MuL 135 Journal Entry 3 - Indie Is Not Indie Anymore (The Feeling That You Don't Belong)

(reposted from UVLe) 


Space

Stravinsky found his niche (a part of it, to be particular) by collaborating with Diaghilev and the Ballet Russe with his critically-acclaimed works such as Firebird, Petrushka and Rite of Spring. Early influence of Russian folk music was evident on his output, most of them are colorful and of varying complexities. The Parisians enjoyed them, his fellow Russians didn’t.

Bartok further concentrated more on the influence of Hungarian peasant music, along with occasional departures from tonality, on his compositions, as opposed to Gypsy music that was largely urban and largely commercial in terms of distribution. This also had a significant contribution in the field of ethnomusicology.

Time

Rachmaninov had a few influence, if any, of Skryabin and Stravinsky before him. Most of his output anchored firmly with Romanticism and the tonal system, to which he extended the application to some extent. He is basically traditional in terms of his work, he even remarked: “Perhaps I feel that kind of music I care to write is not acceptable today.”

Roslavets’ outputs have similarities with that of Skryabin and the Second Viennese School. However, advanced technical aspects applied in his music eventually resulted to displeasure of those in political power, causing him to be heavily censured.

The Futurists thought of “throwing out all previous conceptions of art in order  to develop a new kind, suitable for an age based upon technology,” as quoted from Marinetti. Russolo, in particular came up with intonarumori  (“noise intoners”), categorized into 6 timbral types such as booms, whistles, whispers, screams, percussive sounds and vocal sounds, both human and animal, in order to came up with his own music. Unfortunately, neither his scores with “graphic” notations nor hisintonarumori survived because the movement has lost its momentum.

Janacek was also influenced folk music. He developed the theory of “speech-melody,” which was employed mainly on his opera work. Unfortunately, his work was overshadowed by Bartok in terms of progressive styles used. At the same time, opera, which is his concentration, is already losing its audience because of shifting interests.

Kodaly introduced Hungarian folk music to Bartok. He also focused on it along with developmental music for children and amateurs (“Kodaly method”) while taking less of contemporary Western Europe styles.

Ravel’s music parallels that of Debussy, adhering closely to traditional tonal system. Most of his work echoes elements from foreign sources (particularly Swiss, Spanish, German and even American).  Although a Romanticist and highly technical, he shifted a bit with simple and clear compositions, in anticipation to neo-classical developments that would occur later on.

MuL135 Journal Entry 2: Breakthru

(Reposted from UVLe)

Schoenberg setting up the stage for a so-called 'atonal revolution,' along with athemacism, poses its own problems as well. There's that dependence of different texts, usually poetry, that keeps the whole composition alive and progressing. The problem with unsustainability challenges this movement in music because of its lack of definite structure, or rather, its deliberate abandonment of tonal structure and the lack of underlying themes. A tent without a frame is simply a sheet of waterproof material.

You could say that probably sudden, or hopefully, intuitive bursts of ideas and feelings, more like stream-of-conciousness would provide a certain direction on a composition's structural progression. With technical aspects of developing variation and musical prose, a piece could be unpredictable (or ambiguous, depending on your perception), free as well as continuous in form. You can add a few dissonant segments here, abuse chromaticism there. There is that freedom to create something new. But what is new could not simply stand by itself just because it is the opposite or an extension of a pre-existing system.

There's this Law of Conservation of Mass, as well as Law of Conservation of Energy. Or simply, you cannot create something out of nothing. Or in the current context, without a definite logic that will define how these atonal compositions are created, I don't think they would stand by themselves (or at least, during the time 'atonal revolution' was just starting). Or maybe it's just me, together with other folks, who wants everything to be justified by a certain logic. You could just make up your own rules and explicitly state assumptions. Maybe that could do.

Luckily, Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire worked pretty well. The use of Sprechtimme, although disturbing to me, made perfect sense thematically. I wonder if watching the actual performance  would prove me wrong.

