Orientalism in Music
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 2:06PM
Hello
I'm trying to put together a playlist of Orientalism in classical music. I've got a few obvious examples already (Rondo alla turca, The Ruins of Athens, Scheherazade, Die Entfuhrung aus Dem Serail, Samson et Dalila, etc.) as well as a couple of slightly less obvious ones (Ich mochte wohl der Kaiser sein, Les Pelerins de la Mecque), but I was wondering if anyone else had any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 6:11PM
#2
RE: Orientalism in Music
Bax and Vaughan Williams quite often put a bit of 'orientalism' in their symphonies. However, especially with Bax, it is the kind of orientalism you get in Hollywood films when the chinaman walks on. diddle-diddle-din-din, din-din-din. Puccini would be my choice.
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 7:10PM
#3
RE: Orientalism in Music
Bax and Vaughan Williams quite often put a bit of 'orientalism' in their symphonies. However, especially with Bax, it is the kind of orientalism you get in Hollywood films when the chinaman walks on. diddle-diddle-din-din, din-din-din. Puccini would be my choice.
And mine too.
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 7:19PM
#4
RE: Orientalism in Music
With regard to Beethoven's "Ruins of Athens", I was thinking particularly of the Turkish March, and also the Chorus of Dervishes.
And when I say "Orientalism", I mean it in a broad sense - the imitation or depiction of "Eastern" cultures by "Western" ones. I was trying to be as vague as possible because I'm aware how problematic these terms and categories are, which is part of why I'm trying to compile the list in the first place.
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 8:05PM
#5
RE: Orientalism in Music
For Mozart and Beethoven (and their audiences), Turkish elements provided an element of exoticism. Rameau explored exotic places in Les Indes Galantes, and Purcell in Abdelazar or The Moor's Revenge.
Holst had his Eastern moments in Beni Mora.
Balakirev and Borodin also explored the sound world of the Middle East, although it was rather closer to their own world.
Tue, Apr 10 2012, 11:05PM
#6
RE: Orientalism in Music
Bantock. Fascinated by the Orient, although I think his more successful pieces lay closer to home.
Foulds.
There is more orientalism in Saint-Saens music than is perceived in Samson et Delilah.
Wed, Apr 11 2012, 1:41AM
#7
RE: Orientalism in Music
Orientalism of some sort is to be found in Mahler's Song of the Earth.
Wed, Apr 11 2012, 3:21AM
#8
RE: Orientalism in Music
I know many Debussy's piano pieces show influences from oriental music, since the composer was truly impressed by a javanese gamelan ensemble's performance during the Paris International Exposition of 1889. He used to say that the poliphony and counterpoint of javanese music made Palestrina seem like child's play.
Pagodes, from Estampes, is conseidered to be one of them.
Wed, Apr 11 2012, 5:26AM
#9
RE: Orientalism in Music
In a very vague way of the perception of "western" versus "eastern" music, one may consider most of the originally inspired slavic music (Russian and all the rest of the region) as "orientalism". I wonder what they may call the influence of Dvorak about the "New World". Possibly...westernism.
Parla
Sat, Apr 14 2012, 12:26AM
#10
RE: Orientalism in Music
Or Occidentalism, maybe?
Sat, Apr 14 2012, 12:39AM
#11
RE: Orientalism in Music
I like da bit in no woman no cry on da bob marley live album were about 6 minutes into da intrduction bob says ' yeah yeah yeah' that be a complete occident as well, he never mean ta do it but it really liven up da piece.
Sat, Apr 14 2012, 6:32AM
#12
RE: Orientalism in Music
I like da bit in no woman no cry on da bob marley live album were about 6 minutes into da intrduction bob says ' yeah yeah yeah' that be a complete occident as well, he never mean ta do it but it really liven up da piece.
How tiresome this Brodskysaurian "humour" is. And he's so transparent! Still, it takes all sorts, as they say.
Vic.
Sat, Apr 14 2012, 2:12PM
#13
RE: Orientalism in Music
I've actually visited Bob Marley's birthplace where you could not move for Bob Marley memorabilia, some of which, I'm sure, was genuine.
Interesting that his father was white and fathered him when he was sixty five and his mother was sixteen.
Bob was nine when his father died. I think that he inherited quite a number of half brothers and sisters.
Before we proceed, may I kindly ask what kind of "orientalism" you did find in the "Ruins of Athens"?
Maybe, it will help if you define what you perceive as "orientalism" in music (I presume we always talk about Classical Music).
Parla