I AM

" I am different: I am what has never been before: I am the first ray of a new sun: I am the anti-thesis to narrow minds, yet neither am I the sort of liberal that scoffs at history and culture: I am today, and also the day after tomorrow.

I am the one who dislikes being just ordinary: I have looked into myself and found that I am nobody's slave: I am not lost because I trust the road I walk: I am not limited because I see no boundary: I have found that I am unchained, unshackled.

I am free... and I know it."

Huthuka Chishi

DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY

I know that it is much delayed but the PX100 review will need a few more days before I can wrap it up conclusively. The reason is two fold- firstly the sound seems to be changing, though subtly, so I need it to settle reasonably . Secondly I have been trying to get my hands on some rather professional grade test tracks. But expect it to be done in a few more days.

With that put aside, let me come to the subject of today's post- classical music. Not the whole synopsis of course!
I am an omnivore when it comes to music; anything from children of Bodom to U2 and Duke Ellington works for me. But for a serious session of listening I always go to classical or Jazz. The amount of detail and meat you find in these two genres lack parallel in others( I am saying this at the risk of sounding provocative and controversial).

So there's this particular piece by Tchaikovsky called 'Dance of the sugar plum fairy', that I was listening to the other day. It figures quite prominently on my Ipod's 'Classical' playlist and so of course I've heard it before. But this time I paid close attention to it and came to a very disturbing conclusion: it's beguilingly innocent title hides a very macabre quality!

The whole construct of the piece rings with a sinister and eerie quality. Now, don't call me schizophrenic, but after some substantial listening I am led to say it. This of course is my personal conclusion. That's not to say that Tchaikovsky was a weirdo, or to take it to another level, that there is a conspiracy afoot. I instead feel that this is a perfect example of music's subliminal capabilities. In the hands of a master like Tchaikovsky notes and structures become complex constructs that develop a multi-level quality.

As I listened to the piece the mental picture of a sweet looking fairy prancing on window sills changed into something quite different. Think horror flicks like ' The tooth fairy'... Tchaikovsky seemed to project something that, despite the folk storyish connotations of goodness and innocence, is equally sinister because of it's most compelling quality- it's mysteriousness. The fairy is really an unknown, or even unknowable, entity and thus one cannot be utterly sure about its intent and motives.

As the score weaves through the most eerily beautiful chords I began to imagine a beguilingly beautiful being rising and falling in hypnotizing rhythm in a misty and swampy forest: Its beauty at odds with an equally scary quality. Who knows whether the sweet fairy dances to delight and rescue the lost traveler, or to ensnare him further in magic and nightmares...

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=HSQ3ZRmkmy4

Picture credit goes to www.nihilmedia.com