MuL135 Journal Entry 1: Transitions

reposted from UVLe

Structure of compositions and related trends in music during the late 19th to early 20th century were characterized by notable departures, like the use of chromaticism and dissonance, or rather, the extensive application of the traditional tonal system, which slowly led to its own collapse. Individualism also affected on how every detail of a composition is put together. The use of distant registers; variations on timbre, texture, and modulation were employed to evoke a particular mood. Also, blurring transitions and manipulating key centers contributed to a certain level of ambiguity and uniqueness to every musical piece.

Backgrounds of key composers during the transitional period have resonating influences on their notable works, if not during the whole the course of their active career. Mahler's Austrian influence, analytic instrumentation and lyricism, along with the feeling of uncertainty and pessimism in his compositions differentiates him with Richard Strauss' consistency and confidence along with his revolutionized concept of orchestral sound and the progressive German structures. Meanwhile in France, Debussy's focus on programmatic approach with atmospheric and colorific effects put him in much contrast with Satie's "playfulness",  with his lean, and sometimes nondevelopmental, compositions. By the way, I had fun listening to that snippet (or is that all?) of his "Dessicated Embryos."

Being my first music course (yes, I'm not a music major), I don't really know what to expect on this course. AllI know about it is the course description, "20th Century Music." A three-word identifier carrying a large scope in history, ideas, music and everything in between. I don't know whether my rudimentary knowledge in music would take me anywhere. Maybe I'll learn a bit jazz, rock 'n roll, blues, soul and a few things; maybe I'll start to like the Beatles, Hendrix, and some figures in the swingin Sixties. Yeah, too much popular music.

Maybe this would be the right moment to jump into what I've been missing a 'lot' (well, not all) in music, on how it developed during the course of the last century and on where it thrives in the current setting. Maybe I'll pick up some of those and I'll become, at least, a "more intelligent" music enthusiast. It may take some time, probably an indefinite transition. But still, I'll give it a try.

Heaven Electronics

I'm looking at the face of a person
It's on the screen, it's electronic
Looking at it makes me hear a loud tick
Time slows down yet I'm left by action

Feeling a pain in the chest, tightening
I seem to chase my breath, I'm not losing
I have to get over this, yes I do
They're just pictures reminding me of you

Like stars in the midnight sky, they shine bright
They instill awe simply just by staring
But you don't know if they're still burning
They may be just the last spark of light

We still have a virtual link left
It's not enough to write every letter
Comprising a message I'll send later
I can't finish it, no characters left

If only I could connect with you now
I'd use this virtual reality, yes
Chances of meeting you would be endless
Heaven electronics I don't know how



Dug this one from my old stuff, made this almost 3 years ago.

Dancing Queen

Made this piece for a friend. It is still messy like the one I did before but I'm really glad she liked it. ;D

Train

I board the train one in the afternoon
Hoping to see and ask you out before June
I'll come from the east end, five stations away
A few blocks walk, maybe drop by and stay

It's still early in the afternoon
A few days before it becomes June
Didn't send a message because it's a surprise
I'm not really confident with my disguise

I dropped by a store to get us something to nibble
I chose what would delight you and what I'm able
I'm so excited to share it with you, watch you enjoy it
Be really grateful to make you happy even with that bit

Before that, I watched a Spanish film for the first time
Really lucky to do so because I don't have any extra dime
I don't know if you've already seen something like that
It'd be fun with you but I planned a surprise from where you're at

Traveled almost the whole the whole train line
Transferred and rode a few stations from another line
I enjoyed staring at the view above most buildings
Like last year, with you, sharing nonsense of no endings

I arrived at your home, it was almost five
Sending that surprise message makes me more than alive
I would like to go inside but can't remember which door
I know I've been to the place almost two years before

I waited a bit for your reply to come
Or perhaps meet me at the gate for a welcome
Took a peek every minute or two
Never been so eager just to see you

Almost a quarter passed and no response
Your sister went out of the gate, I took a chance
Asked if your inside, she said you're out with a friend
She's a bit in a hurry, having fun with her friends

