Psalteria--the medieval ladies' band

i was playing a small computer game "styrateg", found the background music very very nice. so i checked the "credits" section of the game and browsed briefly online. so it's from a medieval ladies' band--Psalteria. the band's website is very comprehensive, in it i managed to download some sample music and lyrics for the songs. ppl who are interested, pls take a look at the site here: http://www.psalteria.cz/english/set-en.htm

here is the lyrics for the game song. altho i don't get the meaning...

Como poden

Como poden per sas culpas
os omes seer contreitos,
assi poden pela Virgen
depois seer saos feitos.

Ond' avo a un ome,
por pecados que fezera,
que foi tolleito dos nenbros
da door que ouvera,
e durou assi cinc' anos
que mover-se non podera,
assi avia os nenbros
todos do corpo maltreitos.

Como poden per sas culpas os omes seer contreitos...

Con esta enfermidade
atan grande que avia
prometeu que, se guarisse,
a Salas logo irya
e ha livra de cera
cad' ano ll' ofereria;
e atan toste foi sao,
que non ouv' y outros preitos.

Como poden per sas culpas os omes seer contreitos...

Daquest' a Santa Maria
deron graças e loores,
porque livra os doentes
de maes e de doores
e demais está rogando
senpre por nos pecadores;
e poren devemos todos
sempre seer seus sogeitos.

Como poden per sas culpas os omes seer contreitos...


another medieval band: http://www.krless.cz/cz/vstupte.htm
this website is purely unrecognisable due to its usage of a non-english language, but i still managed to download its sample music in its CD section. the song style is parallel to that of Psalteria's. very nice, with a dense medieval air.

Cross-posting again.

mozart's piano quartet in G is quite nice. especially the first movement. i've never been particularly affected by mozart's music, for the same reason why i thought bach was boring. both are geniuses, but there are simply "too many notes" (from movie amadeus). both feel like a kind of show-off, and neither one stirs my emotions very much. such music i would categorise into the group which cannot be appreciated until you take the score and read and enjoy all the craftiness in the structure, and is a delight to perform. but after all is music a craft or an art? the function of art... what's the form for if that art cannot stir?

but the quartet in G is actually quite angry in the first movement, (and therefore sounds like beethoven a little bit). mozart's music is too pretty, except for some of his later works. i somehow feel that this clever man wasn't alive long enough to live life proper. his life ended shortly after the hedonistic youth, which he spent crafting pretty pieces, before he could experience any of the major emotions that he potentially could have exprience had he grown to be 40, 50 or 60. minimal bitterness in his composition. no frustration. not much anguish. nothing too profound. if he'd been through what beethoven did, i'm sure he could have written something brilliant. and it's indeed a pity. nevertheless, he's a genius, and above all, an interesting person, in the world of two categories of people. ah, and all interesting people are hated, all the time.

bach, was simply too successful and rich.

Cross-posting

dawn upshaw singing yanov-yanovsky's lacrymosa is just right. just right. so hauntingly beautiful. my hair kept standing. i would really like to see the score, cos i'm sure there's special instruction for the way the voice slides. upshaw slides on purpose for most of her performances and gets away with it with her celebrity license (and i do like the way she slides.) this piece, however, is slightly different in that she has virtually no steps between any two notes. all is sliding. (ok, maybe except for 2 places.) it's creepy.

fyi, the classical italian bel canto does not allow sliding of voice from note to note, although the central feature of bel canto singing is legato, meaning joining the notes. in fact, legato singing without much sliding is a very difficult technique. i see this a very unnatural phenomenon as most cultures have sliding in their singing (the so called "vocal"-ness in singing and playing). you see, singing without sliding is like mimicing an instrument because most western instruments cannot slide (except for strings). while the western europeans spend that extra effort to sing like an instrument, other cultures try very hard to play like a singing voice. the sliding lines in many chinese, indian, middle eastern and east european instruments, show such tendencies. i used to be criticised very frequently for sliding into and out of my notes, which i then concluded to root in my exposure to chinese music, in which virtually every instrument, especially voice, slides in and out of almost everything. i like it better that way, it gives the music much more room for subtle manipulation. don't you agree. it's beautiful when you have all that pitches in between.

