Classical Thursday

Today I present to you two wonderful pieces by early Baroque composers: Purcell and Buxtehude.

Each piece is a chaconne (English: chacony).

From Wikipedia: "A chaconne is a type of musical composition popular in the baroque era when it was much used as a vehicle for variation on a repeated short harmonic progression, often involving a fairly short repetitive bass-line (ground bass) which offered a compositional outline for variation, decoration, figuration and melodic invention..." Article Here.

Really nice stuff. I hope that you like them.

Purcell - Chacony in G minor, Z. 730



Buxtehude: Ciaconna en mi BuxWV 160

The most amazing Star Wars posters ever

I don't know where these are from, but I want them poster sized:

Corbin :: new sketch

So here's another sketch that I did last night.

Yeah it has been decided. Corbin will be an Edwardian scholar of the arcane and occult mysteries. He's a skeptic, but not in the sense that he doesn't BELIEVE that there are monsters that go "bump in the night". Rather, he believes that there is ALWAYS a rational, scientific explanation for the supernatural. His goal in life is to locate these mysteries, study them and prove that they are not from "beyond" but are natural things "of this world".

Also, to make things interesting, when Corbin was an infant he was going to be a victim of Lucy Westenra (from the tale of Dracula, when she was the ghostly "bloofer Lady" who fed on children). He was rescued at the last minute by the vampire hunters led by Van Helsing.

So he's been marked by "the other side". Interesting, yes?

Here is an image of him bemused by a vampire vixen's theatrics.

Corbin: a slight change of course

So I've decided, once again, to change my direction with my eventual Tales of Corbin.

Before he was to be some kind of esoteric illusionist traveling about some bizarre surrealistic world in search of experience. Or something.

Now THAT is an interesting challenge. But my desire to craft it has dwindled. I just can't seem to focus on any one thing lately.

Instead, now that it is autumn and my tastes turn to the more somber and gothic (being heavy in debt and mourning the death of summer helps a bit), I've decided to indulge in another possible course of action.

I am re-visioning Corbin as a gentlemanly scholar of the science and the arcane mysteries. Like many skeptics, his goals are to reveal the Truth about the shadowy parts of our world.

Just like the symbolic Eye of Enlightenment that the Masons associate with, Corbin sports the eye symbol as a pin on his bowler hat.



Also, he will wield an umbrella (with concealed sword cane). The base of the handle will be round and be stamped with an Elder Sign (protection against the servants of the horrors from beyond).

So yeah. Let's see how that goes. I really want to do a slightly campy story about a vampire in a small village.

The problem is that this has all been done before so many times. How on earth can I keep it interesting?

Best online radio for Classical

Go to Radio-Canada's website for EXCELLENT streaming radio of a huge variety of classical music.

Click here for a direct link to the streaming page.

I love Gothic... stuff

SO I was dusting off my copy of the Gormenghast Trilogy and was suddenly inspired to draw again.

Well, that wasn't the only thing that inspired me. Having a game of Arkham Horror, my favorite board game which happens to be tied in with my favorite horror writer (three guesses who that is), also contributed to this... sudden urge.

Well, also my admitted infatuation with old fashioned vampire tales and horror films from the 70s. Something about seductive dames exploring spooky old mansions while holding an ornate candelabra... I dunno. I love that stuff.

Anyways, I came up with the following quick and dirty thumbnail sketches. They depict a scene in which a pretty late Victorian lady is exploring her... occult tendencies. I plan on finishing this and making her more furtive... like she KNOWS that what she is doing is indecent and un-lady like. The twist, however, is that unlike typical Victorian sexist quasi-religious guilt about the intrinsic nature of womanhood, this time she's REALLY doing something that may be harmful to reality. To be specific, enacting rituals to awaken the Old Ones from their slumber. So hot.


Bonus: animated gif of a pretty girl in a somber setting

Classical Thursday

Hello!

Here is one of my favorites by Brahms. Very nice: a bit dramatic, though.



VADIM REPIN plays Concert for violin and Orchestra in D major Op. 77 by Brahms




BONUS TREAT
J. S. Bach - Sonata for Flute and Obbligato Harpsichord in E flat major

Animated GIF of joy!

Outside it may be pourin'
But inside I am... er... happenin'

Ugh.

Oh well I'm happy anyways.

Musical Thursday

This is my favorite song on the Arcade Fire's latest album, the Suburbs.

To me, this piece is a wonderful homage to a specific kind of nostalgia. I love it.

Arcade Fire - Suburban War

Animated GIF

I love the 60s. So do you!

Classical Thursday

Today I have two kick ass works by two of the greatest: Bach and Mozart.

These have a special place in my heart. Both works elevate my mind and emotions to a higher place, aiding me discard all of my troubles and anxieties. I really, really hope that you like them.

Fast and intense:
Bach - Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor BWV 1041 - 1/3

Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A Major KV581 - Mov. 2/4

Slow and relaxing:
Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A Major KV581 - Mov. 2/4