Stayed near the gate, leaned on the wall for some time
Another ten, fifteen minutes for a response
My father would be coming to my place in no time
Maybe I'll see you a bit just to catch a glance

Ten before six, I saw your sister again
I asked her to forward to you my treat
Really thankful she was there, just talkin'
It would break my heart if I'll eat all of it

I board the train when it was almost six
Saw a familiar face, didn't bother 'cause my head aches
I should've sent the message a lot earlier
It could've ended the day a lot better

Off the train then a jeepney ride
On a route into that university side
Checked the my phone, saw and read your message
I smiled, it relieved that day's frustration damage



Made this one early this afternoon. Apologies to the form and substance. I'd like to have it that way.

National Museum of the Filipino People

I saw this one while cleaning my closet yesterday. I apologize because it's loosely written on Filipino.


Reaction Paper for Anthro 10 WFY
September 23, 2009

Kung susuriin ang lahat ng bagay na naka-exhibit, mapapansing may iba't ibang impreson ang mga Pilipino, pati na mga dayuhan, tungkol sa representasyon ng katawan.
Halimbawa na lang ang Metamorphosis at iba (pang) mga iskultura ni Jesus Araos, na bubungad mula saibaba ng hagdan saunang palapag. Tampok dito ang putol na pigura ng tatlong balletdancers na kasama lamang ang kanilang torso, bahagi ng binti na malapit sa balakang, at mga balikat. Ang approach na ginamit niya sa mga iskulturang ito ay pinaghalong realismo surrealismo dahil sa porma ng muscle ng kani-kaniyang iskultura, bagamat mapapansing  medyo nakaka-distract yung ibang muscles na para bang bukol ang mga hitsura. Ani Araos, ang katawan natin ay sumasailalim sa serye ng pagiging balanse at di-balanse, tulad na lamang ng (sa) mga ballet dancers. Bawat porma ng katawan sa isang partikular na dance stepay nagbibigay ng natatanging impresyon sa kagandahan okapangitan ng katawan ng isang tao.
Kahit sa mga Maitum at Manunggul burial jars ay mayroon ding mga antropomorpikong anyo ng mga taong yumao na. Ang mga Maitum jars ay kamukha umano ng yumaong nakapaloob ang mga labi (dito). Ang mga detalye ng mga anyong tao na nakasakay sa bangka na nasa takip ng Manunggul jar ay kahawig ng paniniwala ng paniniwala ng Griyego kay Charon at sa Ilog Styx. Ang mga sinaunang Pilipino ay naniniwala sa muling-pagkabuhay kaya ganun na lang ang pagpapahalaga ng mga naulila sa mga labi ng kanilang mahal sa buhay.
Sa Mindanao, lalo na sa mga komunidad na nasatabing-dagat,ay mayroong sunduk o grave markers na anyong tao rin ang hitsura. Kadalasang napapalibutano nakapatong ito sa isang platform na mukhang bangka.
Kahit sa mga iba't ibang ritwal , 'di mawawala ang mga anito na may antropomorpikong katangian. Tulad na lamang ng mga bulol na matatagpuan sa Ifugaom na malaki ang kaugnayan sa  kanilang mga ritwal sa pagsasaka  at magandang ani. Pati na rin sa ritwal ng paghihiganti, na maaari nating maiugnay sa Alim at Hudhud na epiko sa Ifugao, ay ginagamit din ito.May mga kasangkapan din, na bagamat hindi mga bulol, ay may malaking pagkakahawig sa hitsura ng mga tao.Kabilang sa mga ito ang mga bangko (kung saan pinapasan ng mga pigurang ito ang mga nakaupo), mga tabo at sandok (kung saan may imahe ng tao sa mga hawakan), at mga mangkok (na kanila ring binubuhat). Mayroon pa ngang palayok na masuso sa exhibit na ang panlabas na kaaunyuan ay malalaki at magkakatabing dibdib, na marahil ay gunagamit sa isang fertility ritual.
Kahit sa mga mitolohikal na nilalang ay mayroon ding kasamang representasyon ng katawan ng tao. Isa sa mga ito ang Borak, isang nilalang na kalahating tao, kalahating kabayo (parang centaur sa Kanluraning kultura) na mula sa mga Maranao sa Mindanao. Minsan din ay mayroong pakpak ang iskultura nito na para bang gryphon o chimera sa Europa.
