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ahinton
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« Reply #15 on: 06:34:01, 13-05-2007 » |
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There are those who say Eurovision has no class, Alistair. I contend that Eurovision has class it has never used  I am reminded of a certain composer's note to his piano piece Minimal Liszt (subtitled Étude de meditation transcendentale) which runs: Tho those who do not see this as an homage to Liszt,
I raise my glass;
However(,) those who see it as an homage to Glass
Go straight to the bottom of my Liszt.The words "the class" could arguably be substituted for "my Liszt" at the end of this in order to fit the present context. It should be remembered, however, that the piece itself was not intended to be taken seriously, still less performed in public (even by the composer, who is far better known as a pianist)... Anyway, why not counsel Ian for his view on Eurovision and "class"? I'm not entirely certain of the extent of his knowledge of Eurovisual history, but I have it on the best possible authority that he's an expert on "class"... Best, Alistair |
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #16 on: 09:32:42, 13-05-2007 » |
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Oops! Serbia it is and not Slovenia. I just caught the end to see who had won and didn't listen carefully enough. Then again, until I saw the winners again on breakfast TV this morning I had thought that the lead singer was a man, so it just shows what I know.  |
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smittims
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« Reply #17 on: 09:45:21, 13-05-2007 » |
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I enjoy watching all the songs being performed but then I go to bed.
I have no interest in finding out who 'wins' partly because I don't believe in competitions, but chiefly because the winner is never the best music,but always the one voted the winner for some political or tother extra-musical reason.
I thought the Serbian entry was one of the weakest, quite nondescript.The UK entry,though very poor this year,was no worse.
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IgnorantRockFan
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« Reply #18 on: 10:03:17, 13-05-2007 » |
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From a rock fan's point of view, all the best songs came from Eastern Europe. They still try to make real rock music over there while Western Europe is helplessly (hopelessly) in the grip of vapid dance music and cloned boy bands. Having said that, the winning song was pretty bland and the runner up was diabolical. These were my nominations at the half-way stage (after the performances, before the voting): Best singer: Slovenia Best-looking performer: Finland Best impression of The Sweet: Sweden Best overall entry: maybe Hungary, possibly Moldova Best use of instruments: tie between Bulgaria (drums) and Moldova (violin) Special "what the???" award: Ukraine Special "nil point again" award: United Kingdom Special award for worst use of folk instruments in a song: Eire Best part of the whole show: Apocalyptica (heavy metal 'cellos are cool  ) Wogan thinks it's a fix because nobody ever votes for the British entry. No, Terry, it's because they're always RUBBISH  Finland looks like a very beautiful place |
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Allegro, ma non tanto
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #19 on: 10:11:07, 13-05-2007 » |
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The UK entry was no better than an advertising jingle and it reinforced the stereotype that being an air steward is a camp job. But winning does depend, I think, on having the right friends and neighbours and not necessarily on being the best. Rather like real life.  |
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Ian Pace
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« Reply #20 on: 10:13:18, 13-05-2007 » |
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Anyway, why not counsel Ian for his view on Eurovision and "class"? I'm not entirely certain of the extent of his knowledge of Eurovisual history, but I have it on the best possible authority that he's an expert on "class"... There is one issue of class that is of relevance in the context of Eurovision - that of the owners of capital (the bourgeoisie) who sponsor the event, and in whose interests it is run. The website of one of the companies owned by members of the aforementioned bourgeoisie can be found here, whose titanium dental implants have been claimed to cause bone losses - see here for example. Another major sponsor of Eurovision is this company, who (like their rival Nordic company Nokia) have in recent years been engaging in lay-offs - see here. |
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« Last Edit: 10:25:11, 13-05-2007 by Ian Pace »
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'These acts of keeping politics out of music, however, do not prevent musicology from being a political act . . .they assure that every apolitical act assumes a greater political immediacy' - Philip Bohlman, 'Musicology as a Political Act'
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pim_derks
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« Reply #21 on: 10:40:40, 13-05-2007 » |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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ahinton
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« Reply #22 on: 12:18:20, 13-05-2007 » |
