Sonic Asymmetry

Mily Balakiriev: “Islamey”

ミリー・バラキリエフ「イスラミー」

TIME COMMITMENT: 8 minutes

Balakiriev, the guiding spirit behind the “Mighty Handful” grouping, leaves behind trancelike ribbons of extravagant, tribal neuroticism.  He never quite fulfilled the promise encapsulated in the hazy orientalism of this piece.  And yet, his influence was enduring, during the Empire and beyond, in Soviet periphery.  Just listen to Mustafa Zadeh’s smoky jazz piece in the second video.  Despite valid claims to mugham heritage, isn’t this Azeri artist’s work just another twist on Balakiriev pioneering work?

MUSIC

INFO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamey

A REFLECTION

For some we loved, the loveliest and the best

That from His vintage rolling Time hath pressed,

Have drunk the Cup a round or two before,

And one by one crept silently to rest.

Omar Khayyam: “For some we loved”