Michael Ondaatje Quotes

On writing and reading

- A writer uses a pen instead of a scalpel or blow torch..
- As a writer, one is busy with archaeology.
- I don't have a plan for a story when I sit down to write. I would get quite bored carrying it out.
- I don't see novels ending with any real sense of closure.
- I read fiction, a little nonfiction, a little poetry - as various as possible.
- I see the poem or the novel ending with an open door.
- I tend not to know what the plot is or the story is or even the theme. Those things come later, for me.
- It doubles your perception, to write from the point of view of someone you're not.
- It's a discovery of a story when I write a book, a case of inching ahead on each page and discovering what's beyond in the darkness, beyond where you're writing.
- It's a responsibility of the writer to get the reader out of the story somehow.
- It's why you create characters: so you can argue with yourself.
- Once I've discovered the story, I might restructure it, maybe move things around, set up a clue that something is going to happen later, but that happens much later in an editorial capacity.
- Prose is much more public; I would like it to be as private, intimate, casual, not structured as poetry, not having an agenda.
- Research can be a big clunker. It's difficult to know how you can make the historical light.
- Right now, I have no idea what I will write or if I will write again.
- To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.
- Truth, at the wrong time, can be dangerous.
- When I was writing Billy the Kid, all I had was the question, How do I write this book? That's always the question.
- When you're writing, it's as if you're within a kind of closed world.
- You don't want to write your own opinion, you don't want to just represent yourself, but represent yourself through someone else.
- You want to suggest something new, but at the same time, resolve the drama of the action in the novel.
- You're getting everyone's point of view at the same time, which, for me, is the perfect state for a novel: a cubist state, the cubist novel.
- The last three books are much more a case of a moment of history, what happened almost by accident or coincidence, like being in the same elevator or lifeboat.

On Anil's Ghost

- Anil's Ghost is a pretty serious book, but you do want to have a break.
- Anil's Ghost may be a familiar style to earlier books I've written, but it feels new to me.
- I did not expect Anil's Ghost to go off into a twenty or thirty page section in the Grove of Ascetics when I began, but that seemed to be the way the book should go.
- One of the metaphors was the burial and stealing of Buddhist statues, how they get stolen and buried, unearthed and resold. Like human life, a metaphor for human life.
- That's Anil's path. She grows up in Sri Lanka, goes and gets educated abroad, and through fate or chance gets brought back by the Human Rights Commission to investigate war crimes.

On The English Patient

- I do know that film is much more visceral, in terms of its effect on the reader.
- In the book the relationship with Katharine and Almasy is sort of only in the patient's mind.

On being a Sri Lankan born Canadian writer

- I grew up in a country that was very different - the germs of racism were there then, I just wasn't aware of it.
- I'm a Canadian citizen. But I always want to feel at home in Sri Lanka. I'm a member of both countries.
- It's an odd state to be in, blowing the whistle on your home country.

---------taken from here.

Aoi Teshima - Gedo Senki Kashu

>> photo from Ghibli World>> http://www.ghibliworld.com/
Left: Director Goro Miyazaki | Right center: Aoi Teshima

I can't remember when's the last time I wrote a review. Maybe I should just write down random stuff before the urge completely evaporates. While the album is on its way to yours and yours email box, here's a lil' appetiser.


(photo from Ghibli World>> http://www.ghibliworld.com/)

I wrote something about it in my animation blog so maybe Jeremy knows. Aoi Teshima is a new star born out of the upcoming Ghibli film 'Gedo Senki'(Tales of Earthsea, premier July 29th in Japan). The theme song of the movie, titled 'Teru no Uta'(Teru's song) is an instant hit. Extensive publicity helps of course but what truly captures thousands of fans is Aoi Teshima, this 18 year old's soothing voice. The director of the movie, Goro Miyazaki, pinpointed her to perform the theme song after listening to her demo tape. There's loneliness in that voice, a loneliness which only belongs to the youth. (director's quote) The lyrics are beautiful. I don't understand Japanese but at least I can tell they rhyme and it's perfect for an epic story like Gedo Senki. The songbook album that came out July 12th contains 10 tracks, all of them lullaby-ish ballads. If you enjoy 'Teru no uta'(track #9), you'll sure love the rest as well. Track #2 'Ryuu' (Dragon) is one of my favourites. It's a nice switch after my eardrums got stuck to rock n roll all week. It's summer and this album is like a cool breeze. Btw, Miyazaki already started preparations on his next film. According to the producer Suzuki, Miyazaki just wouldn't let his son surpass him. Wait and see. (Honestly I pity the rest of Ghibli staff. C'mon this's not all about Miyazaki business... I want to see more varieties! Goro draws exactly the same as his dad. This's impossible!) Back to the album. Enjoy!

>> Download link:Aoi Teshima - Gedo Senki Kashu (July 12, 2006)

ゲド戦記歌集 (Gedo Senki Kashu)
Artist: 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)
Date : 2006.07.12

1. 数え唄 (Kazoe Uta)
2. 竜 (Ryuu | Dragon)
3. 黄昏 (Tasogare | Twilight)
4. 別の人 (Betsuno nin | Another man)
5. 旅人 (Tabibito | Traveller)
6. ナナカマド (Nanakamado)
7. 空の終点 (Sora no Shuuten | The end of sky )
8. 春の夜に (Haru no yoru ni | Spring Night)
9. テルーの唄 (Teru no Uta)
10. 時の歌 (Toki no Uta)

------------------

Aoi Teshima Profile



Official Website >> Aoi Teshima
Kanji: 手嶌葵
(Singer, Voice actress)

B-day: 1987.6.21
Height: 174cm
Hobbies: Ballet, reading

------------------

Finally, the lyrics to 'Teru no Uta' (Kanji, Romaji, plus English & Chinese translations. Any more request? Guess not.)



