Saturday, May 27, 2006

The Fugue

After being in touch with different forms of music for quite some time, I have to mention that I really, really, really love fugues. In the hands of genius composers, their fugal compositions shine well above the rest of their works and never fail to amaze me. The complexity of the form seems to make the fugue fit for expressing the most profound of musical ideas.

I just got myself The Study Of Fugue by Alfred Mann. Well, I pretty much gave up after the first few pages. I realise I need a whole lot more knowledge of contrapuntal writing before I can start on this book which specialises in the fugue alone. Just thought an understanding of the fugue will aid me in my performance of those fugues which I most adore but I realise studying the fugue will take me on the most demanding musical journey. I'll take it easy for now, since I'm not much into composition, though I sure have a strong desire to find out how the whole form works.

Now, we shall see how it works out from here. Back to my practice for now...

Thursday, May 25, 2006

A Little Music In The Background

As I walk up the same path home in the drizzle today, I seem to be hearing some particular movements of Schubert's Winterreise at the back of my head. It's a strange feeling which no words can aptly express. And the walk definitely took a little longer than usual today...

Thursday, May 18, 2006

The Power Of Three

For these few weeks, 3 pieces have caught my attention. They're Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998 by J.S. Bach, Grand Overture by Mauro Giuliani and Granada from Suite Espanola by Isaac Albeniz. They aren't easy pieces and I wonder how long would it take for me to infuse all 3 masterpieces into my repertoire, given my busy schedule in the upcoming few months...

Don't you think it's just the most wonderful feeling when you can indulge yourself spiritually and emotionally in the most stunningly beautiful piece of music you have spent so much time and effort analysing and mastering?