(this is some information that I received from Dr. Michael Ballam, this information is unedited notes of Dr. Ballam, hence there are the spelling error and typos. It is my intent to not edit them for the purpuse of not risking to change the meaning of the text. It is my desire to inform you of these errors so as to not take away any credibiliy from Dr. Ballam because of possible impressions that these mistakes may have on people to lower his credibility.)
VERDI AND VITTORIO EMANUEL
In southern Europe, revolution was on the minds of the people as well. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), Italy’s most prolific and revered operatic composer was also an important influence in the Risorgimento (revolution) of Italy. In 1842 Verdi wrote Nabucco, an opera based on the biblical history of the tyranny heaped upon the Children of Israel by the Babylonians. It is the story of King Nebuchadnezzar (630-562 B.C.), king of Babylonia between 605-562 B.C.,captured Jerusalem in 597 B.C. and destroyed it in 586 B.C. and the plight of the Hebrews who are wrenched from their homeland and taken into captivity by a foreign power. The people of Italy could certainly identify with the plight of the Hebrew children, as such had been their own case for centuries. During the premiere of Nabucco, when the Hebrew Children sang their mournful, yet hopeful hymn Va Pensiero (fly with our thoughts) the people were moved to tears. The chorus reflects on the idea that personal freedoms and properties can be taken away from us, but we are still free in our thoughts. The parallels of the captive Hebrews and the tyrannized Italians caused them to identify strongly with the moment in the opera, compelling the audience to shout ancora (encore!). The hymn was repeated numerous times and became the unofficial anthem of the risurgimento (revolution). Even Verdi’s name came the acronym for the movement. The phrase Viva Verdi, came to stand for Vittorio Emanuelo Rè D’Italia or Long live Victor Emanuel, King of Italy. Verdi’s philanthropic life (he left his estate to establish a rest home for elderly singers and musicians) as well as his love for his people and homeland made him beloved above most any other composer of history. On the outside of the hotel adjacent to La Scala, the great opera house of Milano where Verdi dedicated his life is a plaque to announce to the world that Verdi died there. It says in bronze relief “Qui la spirito della Maestro accendevit a cielo”, (it was from here, that the spirit of the master ascended to heaven). A fitting obituary for a great man. When Verdi’s body was brought from the cathedral in Milano to be placed in a carriage to begin the final journey to his resting place in the center of his endowed rest home, hundreds of thousands of visitors in attendance began simultaneously, without cue to sing Va Pensiero. Can the musical works of one person influence thousands, even millions, both during their lifetimes but in the future as well. Indeed! During Verdi’s most productive years, here in America we were struggling with great conflict. The Civil War brought more loss of life and property than any other for Americans in history. The battle waged for years and seemed to have no end.
My Purpose
My Purpose
The purpose of this blog is to help people understand that music can be more then just entertainment, and what those things are. I want be able to help people with this blog. I don't know everything about music, I am still studying it, however, I will share what I have found. I hope you will be enlighted and edified by what I have to share. I worry that some people might turn a deaf ear to my blog if they read something on this blog that they don't agree with. I respect your beliefs. I don't agree with everything I read either. But I know you can find something that can help and interest you, if you just keep reading.
The purpose of this blog is to help people understand that music can be more then just entertainment, and what those things are. I want be able to help people with this blog. I don't know everything about music, I am still studying it, however, I will share what I have found. I hope you will be enlighted and edified by what I have to share. I worry that some people might turn a deaf ear to my blog if they read something on this blog that they don't agree with. I respect your beliefs. I don't agree with everything I read either. But I know you can find something that can help and interest you, if you just keep reading.