テルーの唄

yuuyami semaru kumo no ue / 夕闇迫る　雲の上
itsumo ichiwa de tondeiru / いつも一羽で　飛んでいる
taka wa kitto kanashikarou / 鷹はきっと　悲しかろう

oto mo todaeta kaze no naka / 音も途絶えた　風の中
sora wo tsukanda sono tsubasa / 空をつかんだ　その翼
yasumerukoto wa dekinakute / 休めることは　できなくて

kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
taka no youna kono kokoro / 鷹のような　この心
kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
sora wo mauyouna kanashisawo / 空を舞うような　悲しさを

hitokage taeta no no michiwo / 人影絶えた　野の道を
watashi to tomoni ayunderu / 私と共に　歩んでる
anata mo kitto samishikarou / あなたもきっと　さみしかろう

mushi no sasayaku sougen wo / 虫のささやく　草原を
tomoni michi yuku hitodakedo / 共に道行く　人だけど
taete mono iu kotomonaku / 絶えてもの言う　こともなく

kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
hitori michi yuku kono kokoro / ひとり道ゆく　この心
kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
hitoribocchi no samishisawo / ひとりぼっちの　さみしさを

--- oOo ---

English Translation : Song of Teru

Over the cloud in the dusk
the hawk is flying always alone
He must surely be sad

All sounds are ceased in the wind
Holding on tight to the sky
he can't rest his wings

How do I express my mind
my mind like the hawk
How do I express my mind
my sadness that flies in the sky

The rain falls gently on the ground
Always hiding there behind the rock, a secret blooming
That little flower, is surely bitter

All colours fade in the rain
Who will ever stop by to appreiciate
its faint pink petals?

How do I express my mind
my heart, like that flower
How do I express my mind
the bitterness that sways in the rain

On this empty path
you who walk beside me
must surely be lonely

Insects are chirping in the grass
But we who walk together
have not spoken a sound

How do I express my mind
my mind that walks all alone
How do I express my mind
my loneliness that travels alone

--- oOo ---

中文翻译：特鹿之歌

夕阳彩云之间
总有一双翅膀 在那里徘徊
那头鹰 一定很悲伤吧

迎着风 听不到一丝声音
这双翅膀 紧紧地抓住天空
一刻都不能休憩

要将心比作什么？
好似那鹰一般的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
那飘舞在空中的悲伤

雨淅淅沥沥地下
躲在岩石背后 总是静静的绽放
那朵小小的花 一定很苦恼吧

在雨中 所有的颜色都变得朦胧
又有谁会来欣赏
它淡粉色的花瓣呢？

要将心比作什么？
好似那花一般的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
在雨中摇摆的苦恼

在这无人的 野外小路
和我一起的你
也一定 很寂寞吧

连虫子都在草丛中低吟
同行的人 却一声不吭

要将心比作什么？
形单影只的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
孤单一人的那份寂寞

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a rock group out of New York. I've been following ever since they came out with their first full album, Fever to Tell. Although their first album is more of the garage punk/alternative variety, their music is pretty eclectic in general. Their sound is kind of hard to pin down sometimes. Some people say it sounds like that, some people say it sounds like this...etc.... All I know is that Fever to Tell it was the first time I've heard a fake orgasm incorporated into rock music (see: Black Tounge). Miss O's voice ranges from loud, brash, and thrashy to sweet as in the song Maps. Versitality is the key with this band.

Their first album didn't sell that great worldwide (only 750,000 copies...good, but not superstardom by any means), which was probably a good thing as far as how the band operates in making music and keeping their heads level.

The band consists of three personages, singer Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase.

The half-Korean and half-Polish Karen O is the charistmatic lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and she's probably also the most spastic. She has an awesome stage presence and combines strange fashion with outrageous stage antics. She's done things like spit beer, fruit, and other assorted items at the crowd, swallowed a microphone, danced off a stage, and generally makes herself out to be a loveable nutcase like such singers as Iggy Pop. She really is a stage entertainer, and makes their live shows really entertaining. Sometimes she can really overshadow the other two band members...but really, the band probably wouldn't be where it is without her.

Nick Zinner is the guitarist for the band and an accomplished photographer, his photos ending up on their website. He's also published a photo book and served as the guitarist for another band on top of that. He's also a vegan and a member of PETA, and animal rights organization. He's responsible for some of the most catchy guitar riffs in recent rock memory.

