music of the 16th century

what does the music of the 16th century sounds like?

That is exactly what I wanted to find out for myself when I attended the performance by a vocal chamber ensemble. You wonder how that term comes about, but indeed, the nature of the performance includes a chamber setting and purely vocals... the soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

They introduced 8 numbers which were revived by the printing technique (carving on wood), the oldest dated back to 1440, the earlier times before the copper engraving technique.

So what does 16th century chansons sounds like? For an instant, I thought I was in a church listening to the church choir but pay attention to the lyrics, and you know they are not. They are close to what people called the secular music. Words of love and life filled the lyrics and probably that's how joie de vivre comes about for the French.

Pierre Certon's (c.1515-1572) "La, la, la, je ne l'ose dire" is a light and rhythmic number on the gossiping of a man's unfaithful wife. Antoine de Bertrand's (fl. 1561-1582) "Holà, Caron" is an interesting one, a dialogue between Charon (in Greek mythology, the ferryman of the dead) and a soul who claimed to have died of love. And what did Charon told the poor soul? "Seek another boatman, for neither I nor the Fates would ever enroach on the grand master of heaven."

"Le Chant des Oiseaux" (Clément Janquin - c.1485-15558) last is a piece which imitates sounds of birds... triggering laughter from the audience.

For more on French Chansons in the 16th Century-> http://www.hoasm.org/IVI/IVIFrenchChanson.html


History itself does not interest me, but the feeling of revelation from it has cast a spell on me.

a walk in the museum

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." — Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Don't be mistaken. I am neither an art enthusiast (one who considered himself ostentatiously artistic) by birth, nature or nurture.

I relate much better to music and some forms of dance but seldom do I get appealed by visual art forms (not denying that music and dance are considered art cast in different bodies) .

I can just hardly shake off my association with the arts. I seem to bump into them everywhere by coincidence or rather, by chains of connections.

That said, I do not go to see arts for its sake.

Fact has it that I happened to be at the museum recently. Till then, it was dubious if the subject of art would interest me.

We marvel at the mentions of "Louvre" and "Mona Lisa". Yet the moment you step into the gallery, your attention is drawn to that of a print originally painted by Pierre Mignard (1612-1695).
The piece resembles the reflection in a well, suggesting both literal and hidden depth, and mystery. It is in the shape of a dome, with intricate details of followers, beings and the ones being looked upon... suggesting the hope, trail or relationship of the living to heaven. Or is the way I interpret it. There is an air of serenity, faith and religion which lingers beyond the frame of the piece, as though it's a physical sphere suspended in the air. I admit that appropriate lighting on it can create such illusions.

Today, the circular fresco which dated back to 1663, still proudly adorned the interior ceiling of Val- de- Grâce in Paris.

In ancient french art, there were countless symbolic and architecture paintings. For instance, the Gallic cock or rooster, a national symbol of France. " Its association with France is due to the play on words in Latin between Gallus, meaning an inhabitant of Gaul, and gallus meaning rooster, or cock." ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_rooster).

The symbol was commonly worn by the kings and knights in their armours, riding on their lavishly ornamented carousel horses. That also explains the meaning behind the presence of eagles and other animals in the prints, which personify the history and war. These are evident in those depicting the fountains, or was it just what it was said; only illustrations of aesop's fables.

Prints of Château deVersailles, le jardin des Tuileries, portraits of history, war, religion, the royalty, were scattered across the galleries. There were divided parts of a bigger print, such as the map of Paris and the print on the zodiacs. Fascinating and provoking prints illustrating the likeness and comparison of the human face to that of a lion, monkey, goat, etc. Prints reflecting the back and front view, panoramic and proximate view of the same object at different angles.

Art of the ancient centuries are really detailed and what we called fine art. Painting it so well was already a remarkable feat, imagine the work involved in engraving the painting on copper plates, creating exactly the same image using only strokes and lines, and in the reverse orientation!

Chalcography is indeed a noble way to preserve art. What's more, almost all the prints shown at the exhibition are in black and white. That's art beyond colours.

Ancient art portrays the recurring images and messages of that of the sacred, or better described as divine. It feels like a Da Vinci quest in itself.

Walking through history has a healing effect, an impact on oneself.

fête de la musique

Celebrate June 21st, fête de la musique otherwise known as World Music Day. It is an occasion not only limited to the French but to all lovers of music. This day is filled with festivities all around the world except that it is less common to commemorate this day in our hometown, Singapore.

It comes to us in later month in the name of WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance).

Nevertheless, there were bound to be small communities scattered all around here celebrating the spirit of June 21st! It is in its 25th year this time. the festival originated in France on 'the day of summer solstice, a pagan night which recalls the ancient tradition of Saint John's feasts' (http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr/). The occasion is typified by free performances of all genres and provided a welcome ground to the amateur musicians.

The French community in Singapore held a series of celebrations from the 21st to 23rd. There were performances from the non-french groups as well as karaoke singing in French, lounge music and concert put up by the french band, Le Groupe.

Thumbs up for the rock band which has also performed at the Francophonie event earlier this year.

