Universal Resonance

William, thanks for sharing these wonderful videos featuring Adiemus. Their music and choral work is fantastic. The title song "Adiemus" is very passionate and inspiring. Although the words are nonsense, they DO communicate feeling and energy that touch us at a subliminal location nearer the soul than the cerebrum.

My little dog communicates with me, with great eloquence, by the look in his eyes, the motion of his tail, the movement of the hair on his face...very subtle ques that I cannot comprehend intellectually but I somehow understand at a deeper level. (Of course, some will say that much of my communication with my pet is imaginary. But I'm not arguing that point right now.) This music also communicates to us in ways we cannot comprehend intellectually, but we understand at that deeper level. Perhaps it does spur the imagination or the intuition, that may be part of its affect. But it demonstrates that aesthetics operates at a deeper level than normal sentient response. We need not "know the words to that song" to be able to enjoy listening to it and being affected by it deeply.

Samm

Samm, what I find so moving is the absence of synthetics. It's all too human and the ease of how it all just...............fits. The simplicity of it with a very rhythmic heart beat that is constant and unwavering and everything just embellishes it. From observing the production of his Christmas Album, he is now incorporating trumpets. Whether that is as a result of the rendition Enya added, I don't know; but this illustrates how we, with the aid and appreciation of others, can create a music that all can appreciate.

The "Song of Spirit, using only strings and mostly Ukes with some guitars, was, I thought brilliant though it was, I think, too long. I did like the last full score better.

Thanks Samm for your comments and I concur whole heartedly. :band:
William

There's obviously a connection between "celtic" folk-music and certain forms of contemporary "new-age" music, a musical form that is often less appreciated because of its lack of "authenticy", a prejudice that could blind us for its real beauty. Take for example the many pieces based on texts from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", or its impressive film-adaptation by Peter Jackson. Being an anglo-saxon scholar Tolkien built in many linguistic references in his self-designed elvish languages Quenya and Sindarin, which are a phonetic mix of welsh and finnish with some other "ancient" influences. But why does this "work" so well, how can an artificial language set on a modern tune seem so profoundly related with these ancient songs? Imho there's not only a likeness of form but also of content. Doesn't this kind of music express a return to our western "roots" or at least a longing for it? Perhaps there is also a longing to restore our disturbed relation with nature and the universe? Or a search for something Eternally Human, for an antidote against many forms of alienation and against the shallowness of modern entertainment. While at the same time restoring pride and faith, in an age when bravery and valor are replaced by politics and cowardly tricks. Let me give a few examples. What does the following music "does" and "say" to you?




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTgwvadr3J0&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8FYjyvsd00&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiCGR5JHqA&feature=related

I am no lover of these scores they are suitable for romantic films and little else. Contrived , formulated and poured like syrup on a plate of emotional offal. Sorry folks , I see the attraction but its not for me.

Its a brave claim to say any music can have a common expression. I like honesty in music and many orchestral interpretations of folk, especially Celtic, gives me the screaming ad dabs. A common mans expression of life becomes synthetic and only worthy of a back drop to a Hollywood film. There is formula that can be said to resound with our emotions and it is successful in its purpose but once you know its formulated the attraction becomes recognisable and you feel used. Music can be abused by cynical musicians.

A smoke filled room, one old man singing a song of his youth with the feelings only he could express gives me more thrill than any orchestrated arrangement.

William and Catchy,

I found some of the music in this thread incredibly beautiful. I adore Adiemus; William, I think you've made good observations about Jenkins's compelling technique. I was drawn to the magical Namarie song and its language -- I went to Youtube to read more about it. There is an element of ineffable enchantment here.

Xris,

I'd very much appreciate it if you could post or suggest an example of music that resonates with you -- I understand, of course, that it might/not resonate with me, but I would like to hear it.

I'm curious, do you generally dislike orchestrated and "studio sound" music, or only when that sound becomes too formulaic, or is applied to another genres which you feel are inappropriate for it, like traditional music?

