Blood on the Floor is a suite in nine movements composed for orchestra
and jazz trio by Mark-Anthony Turnage (pictured). It was composed
between 1993 and 1996, during which Turnage's brother died of a drug
overdose, causing drug culture to be one of its main themes. It is also
influenced by the paintings of Francis Bacon and Heather Betts; the
title is an adaptation of Bacon's Blood on Pavement. The composition has
been described as being part of the third stream genre and is written as
a concerto grosso featuring a blend of classical, jazz, non-western and
electronic instruments. It contains space for soloists to improvise in
four of its movements. The suite shows elements of non-functional
harmony and has complex rhythmic changes, often changing metre every
bar. Motifs recur throughout the work. It was premiered in London in May
1996, and received a mixed reception from critics. Some enjoyed the
suite's fusion of classical and jazz music, while others found it to be
an unfulfilling combination.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_on_the_Floor_%28Turnage%29>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1944:
The Admiralty Islands campaign during the Pacific War of World
War II began when American forces assaulted Los Negros Island, the
third largest of the Admiralty Islands.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_Islands_campaign>
1960:
The deadliest earthquake in Moroccan history (damaged building
pictured) struck the city of Agadir, killing at least 12,000 people.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Agadir_earthquake>
2004:
Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown
following popular rebel uprising.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Haitian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat>
2012:
Construction of Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower and
third-tallest structure, was completed.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Skytree>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
leap year:
1. A year in the Julian or Gregorian calendar with an intercalary day
added to February (in the Gregorian calendar, February 29), used to
adjust for the extra hours of the solar year; a 366-day year.
2. (loosely) Any other year featuring intercalation, such as a year in a
lunisolar calendar with 13 months instead of 12, used to maintain its
alignment with the seasons of the solar year.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/leap_year>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Religion's Meaning when I would recall, Love is to me the
plainest Word of all. Plainest, — because that what I love, or hate,
Shews me directly my internal State; By its own Consciousness is best
defin'd Which way the Heart within me stands inclin'd. On what it lets
its Inclination rest, To that its real Worship is address'd; Whatever
Forms or Ceremonies spring From Custom's Force, there lies the real
Thing; Jew, Turk or Christian be the Lover's Name, If same the Love,
Religion is the same.
--John Byrom
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Byrom>