Tiki Music Defined - Tiki Music

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Sun, Apr 4, 2010 8:51 AM On 2010-04-02 09:52, ikitnrev wrote: Maybe exotica is a bit unusual in that it allows for a wide range of expression - from the frantic flurry of the tribal drums pounding in unison, to the soft sounds of someone blowing a conch shell way off in the distance. One thing I almost mentioned in my above post, but did not, was that classical music is definitely one genre that does allow for a wide range of musical expressions in a single piece - and thus it was nice to see Lucas follow-up with his examples of proto-exotica classical. So much of classical music was the pre-movie/pre-television form of a soundtrack. So many stories - fairy tales, historical pieces, etc. were told in a rich and dynamic orchestral format. The audience members were likely already very familiar with the stories, so the music truly accompanied whatever imagery they might already have in there mind. However, orchestras and opera required large numbers of musicians, which required large halls and sources of funding, which evolved to the orchestra and opera being viewed as a place of formality - a venue where you would wear your best formal clothes -- the complete opposite of the relaxed imagery of sitting on a beach and wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Perhaps the real genius of Martin Denny was to downsize the size of the required ensembles, and develop suitable arrangements, so it would be easier to regularly perform in a night-club setting. The music wasn't heard live in a formal concert hall, nor in a recording studio. The orchestral soundtrack-like music was now presented live in a night-club, with drinks and cocktails flowing, where Hawaiian shirts could be worn -- and that was a wonderful combination. One thing I loved about the past performances of Robert Drasnin at several past Hukilau events, was that it did recreate - at least for one evening, that richer orchestral sound - and I am pleased that there are others who are carrying on this tradition. As for the influence of Jon Cage's prepared piano, it had a definite influence on the early work of duo-pianists Ferrante and Teicher. Some of my favorite LPs of the mid-50's are their prepared piano LPs (before they realized commercial success with their much less interesting 1960's work) Read more about their prepared piano work here ... http://www.spaceagepop.com/ferrante.htm Vern

On 2010-04-02 09:52, ikitnrev wrote:

Maybe exotica is a bit unusual in that it allows for a wide range of expression - from the frantic flurry of the tribal drums pounding in unison, to the soft sounds of someone blowing a conch shell way off in the distance.

One thing I almost mentioned in my above post, but did not, was that classical music is definitely one genre that does allow for a wide range of musical expressions in a single piece - and thus it was nice to see Lucas follow-up with his examples of proto-exotica classical.

So much of classical music was the pre-movie/pre-television form of a soundtrack. So many stories - fairy tales, historical pieces, etc. were told in a rich and dynamic orchestral format. The audience members were likely already very familiar with the stories, so the music truly accompanied whatever imagery they might already have in there mind.

However, orchestras and opera required large numbers of musicians, which required large halls and sources of funding, which evolved to the orchestra and opera being viewed as a place of formality - a venue where you would wear your best formal clothes -- the complete opposite of the relaxed imagery of sitting on a beach and wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

Perhaps the real genius of Martin Denny was to downsize the size of the required ensembles, and develop suitable arrangements, so it would be easier to regularly perform in a night-club setting. The music wasn't heard live in a formal concert hall, nor in a recording studio. The orchestral soundtrack-like music was now presented live in a night-club, with drinks and cocktails flowing, where Hawaiian shirts could be worn -- and that was a wonderful combination.

One thing I loved about the past performances of Robert Drasnin at several past Hukilau events, was that it did recreate - at least for one evening, that richer orchestral sound - and I am pleased that there are others who are carrying on this tradition.

As for the influence of Jon Cage's prepared piano, it had a definite influence on the early work of duo-pianists Ferrante and Teicher. Some of my favorite LPs of the mid-50's are their prepared piano LPs (before they realized commercial success with their much less interesting 1960's work)

Read more about their prepared piano work here ...
http://www.spaceagepop.com/ferrante.htm

Vern

Post #521917 by ikitnrev on Sun, Apr 4, 2010 8:51 AM

One thing I loved about the past performances of Robert Drasnin at several past Hukilau events, was that it did recreate - at least for one evening, that richer orchestral sound - and I am pleased that there are others who are carrying on this tradition.