I do agree with you that some the modern "celtic" sound has taken a left turn, though I did not hear it in the LOTR music posted in thiis thread. And while I like quite a bit of Adiemus, I, like you, hear too much "studio sound" in much of Enya's music.

In light of your comment about an old man honestly commenting on his life, I'd like your (and, of course, others') opinion on the following Youtube post. WARNING: BLUEGRASS. But this short semi-documentary music video has an interesting history -- well, interesting to me, since I live in bluegrass country.

Kenny Baker, probably nearing 70 when the vid was made, was the late Bill Monroe's fiddle player for years -- and though Bill Monroe is credited with writing the exquisite bluegrass fiddle tune "Jerusalem Ridge", everyone "knows" Kenny Baker deserves the credit.

So this local documentary musical vid was made in 1985, showing Kenny and Bill and a few of the old boys sitting around the porch (the location looked a bit like our local Long Hollow Jamboree, which has weekly bluegrass jam sessions, but there were chickens clucking in the background, so I'm not sure...)

Kenny picked up the fiddle, the boys start jamming -- and still, at his advanced age, Kenny played every note of Jerusalem Ridge to sweet perfection. He remains (IMO) the only fiddle player who has ever "gotten it right". I've listened to well over two dozen other fiddlers play that tune, but no one else even comes close to Kenny Baker's sound; it's like a different song in his hands. It's HIS tune.

I really do love this simple bluegrass front-porch video -- it seems, to me, to be "honest". What do others think? Am I getting close, Xris, or am I way off base?

I note that this vid won't embed so you have to click on the underlined "watch on youtube" in the middle of the screen which appears after you click the big arrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpzoLAwZ-gs

rebecca

Right on my ansome, magic...thanks for a certain reality.

I cant imagine a common theme in music but only the rhythm of nature. We all love the cry of the wolf, the song of a bird. Even haunting man mad sounds like the distant whistle blowing. Music and its rhythm is our common quest. I listened to six young men while holidaying in Croatia sing their country songs from midnight till sun up. That was magic. You need magic.

Firstly thank you for your offering, music gets me all religious and stuff.

The similaries of all music lead back to the beating of our hearts and first instrument. It quicksteps our pulse and saunters our senses. It is by far the most reaching and influential of all the art there ever was is and shall ever be. It is manifestation of the soul sound. It is language of heart.

All that I quote ' ' i give here can be found on YouTube, i just dont know how to do that thing you do that gets it here else i would, dont be lazy, music changes your life. Changes you, it is atmosphere.

Adiemus; is Afican in scope, to start with; 'Lady Smith Black Mombazo' as a reference. This takes me to 'Peter Gabriel, Biko' and something in this, in me is altered.
It then goes swiftly on to what i hear as 'Joik' scale (once banned as devil music), it sings the wind, comparative Amerind chanting, 'Mari Boine Gulan Du' and also 'Mari Boine, Butterfly', Joik (pronounced with a Y) Sings the essence of the subject.

Song of Spirits; if you from Texas and those other Southern climes you like your strings and adventure, plucking along the way, essentially Mexican and or Spanish. 'Wagon Wheel, Old Crow Medicine Show', has roots in the Yoldle, 'Arizona Smoke Revue' any and likely all, 'Carolina Chocolate Drops, Cornbread and Butterbeans' leads you back to Gone Carolina.

Stella Natalis; beginning is Asian particularly Chinese,
'The Beauty Song', 'Dishwallo- opaline/ House of Flying Daggers Fanvid' And we see how close Asian and Indian are together.
'House of Flying Daggers Lovers Flower Garden' (back to Adiemus)
'House of Flying Daggers/ Lovers 3' See how by the end of this one you are watching with your ears.
Get this Soundtrack 'H.O.F.D', you wont regret it.
Its all about the drums and the sung said sylable.

If you are at all interested in the inner workings of the orchestra and musics emotional concept at all, and just want some fun, try and find a dvd or it may on YouTube, Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra. He is highly funny and informative.

And the Joik is from the Saami people, Norwegian and is highly beautiful, some of the songs and interpretations of Joik dont even use words, it is sound and the voice used as instrument.