"Quotes Worth Mentioning"
QUOTES WORTH MENTIONING
When asked where his inspiration came from, Johannes Brahms said, "I immediately feel vibrations that thrills my whole being. These are the Spirit illuminating the soul power within, and in this exalted state, I see clearly what is obscure in my ordinary moods: Then I feel capable of drawing inspiration from above, as Beethoven ... Straighway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration. Measure by measure, the finished product is revealed to me when I am in those rare, inspired moods." "The powers from which all truly great composers like Mozart, Schubert, Bach and Beethoven drew their inspiration is the same power that enabled Jesus to work his miracles. It is the same power that created our earth and the whole universe"
("Talks with Great Composers", Arthur M. Abell)
"Give me power over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not for who shapes it laws"
Napolian Bonaparte
“Intellectual enlightenment consists of instruction in the arts, numbers, history, speech, and government. Music consummates a man’s life, giving his rituals meaning. Music has a trensforming effect on its listeners, and should be the first principle of government.” -The Teachings of Confucius.
I quote some remarks between,Gene R. Cook, and Mik Jagger made a few years ago:
Cook: "I have the opportunity to be with a lot of young people. Many say your music does not affect them adversely in any way. Others say it effects them in a very bad way. What is your opinion? What is your impact?”
Jagger "Our music is calculated to drive the kids to sex. It's not my fault what they do. It's up to them. I'm just making a lot of money.”
Cook: He was in Mexico making a profane and pornographic music video because the cost is 1/3 there. In addition it is easier to produce such videos there at the moment. He explained that though such videos with explicit sexual behavior is illegal on US national television, it soon will be, and they want to have the videos ready. Now not only audio pornography can be portrayed, but they can view it as well. He was making more money this way."
Jagger:“It doesn't matter what you do in life, there are no rules. There is no god. You can take whatever you want. It doesn't matter."
"To encourage literature and the arts is the duty which every good citizen owns to his country."
George Washington
"Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it."
Aristotle
(more qoutes to come)
When asked where his inspiration came from, Johannes Brahms said, "I immediately feel vibrations that thrills my whole being. These are the Spirit illuminating the soul power within, and in this exalted state, I see clearly what is obscure in my ordinary moods: Then I feel capable of drawing inspiration from above, as Beethoven ... Straighway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration. Measure by measure, the finished product is revealed to me when I am in those rare, inspired moods." "The powers from which all truly great composers like Mozart, Schubert, Bach and Beethoven drew their inspiration is the same power that enabled Jesus to work his miracles. It is the same power that created our earth and the whole universe"
("Talks with Great Composers", Arthur M. Abell)
"Give me power over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not for who shapes it laws"
Napolian Bonaparte
“Intellectual enlightenment consists of instruction in the arts, numbers, history, speech, and government. Music consummates a man’s life, giving his rituals meaning. Music has a trensforming effect on its listeners, and should be the first principle of government.” -The Teachings of Confucius.
I quote some remarks between,Gene R. Cook, and Mik Jagger made a few years ago:
Cook: "I have the opportunity to be with a lot of young people. Many say your music does not affect them adversely in any way. Others say it effects them in a very bad way. What is your opinion? What is your impact?”
Jagger "Our music is calculated to drive the kids to sex. It's not my fault what they do. It's up to them. I'm just making a lot of money.”
Cook: He was in Mexico making a profane and pornographic music video because the cost is 1/3 there. In addition it is easier to produce such videos there at the moment. He explained that though such videos with explicit sexual behavior is illegal on US national television, it soon will be, and they want to have the videos ready. Now not only audio pornography can be portrayed, but they can view it as well. He was making more money this way."
Jagger:“It doesn't matter what you do in life, there are no rules. There is no god. You can take whatever you want. It doesn't matter."
"To encourage literature and the arts is the duty which every good citizen owns to his country."
George Washington
"Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it."
Aristotle
(more qoutes to come)
PLEASE NOTE: It would greatly benefit the reader to follow blog postings from the first post to the most recent. Using the Blog Archive in the left column of the page to jump to the oldest posts. For now I will see if I can find a way to display the posting in chronilogical order, first post to the latest post.
No comments:
Post a Comment