Since the controversial book 'Orientalism' by Edward Said, the term 'Orientalism' is no longer a neutral term for the application of Eastern forms and characteristics in Western art and music, but a loaded term, which is inextricably linked to the arrogance with which the West has for centuries. would have approached the east. But despite such fierce criticism, the East has lost none of its ability
… to continue to fascinate. An example of this is the music of David Blake (1936), an English composer of the generation after Britten, who, however, unlike his contemporaries, had little interest in twelve-tone music and serialism and preferred to complete his studies with Hanns Eisler in East Germany. . Blake combined this connection with the tradition of social change and the role of music in it with a great love for Eastern themes. A good example of this is the here included seven-part cycle In praise of Krishna for soprano and orchestra from 1973. Blake has taken the text as the impetus for a melodious and sensual idiom, which fits exactly within the clichés of the critics of 'Orientalism'. One could therefore criticize the background of this music, but whether that helps much is the question, because this effective series of orchestral songs is well worth listening to and it is a good thing that a CD recording of it has now been released. is. (JvG) Blake has taken the text as the occasion for a melodious and sensual idiom, which fits exactly within the clichés of the critics of 'Orientalism'. One could therefore criticize the background of this music, but whether that helps much is the question, because this effective series of orchestral songs is well worth listening to and it is a good thing that a CD recording of it has now been released. is. (JvG) Blake has taken the text as the occasion for a melodious and sensual idiom, which fits exactly within the clichés of the critics of 'Orientalism'. One could therefore criticize the background of this music, but whether that helps much is the question, because this effective series of orchestral songs is well worth listening to and it is a good thing that a CD recording of it has now been released. is. (JvG)more