Sa kontemporaryong sining, mayroon ding mga magagandang likha na nagpapakita ng pakikihalubilo ng iba't ibang katawan sa kanyang kapaligirigan. Ilan sa mga likha ni Ildefonso Marcelo, tulad ng Balut Vendor at Father and Child, ang ilan sa matibay na halimbawa ng mga ito.
Ilan lamang ang mga nabanggit sa itaas sa mga representasyon ng katawan ng ta sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa. Kadalasan, ang mga antropomorpikong mga pigurang ito ay may malaking bahagi sa pamumuhay ng kung saan ito matatagpuan. Maaaring ito'y ginagamit sa sa iba'tibang ritwal, panandang mahahalagang bagay (tulad ng mga labi ng yumao), kasangkapan sa araw-araw na gawain, pagsamba, mga tipikal na kabuhayan at iba pa.
Sa totoo lang, nagulat (at namangha) talaga ako sa lahat ng exhibit na nakita ko (sa National Museum of the Filipino People). Kung ihahambing ang kultura sa pre-Hispanic period (ng mga ninuno natin) sa mga kasabayan nito noong mga panahon, masasabing  mayaman talaga ang kultura natin. Dala na marahil ng ating heograpikal na kalagayan kaya mapapansin nating (bawat isa sa mga ito'y masasabing) natatangi at iba't iba. Sa pagkakahati ng mga pangunahing komunidad sa bansa sa apat na pangkat - tabing-dagat, kabundukan (Ifugao, Mt.Province), palibot ng lawa(Lanao, Maguindanao, at Laguna), at kapatagan (Central Luzon) - makikita at mapapatunayan ang mga ito.
'Di ko maitatanggi ang matindi kong paghanga samga likhang metal sa Maguindanao at Lanao sa Mindanao. Makikita sa mga ito ang pagiging mabusisi, malikhain, at ang pagkakaroon ng mataas na antas ng kasanayan ng mga Pilipino noong sinaunang panahon. 'Di ko makalimutan yung magandang mangkok o lalagyan ng mga prutas (o yung tinatawag nilang cornucopia) na may magandang disenyo, maaaring hango sa sining ng Arabia, na dala na rin ng impluwensiya ng Islam. Isa pang nakakatuwang bagay ay ang araro na ang frame ay hugis Sarimanok. Naisip ko lang, mas maganda at maarte pang tignan yung araro kaysa sa kalabaw o baka na humihila dito. Kahit papaano, maraming mga kagamitan sa bahaging iyonng Mindanao ang nananatiling buhay parin hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Ang kolonisasyon ang maituturing nating may malaking epekto sa paglaho o kaya nama'y pagbabago ng kultura ng mga sinaunang Pilipino. Ang pagpapanatili ng kanilang kultura sa pamamagitan ng sining atiba pang mga kasanayan ay lubhang nag-iba pagkatapos ng higit tatlongdaang taon na pamamalagi ng mga dayuhan sa ating bansa. Ang pagkakaroon ng kapangyarihang mamuno ang nagdidikta  kung anong mga bahagi ng kanyang nasasakupan ang mananatili at buburahin. Maaaring 'di ito ganun kahayagan tulad ng mga nakaraang siglo, pero ang kulturang ating bansa  ay mabilis na nagbago dahil sa globalisasyon. Maraming natutuwa, maraming hindi. Ang pagtuklas sa sarili nating kultura ay hindi kailanman natatapos; naghuhukay tayo ng mga nakabaon sa ilalim ng lupa o lumubog sa ilalim ng dagat habang sa kabilang banda, pilit tayong bumubuo ng ng sarili nating kulturamula sa mga nakalakhan nating mga tradisyon at sa impluwensiyang dayuhan na pumapasok sa bansa dala ng globalisasyon. Hahabiin natin ang nakaraan kasama ng kasalukuyan para sa hinaharapat ang hinaharap ang magpapatuloy ng magtatagpi-tagpi sa isang ideyang tatawaging kulturang Pilipino.
Mapalad kami sa klase ng Anthro10 na masaksihan ang mga mga pili at natatagong yaman ng bansa sa National Museum of the Filipino People. Sana ay lumaki pa ang mga naka-exhibit doon at sana'y makita sila ng mas marami nating kababayan. Ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman ang pagmamalaki ng pagiging Pilipino.