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Anyway, why not counsel Ian for his view on Eurovision and "class"? I'm not entirely certain of the extent of his knowledge of Eurovisual history, but I have it on the best possible authority that he's an expert on "class"... There is one issue of class that is of relevance in the context of Eurovision - that of the owners of capital (the bourgeoisie) who sponsor the event, and in whose interests it is run. The website of one of the companies owned by members of the aforementioned bourgeoisie can be found here, whose titanium dental implants have been claimed to cause bone losses - see here for example. Another major sponsor of Eurovision is this company, who (like their rival Nordic company Nokia) have in recent years been engaging in lay-offs - see here. I just knew that you couldn't resist!... Do you think that Nokia should perhaps consider going back to making wellies instead of laying off staff? Best, Alistair |
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #23 on: 13:37:24, 13-05-2007 » |
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...come the revolution... The thing there though, Alistair, is that whether we like the result or not, Serbia now has a duly democratically-elected Government - even the external observers (who included Jimmy Carter) were happy with the polling process. Work takes me to Belgrade and Novi Sad every so often, and it seems to me that the Serbs are entirely satisfied with their Government. |
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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ahinton
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« Reply #24 on: 13:41:56, 13-05-2007 » |
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...come the revolution... The thing there though, Alistair, is that whether we like the result or not, Serbia now has a duly democratically-elected Government - even the external observers (who included Jimmy Carter) were happy with the polling process. Work takes me to Belgrade and Novi Sad every so often, and it seems to me that the Serbs are entirely satisfied with their Government. Yes, but I was joking in my remark here, as surely you appreciated... Best, Alistair |
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #25 on: 13:49:26, 13-05-2007 » |
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I know. The sad thing is that purely objectively, the Serbs would be better off in the EU (I've seen the calculations - they'd qualify for squillions in grant-aid for infrastructure projects... road/rail/electricity/telephones... from which all would benefit). However, the present Govt is resolutely opposed on ideological grounds. The Philharmonia has shut-down completely, whilst most of the opera-house orchestra have emigrated in search of better work... the quality of the orchestra is really poor now.
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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MT Wessel
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« Reply #26 on: 13:51:09, 13-05-2007 » |
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lignum crucis arbour scientiae
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trained-pianist
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« Reply #27 on: 13:55:11, 13-05-2007 » |
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I have friends that go to Dubrovnic regularly. It is in Croatia. They say that croats are very satisfied with their government, dont want to give their criminals to Brussels and therefore are still not part of EU.
All my life I thought that Yogoslav people live in Yogoslavia and now such a shock.
My friends that go to Croatia are very nice people and what they say about how it is there does not sound very nice. Then again, when they came from Budapest in Hungary I had a feeling they are finished with Easter Europe for a while. I myself don't go there. It was enough to live there for 20 years. I should be ok even if I don't see my native country again.
I did not watch that euro thing anyway. I am a little tired of euro. Euro money are also tiring. There are good points to be in EU and bad points. We here have such an inflation while Germany and France are trying to recover. It is difficult to satisfy all country. But on the other hand one doesn't have to change money every time one goes somewhere.
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« Last Edit: 13:57:21, 13-05-2007 by trained-pianist »
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increpatio
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« Reply #28 on: 14:22:53, 13-05-2007 » |
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Have to say that I thought Ukraine had, hands down, the strongest act on the night. Evidently my judgement is a bit off, but still. I mean, Serbia did have a good singer, but the song was a bit characterless... .
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trained-pianist
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« Reply #29 on: 14:26:47, 13-05-2007 » |
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Russians sang in English language I was told. They don't even want to sing in their own language.
But then people from Sweden often sing in English. I don't really know if it is good or bad. Ukranian probably sang in their language, but i don't really know.
I did not listen because I have absolutely no interest in the songs and the whole proceedings.
The process irritates me and I don't watch it.
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