Brian Chase is the drummer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He obviously keeps to himself, since there's not much that can be found about him online. He spends most of his time drumming...yeah.... But this guy can really beat the crap out of the drums, he knows what he's doing.

Recently the band let their fans make the video for their current single, Cheated Hearts. Now that takes guts.....

The Yeah Yeah Yeah's second album, Show Your Bones is probably much more accessible than their first album, and showcases their wider array of musical tastes while still remaining true to their own sound. I bought it right when it was released, and I definitely think it's the better of the two albums.

I short, I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's sound, and their live shows are definitely not to be missed for me.


Ah, that's where my case of Corona beer went....



So hard to find a pic of the band playing together

Radical champs

just my two cents worth of the new radical wimps album that has been circulating around.

Wat can i say...

their really quite radical in their ways...in terms of vocals, instrumentalization and song genres.

Why?

Vocals....Noda yojiro...vocals and guitar. have u not heard him? I still can't give an apt description of his vocal quality. It's nasal and plaintive at times, but the next moment it can be a caterwauling rock concert like squall. and he transits between the various range of timbre and pitches rather successfully without any glitches. But to be honest i prefer it when he sings more ballad like songs such as kome no senshokuta. Some songs that really exemplify this versatility - Hekkushun and Tonde hi ni Nairu natsu. Of the two the one that has made it to my favourite list is Hekkushun. Get a taste of his really quite perfect english in that one as well as a rather interesting transition between choir boy simpering to angst ridden rock brat from 3.19 onwards.
Instrumentalization .... the guitar plays a vital role in their entire get up. To be honest its in their more ballady and soulful songs that u get a taste of the slightly more brillantly orchestrated pieces. or maybe its just because it their rowdier and more rock songs i can't get a grip of the variety. Anyhows...listen to Hotaru, and pay attention to the solo around 3.19 ( seems like the interesting stuff occurs at this point ne?) the accompaniment to that is a xylophone of sorts. Why do I point that out? Well, to be honest, to me it's kinda rare hearing a xylophone in such a prominent role. Anyone who's played a xylophone noes wats bitches they can be. Hitting the right note, getting the right amount of wrist action and being on time is quite somehting, and to put it with a solo voice as solo acompaniment is a risky action which at the same time demonstrates the percussionist skill... unlesss....it's all done with a synthesizer...which ain't too hard to imagine in this day and age. oh welll...but it's still an interesting combi.

Another song that shows a nice blend of orchestration would be Saigo no uta ( my fave! ) that's where they employ the usage of orchestral strings along with a blend of rock faves, electric guitar drums... good going, that brought an extra pizzazz to the ballad.


Song genres .... Just listen to the album. Rock, pop, rap, R&B, soul, ballads....perfect cocktail for someone who has as short an attention span as moi.


Saigo no uta....

Lyrics: Noda Youjirou Music: Noda Youjirou

Modora nai kinou-tachi hontou ni ne
Arigato ne sabishii naa
Mada minu ashita-tachi ima iku ne
Yoroshiku ne ureshii naa

Kanawa nai negai-tachi hontou ni ne
Gomen ne itsuka kitto
Kanaerareta omoi-tachi arigato ne
Korekara mo zutto tomo ni

Chiisa na kodou furueru tabi
Omou no wa boku ga anata wo mamoru kara

Ima boku ga ikite iru toiu koto wa
Ima boku ga shiawase da toiu koto
Ima boku ga waratte nai toshite mo
Ima boku ga ikite iru sore dakede
Shiawase da toiu koto

Deae nai inochi-tachi kimi no fun mo
Boku wa kitto ganbaru yo
Kawashita kono yakusoku-tachi hanasa nai yo
Wasure nai yo yakusoku shiyou

Itsuka kono yo no dare mo ga ieru no ka na
“Boku wa mou nanimo nozomi wa shinai kara”
Chiisa na yume wo tsugi kara tsugi ni
Egaite wa sutete iku no wa
Hontou wa mou kore ijou nani mo ira nai kara

Ima boku ga ikite iru toiu koto wa
Ima boku ga shiawase da toiu koto
Ima boku no me ni namida ukandemo
Ima boku ga ikite iru sore dakede
Shiawase da toiu koto

Afureru inochi-tachi ikite iru
Boku ga iru ureshii naa
Kiete itta inochi-tachi itsuka wa ne
Boku mo iku ne sono hi made

Ima boku ga ikite iru toiu koto wa
Ima boku ga shiawase da toiu koto

Ima boku ga ikite iru toiu koto wa
Ima boku ga shiawase da toiu koto
Ima boku ga waratte nai toshite mo
Ima boku ga ikite iru soredakede
Shiawase da toiu koto
Ikite iru soredakede
Shiawase da toiu koto