*Ang susunod na bahaging eto ay 'di kasali sa naipasang gawain:

Matapos ng paglilibot sa museo, umikot ako sa paligid nito upang hanapin ang daan papuntang Rizal Park. Unang beses ko pa lang makakapuntaroon.Mainit pa na Linggo ng tanghali na noon.
'Di pala mismo nalalapitan yung rebulto ni Rizal kasi may bakod, ang layo pa nung hangganan. Medyo nadismaya ako dahil dun. Tumingin ako sa rebulto at tila kinausap ko ito saglit.
Sabi ko parang, "Bakit overrated ka?"
Tumigil ako saglit, lumingon sa bahaging Manila Bay, at nagsimula na kong maglakad sa dagat ng tao, papuntang Taft Ave. para maghanap ng masasakyan pauwi ng Quezon City.

No. 39

Note: There's a 'hidden message' in this one, literally

Wishy-washy I could be silly
Every time I'm with you, you hit me
Just do not dismiss all my efforts
Unless absent, nobody comforts
Stick around, it doesn't matter
Take time on it, I'll never falter
Chaos cannot be controlled by me
Alibis I make, you wouldn't see
Neither you or whatever that be
Things go beyond a dichotomy
Barren the tree becomes before fall
Every memory after that dull
Beyond that time, you might've been gone
Unlike then, we're classmates on at least one
Those chances present, I've taken none
Wishy-washy, I could be foolish
Every message you sent, I cherish
Let things happen' occurs to often
Living like this, my chances lessen
Sunflowers are not on the bloom yet
'Till that day comes, plans should be set
I expect a little on what I'll get
Like a last die roll, I'll place my bet
Last or not, I hope there's no regret
Being constrained helps, or it does not
Every thought I have starts with a 'but'
Freedom, a resource that I misuse
Really bothers me the things I choose
I always doubt, actions lead to lose
Even though the tides are against me
Never mind them, carry on and be
Die trying, that, I hope, you will see
Soon, I promise I'll be, less than three

"Grades don't measure intelligence and age doesn't define maturity" - First Term

1.0

Mondays were assigned as the 'break' day for students during weekdays. Sounds good for long weekends or cramming requirements, right? No, you can't. But maybe if there's some weird non-working holiday (aside from the red ones on the calendar), you can enjoy a few of them.

Class covers the whole day, 8-11am then 1-4 pm. Boring isn't it? I do a few plates for the day yet I have no idea what to do. I can't do anything because I don't have a good compass, an extra pencil, or a decent eraser. I struggled learning what must be done with those plates. Come final exam, I'm not prepared because I was busy with another subject, which has an activity also happening for a whole day. That 4-hour exam probably was my worst, in terms of preparedness. Utterly neglected it along the way.

