rock band the Bare Naked Ladies performs at E.P.C.O.T. Center... Enlarge Photo Steven Page of the Canadian rock band the Bare Naked Ladies performs at E.P.C.O.T. Center...
Thu, Jul 17 08:33 PM
OTTAWA (Reuters) - The lead singer of the popular Canadian band the Barenaked Ladies will fight a recent cocaine charge in the United States, the band said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
Steven Page was arrested last Friday in an apartment in Fayetteville, New York, and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Court documents show Page allegedly told police "Yeah, it's cocaine", when asked about a white powdery substance in his possession.
Page, 38, posted $10,000 bail and is due back in court late next month.
"Many of you have probably read or heard press accounts about Steven Page's recent arrest in New York state. Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested," the band statement said.
The five-man group is best known for hit songs such as "One Week", "Pinch Me", and "If I Had a Million Dollars". It has just released an album of songs for youngsters and next month is due to play at a Long Island, New York, children's charity concert organized by Walt Disney Co.
"While this is happening, it's business as usual for Barenaked Ladies. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album. We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time," the statement said.
Barenaked Ladies singer to fight US cocaine charge
Steven Page of the Canadian rock band the Bare Naked Ladies performs at E.P.C.O.T. Center... Enlarge Photo Steven Page of the Canadian rock band the Bare Naked Ladies performs at E.P.C.O.T. Center...
Thu, Jul 17 08:33 PM
OTTAWA (Reuters) - The lead singer of the popular Canadian band the Barenaked Ladies will fight a recent cocaine charge in the United States, the band said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
Steven Page was arrested last Friday in an apartment in Fayetteville, New York, and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Court documents show Page allegedly told police "Yeah, it's cocaine", when asked about a white powdery substance in his possession.
Page, 38, posted $10,000 bail and is due back in court late next month.
"Many of you have probably read or heard press accounts about Steven Page's recent arrest in New York state. Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested," the band statement said.
The five-man group is best known for hit songs such as "One Week", "Pinch Me", and "If I Had a Million Dollars". It has just released an album of songs for youngsters and next month is due to play at a Long Island, New York, children's charity concert organized by Walt Disney Co.
"While this is happening, it's business as usual for Barenaked Ladies. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album. We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time," the statement said.
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