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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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