54.0

8:30 AM mornings, I take a 20-minute walks from where I live to your classroom. I walk against waves of students coming from where I'm going, or any place near it. I see them every day or rather every other, I used to have a crush or two from those waves of students. I really don't really expect anything, just get into the class and prepare for scheduled exams . I already knew someone beforehand before we became classmates on that class. I don't get bored on class because you can share a lot of things, important or not, discretely. I'm always excited to tell him whatever your busy with or what you've learned after your class the previous day.
On the first exam, we looked and compared our answer sheets. His score was better than mine, but, we both failed.
"What happened to us? Is the exam really that hard?" he asked.
"I don't know. Honestly, I can't answer a thing properly during exam because I'm panicking all throughout, it's as if I've forgotten what I've studied the night before."
We carried on, took the next few exams, checked the trend of our scores and computed target grades. We talked to our instructor before the deadline of dropping to check our standing. We didn't drop, hoping that we could bounce back with the remaining exams.
Fast forward to the final exams, a few moments after it actually.
"How was it? Do you have any plans if the fallout happens?" he asked.
"I don't know, feels like Final Crisis to me - 'the skies bleed red, universes collapse, heroes die..." You know what I mean? I'm really worried about my scholarship, I just hope they'll understand and reconsider. How about you?"
"I maybe I'll proceed my decision of shifting-out. My parents are also considering that option. I think that was the thing I really wanted to do."
"Well, good luck with that. *laughs* What about our comic book project? You'll right then I'll produce it or is it the other way around?"
"*laughs* Whatever your comfortable. And we'll get on it as soon as we have a concrete and interesting premise."
He went to his dormitory while I continued on my way home. We still exchange text messages occasionally. Our 'project' is still to be discussed indefinitely. Maybe the next time I'll see him, he's already starting a degree in law. While a few of my friends are continuing their studies as future lawyers and doctors, I'm still here trying to get meaning of what I really want to be (or is it what I really want to do.)


To be continued...

Tenses and other mish-mash

Thinking back and forth. That's what I do often. When I think about it, there's this crude idea of risk management to which I anchor upon everything I do during the course twenty-two-year life. There are those times you simply hold back things because they aren't worth it or you rush through stuff headlong just because it's just plain, simple fun. This past year has been the hardest (yet) but the best (so far), in terms of self-fulfillment. I'll try to make a brief run-through to get this point started.


Past
After getting through high school, there's that feeling trying out almost everything you can in college. Basically, you have an environment that is very different from what you've used to. Meet new friends and acquaintances, get around the metro and somewhere else, try new things and rediscover forgotten/neglected ones. I got so amazed of what's in store for me and how these things are easily within my reach whereas back in high school and grade school, it's simply a blessing when you even get to see any of them.

Apparently, after one-and-a-half to two years of a little merry-making, I failed my Elementary Analysis II. That fatal mistake made me realize my limitations and gave a short hint of what the rest of my journey of college would be.
Just when you're ready to get up, another unexpected thing happens to you. I got hospitalized for twelve days, during final exams week, because I was diagnosed with leptospirosis with acute kidney failure as a complication. It was the longest twelve days of my life, I tried to study for my exams but of no good because your body doesn't cooperate either. And that cost me another year in college.

Then, there's this what I call 'year one' (there's also 'year one point five') to catch up with every subject I missed. Here I also made a lot of new (and continuing) friendships, tried a few more things and discarded some. It could have been the best time of my life but in fact, I haven't accomplished anything I could be proud of yet.


Present
I'm slowly getting the feel of what I should expect with my current course (honestly, I've been clueless for the longest time). Dealing with multiple (and sometimes overlapping) deadlines is a tough job, along with sharpening my analytical and creative (yes, seriously) skills didn't seem that easy. I've been through a lot of night-outs these past few months, had some fun, listened a lot and shared a few (lol). Juggling with playing catch up with your friends and your current program seems to cost you some headaches but is definitely rewarding.

As this semester's close is fast approaching, the workload piling up, and various dates to take not off, I take a short break to think, "Am I doing it right? Did I achieve what I have set on my sight?" Well, that can be argued. Recently, almost all of my outputs are sub par and I can't be proud of it. What thing could make me proud of and also, when is that happening?


Future
Honestly, I don't know what career I'll be taking after I graduate. I'll still try new things that could help me decide on it. Maybe I'll try to be in a band, grow flowers or vegetables, write a book (or a comic book perhaps), the list goes on.

Plans for incoming months include a company internship (still waiting progress through some followups, multiple options considered and fingers crossed) or summer classes (for advanced units or again, catch up - hopefully not the latter). Whichever comes first will be it.

I'll try to give out my best on what I'm currently doing and what happens after it. Maybe I'll discover what I really want to do as I go along.