The value of cultural enrichment
Cultural Enrichment 24/01/22
The cultural enrichment of diversity is reflected throughout varying art forms in different communities and indeed across the world.
My love of music is pretty obvious by now: not just jazz music, but many different activities which I have been fortunate enough to witness and enjoy. I was a member of the Lewisham Choral Society for a few years and was so thrilled to have taken part in a wide selection of choral pieces. I think my two favourites were ‘Faure’s Requiem’ and Elgar’s ‘Dream of Gerontius’. The soaring mass of wonderfully blended voices and the poignant, painful beauty of the solos make me shiver every time. I’m not as familiar with opera productions. When I took my Mum to see Madame Butterfly, she spent half the evening dabbing at her eyes behind her glasses at the beauty of it all.
Even though we were brought up against a background of jazz at home, we were also encouraged to appreciate other styles of music and other cultural art forms on TV. We watched the Bolshoi Ballet and a lot of performances on the BBC Proms. Although I must admit to feeling rather uncomfortable watching the last night of the Proms: that’s a discussion for another day.
I have not seen much live ballet but enjoyed seeing Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake on one occasion as a Christmas treat as well as a few other much loved productions. Years ago my sister and I saw the Dance Theater of Harlem at Sadlers Wells. We wore our best clothes for the occasion, in the hope that other audience members might think that we were two dancers having a night off! I have enjoyed some very talented modern dance companies based in London, namely: ‘Samsakara’, led and choregraphed by Lanre Maleolu and another group called ‘Boy Blue’ among others.
Urban music which has arisen in London over the years exemplifies the mix of myriad cultures represented here, one instance being Bhangra music. Bhangra is a mix of Punjabi beats, music and lyrics, fused with UK Pop, Reggae, RnB and Soul, which developed and emerged over decades of immigration.
Classical music and jazz have often worked together over many years: a huge subject worthy of research. The African -American singer Nina Simone was initially trained in classical music. During those times, it was unheard of that she would ever be admitted into the classical music world as a professional. If you listen carefully to her song: ‘Love Me or Leave Me’, her improvised piano solo in distinctly similar mode to some of Bach’s music. The way she incorporates it into the song is natural, her classical background as part of her being and her musicianship. Jazz improvisation is a wonderfully skilled example of instant creativity.
Incidentally, talking of musicianship I must tell you that my daughter’s first Pop single came out today on various platforms, including Spotify. Her professional name is Natalee Corbett, the song: ‘Hold You Tight.’ In the past she has sung with various bands: jazz and otherwise and written loads of songs, but this is her first effort at Pop music. Fingers crossed.
As you probably know, Day One of Lewisham as London’s Borough of Culture 2022 kicks off this Friday, 28th January. I put out a request on Facebook last year for someone to teach me Stormzy’s ‘Vossi Bop’ dance moves but nobody responded. The IRIE Dance Theatre have kindly choreographed a special dance for Lewisham, which will be accompanied by the Midi Music Company and will be taking place in schools across the borough. It’s called the LBoC BOP. One can learn the dance steps on YouTube and be ready to join in any of the events at midday on Friday. I think I might have a go…
Leaving you now, guys and gals, it’s time to start practising! Anna x
The cultural enrichment of diversity is reflected throughout varying art forms in different communities and indeed across the world.
My love of music is pretty obvious by now: not just jazz music, but many different activities which I have been fortunate enough to witness and enjoy. I was a member of the Lewisham Choral Society for a few years and was so thrilled to have taken part in a wide selection of choral pieces. I think my two favourites were ‘Faure’s Requiem’ and Elgar’s ‘Dream of Gerontius’. The soaring mass of wonderfully blended voices and the poignant, painful beauty of the solos make me shiver every time. I’m not as familiar with opera productions. When I took my Mum to see Madame Butterfly, she spent half the evening dabbing at her eyes behind her glasses at the beauty of it all.
Even though we were brought up against a background of jazz at home, we were also encouraged to appreciate other styles of music and other cultural art forms on TV. We watched the Bolshoi Ballet and a lot of performances on the BBC Proms. Although I must admit to feeling rather uncomfortable watching the last night of the Proms: that’s a discussion for another day.
I have not seen much live ballet but enjoyed seeing Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake on one occasion as a Christmas treat as well as a few other much loved productions. Years ago my sister and I saw the Dance Theater of Harlem at Sadlers Wells. We wore our best clothes for the occasion, in the hope that other audience members might think that we were two dancers having a night off! I have enjoyed some very talented modern dance companies based in London, namely: ‘Samsakara’, led and choregraphed by Lanre Maleolu and another group called ‘Boy Blue’ among others.
Urban music which has arisen in London over the years exemplifies the mix of myriad cultures represented here, one instance being Bhangra music. Bhangra is a mix of Punjabi beats, music and lyrics, fused with UK Pop, Reggae, RnB and Soul, which developed and emerged over decades of immigration.
Classical music and jazz have often worked together over many years: a huge subject worthy of research. The African -American singer Nina Simone was initially trained in classical music. During those times, it was unheard of that she would ever be admitted into the classical music world as a professional. If you listen carefully to her song: ‘Love Me or Leave Me’, her improvised piano solo in distinctly similar mode to some of Bach’s music. The way she incorporates it into the song is natural, her classical background as part of her being and her musicianship. Jazz improvisation is a wonderfully skilled example of instant creativity.
Incidentally, talking of musicianship I must tell you that my daughter’s first Pop single came out today on various platforms, including Spotify. Her professional name is Natalee Corbett, the song: ‘Hold You Tight.’ In the past she has sung with various bands: jazz and otherwise and written loads of songs, but this is her first effort at Pop music. Fingers crossed.
As you probably know, Day One of Lewisham as London’s Borough of Culture 2022 kicks off this Friday, 28th January. I put out a request on Facebook last year for someone to teach me Stormzy’s ‘Vossi Bop’ dance moves but nobody responded. The IRIE Dance Theatre have kindly choreographed a special dance for Lewisham, which will be accompanied by the Midi Music Company and will be taking place in schools across the borough. It’s called the LBoC BOP. One can learn the dance steps on YouTube and be ready to join in any of the events at midday on Friday. I think I might have a go…
Leaving you now, guys and gals, it’s time to start practising! Anna x
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