Being a non-habitual fan of rock music (only to certain likes of Linkin Park's and Evanascence's), what always impresses me about this band at all their performances are their zest and vigour, and making it feels like they are playing to a full house audience. They elevated the concert atmosphere and it is contagious. The audience gets high and really excited. And we never get enough of it. The lead singers, Hervé and Nathalie Ribette are simply commendable!

In this performance, besides the energetic beats of percussion and sounds of the electronic guitar and the vibrant vocalist, there was an inclusion of this rarely seen instrument - accordion.




Accordion is sometimes referred to as the squeezeboxes.

How can we not fall in love with the lovely sounds from this ancient aerophone? French traditional or country music is often characterised by le biniou, bombarde and accordion. So it's not hard to identify it.

Craving for some french café moments?


discover more about fête de la musique!

a day gone wrong

happiness has not forsaken us but we all have.

it was odd for a day meant to have many reasons for joy to turn out nasty.

I didn't feel anything has gone hay-wired until a friend reminded me. Her words didnt quite sink in until I sat myself down after a long day. Out of the blue, it struck on me how mean and unusual I had been that evening. And I didn't realise that until someone told me. Perhaps I knew but took it for granted. I couldn't control my emotions.

I felt I screwed up the night for everyone and those who should have mattered to me.

I couldn't even smile.

For once, for twice, I felt something up my throat and warm fuid welling up in my eyes but nothing else followed or that I wouldn't allow it to. I wasn't sad nor was I angry with anything or anyone. I just can't feel happiness in me.

I was perplexed that I didn't even know I was in a bad mood the whole time. I didn't feel it or know of its existence as if it has hidden itself away. When it came, it just hit like a bale of tears. Only that it didn't happen - I just felt a painful pang, a soreness in my heart.

So I was angry at myself for taking it out on others without realising it. It was most unkind.

I don't know if the bits of loss (of happiness) have built up to this or is it a totally different reason.

a weird thought came to me as to why people take their lives. it's not b'cos they want to end their lives but they just don't know how to live anymore.

bon voyage

Récemment, je disais au revoir plusieurs fois... à mes amis et à les gens qui sont partis à quelque part.

Ils sont partis ou vont partir aux mieux lieux où ils pourront faire que ils voudront.

Ce qui me rend triste. je suis en colère et jus suis déçue contre ma hésitation.

Je sais que je veux de faire mais je suis perdue.

C'est contradiction avec soi-même.

Si je sais qui me rend heureuse, pourquoi je ne le trouve pas facile pour suivre mon coeur?

Même si ma tête me dit d'y aller, mon coeur me dit de rester.

Quand je souhaiterai au départ à mon désir, je sentirai comme mon coeur sera mourir.

Je ne veux pas dire au revoir ou bon voyage.

Je veux continuer de la même facon que maintenant. Sans changement.

it feels wrong

it feels wrong when it just doesn't feel right.

nothing feels right unless it's something one feels strongly about, and not harbouring every possibility that things will have a turn somehow.

the lack of 100%, absence of certainty still linger.

feeling wrong but not thinking it's wrong.

just like the heart is not where the mind is. they don't belong together.

dilemma arises b'cos of this. a conflict of the logical and the irrational.

it feels wrong when we refuse to listen to our inner voice.

one friend told me to go with the flow. I wished I have such forthrightness.

I hate it when I say 'I wished', like a coward.

others told me to focus on what has been decided.

The idealist vs the pragmatic.

it's never in my faith to let dreams go. how can one be without dreams and faith?

people hold back their dreams thinking they can wait. but they don't.

I'm so scared of losing it. the drive and passion that I have now.

passion is like fire. like fire, it burns out easily if there's no wood to keep it burning.

another friend said the start is always fearful and doubtful but if we never try, we never know.

but if somewhere in our mind exists this other place where we ourselves know it'll be nice if not the best, should we still let it go?

let it go and follow the others whom can't promise the same?

making sense of it all

I like to be in control. Take the front seat in my life. Make my plans and achieve my ends.

A control freak, at the same time, a wanderer. One who roams his life with no obligations, no definite answers. Do as the heart wants to. At his freewill. Only think of short-term plans for future is uncertain and faraway.

For some time, it seemed I have been living like this. Relishing life at full colour. A choice I would have been happy and contented with.

If this is a form of escapism, I admit I am.

Until that tiny part of me told me to let go, to come out of my comfort zone. I have been living too comfortable, far too comfortable - with little to worry for. I have little material wealth to speak of but my comfort comes from my state of content. A level of content that some warned is dangerous. Nevertheless, a state of content I would say some people spent the rest of their lives without.

The carefree soul, the Jack Sparrow in us.

Like Jack, without a care, life is never about future. Like him, I have been driving on my little roadtrip and singing like a silly man.

Only I am not in a movie. I am here in a place where we are always reminded that nothing is ever enough, noone can ever be satisfied.

Boo. But that is reality.

I can come up with tonnes of reasoning not to follow reality but I am pathetic human... a being that succumbed too easily.

I have too given up an easy life to confront reality. If I say dreams can be postponed, that is a lie. Dreams don't wait as like life don't wait for anyone. Nothing waits.

The realist says: Wake up! Dreams are lies. Fantasies. Distractions from reality.

I am imprisoned in a bag of obligations. The stakes are high. Fate is sealed.

I am thrown into a rollercoaster ride, bound to my seat till my journey ends.