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For this week's episode of Songs With Stories, we sent an email all the way to Ukraine. Why? Well, mainly because one of today's most interesting dark jazz acts resides there, in the city of Dnipropetrovsk to be exact. I've been listening to Gamardah Fungus a lot in the past few months and I really wanted to know about their influences. So I gave them the chance to join our Songs With Stories series, and I received these great tracks back.
It was very difficult to pick out just five tracks that are more important than others, especially because we listen to a lot of music. But we tried here. These five compositions don’t represent the full range of our musical preferences, but we’ve chose them because somehow they had a definite influence on our music.
Igor Yalivec:
Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 5
For years it is my most favorite musical composition, that I met while was a student. My English teacher advised me to listen to Mahler when knew, that I love ambient. It was very strange advice, but it came right on target. Since then, his music is strongly influenced me. And in this symphony I found all the things I love in his oeuvres - splendor, power and elegance, inspiring, invigorate beauty and emotional explosion that is often necessary for creativity. I was inspired by it while working with Gamardah Fungus album «Night Walk With Me» in 2013.
For years it is my most favorite musical composition, that I met while was a student. My English teacher advised me to listen to Mahler when knew, that I love ambient. It was very strange advice, but it came right on target. Since then, his music is strongly influenced me. And in this symphony I found all the things I love in his oeuvres - splendor, power and elegance, inspiring, invigorate beauty and emotional explosion that is often necessary for creativity. I was inspired by it while working with Gamardah Fungus album «Night Walk With Me» in 2013.
Valentin Silvestrov - World Of Peace
This is, without exaggeration, the shortest and the most stunning song I ever heard! And it is composed by one of the most talented living contemporary composers in the world - Ukrainian Valentin Silvestrov! I’m in love with his music a long time, but only in 2012 I’ve heard his «Sacred Songs» CD, when it was released on ECM label. A friend of mine bought it during his trip to Germany and brought it to me as a gift. It was fabulous! I like all that songs, but «World Of Peace» most deeply touched my soul - really sacred, pathetic and beautiful composition, that brings you a solid emotional catharsis and appeasement.
This is, without exaggeration, the shortest and the most stunning song I ever heard! And it is composed by one of the most talented living contemporary composers in the world - Ukrainian Valentin Silvestrov! I’m in love with his music a long time, but only in 2012 I’ve heard his «Sacred Songs» CD, when it was released on ECM label. A friend of mine bought it during his trip to Germany and brought it to me as a gift. It was fabulous! I like all that songs, but «World Of Peace» most deeply touched my soul - really sacred, pathetic and beautiful composition, that brings you a solid emotional catharsis and appeasement.
Morton Feldman - Rothko Chapel
I think, this Feldman’s work is one of the most powerful and emotionally profound, and without a doubt cooler and more interesting than all ambient in the world. And it is especially impressive, if you (same as me) a fan of "multiform" paintings by Mark Rothko. Actually, thanks to modern art, I became acquainted with Feldman’s music in during student years. My friend, a fan of modern art, advised me to listen to his “Chapel” when we were at the exhibition of abstract expressionism. I remember how I listened to a ton of Feldman's music about a week. It was like a diving into nirvana. He impressed me with chromatic minimalism, meditative iteration and precise pauses in his compositions and some special zen atmosphere in this opus. All of this I really appreciate in music today.
I think, this Feldman’s work is one of the most powerful and emotionally profound, and without a doubt cooler and more interesting than all ambient in the world. And it is especially impressive, if you (same as me) a fan of "multiform" paintings by Mark Rothko. Actually, thanks to modern art, I became acquainted with Feldman’s music in during student years. My friend, a fan of modern art, advised me to listen to his “Chapel” when we were at the exhibition of abstract expressionism. I remember how I listened to a ton of Feldman's music about a week. It was like a diving into nirvana. He impressed me with chromatic minimalism, meditative iteration and precise pauses in his compositions and some special zen atmosphere in this opus. All of this I really appreciate in music today.
Sergey Yagoda:
Krzysztof Penderecki - Threnody For The Victims Of Hiroshima
It is a musical composition for 52 string instruments, that was composed by maestro in 1960 and immediately made him famous. When I first heard it in 2005 on EMI Classics series CD, it seemed to me disturbing, expansive and ultimate. It immediately distracted me from everything and really forced to listen to itself. I fell in love with it and after many times of listening I can exactly say that this music can immerse you in the limitless expanse of your inner universe. Many times it inspired me to unusual musical solutions, new ideas, experiments, etc.
It is a musical composition for 52 string instruments, that was composed by maestro in 1960 and immediately made him famous. When I first heard it in 2005 on EMI Classics series CD, it seemed to me disturbing, expansive and ultimate. It immediately distracted me from everything and really forced to listen to itself. I fell in love with it and after many times of listening I can exactly say that this music can immerse you in the limitless expanse of your inner universe. Many times it inspired me to unusual musical solutions, new ideas, experiments, etc.
Fantômas - Delirium Cordia
I love Mike Patton’s music very much. And most of all I like this project. In 2003, when this one track album was released, I worked in one record store (where, by the way, we met with Igor). It was the apotheosis. Mike Patton in his projects (especially Mr. Bungle and Fantômas) makes music that should be studied in music lessons at schools. It’s a pure madness, free energy and professionalism. There are no limits in thinking, ideas about how it should be, or tabu. I listened to this CD a hundred times. It was great time of new ideas, wishes and ideals. At about the same time with Igor we decided to make our joint musical project.
I love Mike Patton’s music very much. And most of all I like this project. In 2003, when this one track album was released, I worked in one record store (where, by the way, we met with Igor). It was the apotheosis. Mike Patton in his projects (especially Mr. Bungle and Fantômas) makes music that should be studied in music lessons at schools. It’s a pure madness, free energy and professionalism. There are no limits in thinking, ideas about how it should be, or tabu. I listened to this CD a hundred times. It was great time of new ideas, wishes and ideals. At about the same time with Igor we decided to make our joint musical project.
