Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Bells, drums, and stones are found among the earliest archeological founds of musical instruments. Since second millennium B.C.E. percussion instruments have been used in China in religious, court, and popular music. Pure percussion music soon followed. The percussion music of Thundering Dragon (with five hundred instruments in all, including bamboo, wood, bronze, iron, and elephant-foot drums, gongs with voices of winds, tigers, and dogs, and bells and rattles), which builds primarily on the traditional popular music of China, combines depiction of nature with humor and virtuosity.

The musicians of the Mallik family have for many generations been masters of the dhrupad style, the oldest form of North Indian art song. In India they are famous for their own rhythmically accentuated singing style and the rich repertoire of compositions, some using ragas that are sung only by their family. Because of the demands that the dhrupad places on the voice, it is usually sung by several singers at once. In India they say that the strength of four elephants is required to develop it fully. Bidur Mallik and his sons, Ramkuma and Premkumar, were fortunate enough for a time to be the ensemble that came closest to this standard.

Sierra Maestra - named for Cuba's highest mountain - is one of the best-known and no doubt also one of the best Cuban bands, which specializes in "genuine" Cuban music, the son autentico. The particular strength of this group also distinguishes it's personal style: all of the instrumentalists are also outstanding singers; for example, Maceito, also known as Jos� Antonio Rodriquez, the band's lead singer, is one of Cuba's most famous son singers today. Sierra Maestra is among the best son, or salsa, bands in the Spanish Caribbean.

As late as the 1960s the cheerfully elated rhythms of mento would be found at every village festival. In the age of modern and Afro-American pop music, however, the most important and oldest folk tradition of Jamaica - which developed from the displaced Africans' contact with European music - has fallen increasingly into the shadows. With violin, banjo, guitar, and rumba box this famous Jamaican group presents a piquant potpourri of mentos, folk tunes, religious songs, and American hits. The songs are not infrequently lewd, and they treat daily life with humor and satire.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music