Posted by Ludwig Van Beethoven
Here’s Glenn. There’s not a lot to say after that. Such a fascinating character. Such a great musician. And the thing about him that makes him so unique isn’t as much his personality as his distinct style. There are many great pianists today: Martha Argerich, Lang Lang (according to some), among others. But the most identifiable, the minute the fingers touch upon the keys, the cleanest, clearest, lightest fingering—ah yes, that belongs to Glenn Gould.
An ending that came way too soon. Did he curse that dying of the light? Did he fight to sing again? From Shakespeare: If music be the food of love, play on…
Sing on, Freddie, let those magic vocals reverberate throughout the Universe.
And may we be able to hear them.
Here is the most wonderful actor and best Sherlock Holmes ever! And I do not say that lightly. In fact, the most recent series, and a delightful contemporary version of Sherlock Holmes, has come to define Cumberbatch and Holmes! The modern version of Sherlock was a reboot presented by the BBC in 2010, wherein Cumberbatch became a celebrity of amazing proportions. He has gained an obsessive fan base that has earned him the title of “the internet’s boyfriend.” And, I have just read where his followers are called “Cumberbitches.” I love it.
Posted by For Reading Addicts
In
searching we so often come across that something else of interest. This has gotten me days of research, poems, notes for fiction, and just plain enjoyment. September adds the walks in the woods, the dog romps, and the dreams of other days. And of course, new books to buy. And old ones to pause through. In books where I’ve made notes or started whole conversations, I often reply to myself or do indeed take note. Somethings I need to relearn. Others remind me where I once lived in my mind and how far away from that state of being I have become.
And then here I am once more, in the light of golden days.
A Direct Lift From Classic FM—Algorithm by Clarallel and Kai Konishi-Dukes
Ever wondered what your name would sound like as a musical motif? You can now find out using Clarallel, an algorithm that reveals your musical cipher.
Musical ciphers (which are means of transforming text, usually a name, into a musical motif using logical relations between letters and pitches) have been used by Western composers for centuries. Even though Western musical notation uses letters for pitch names, this only works for the letters A to G. Therefore, in the past composers have struggled to find a logical method for the other letters.
For example, in one piece, the composer Robert Schumann created a melody out of his wife Clara’s name. The letters C-l-a-r-a became C(#)BAG(#)A. For the letters c and a, Schumann used the logical pitches C(#) and A. For the letters l and r, he simply assigned the pitches B and G(#), as they make melodic sense of the surrounding pitches.
Kai Konishi-Dukes has developed an algorithm building upon the above method which turns your name, or anything else you write in the box, into a little musical ditty. He’s called it Clarallel.
Above is C-l-a-s-s-i-c-F-M in a minor key, then in a major key. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
The algorithm is powerful, but at this stage it can only transform letters into a short melody. However, when you couple Clarallel with the human hand and ear, you can create an extended composition:
What does your name sound like? Give it a go here.
By Amy MacKenzie
Writers Ink—Writing and Stuff 