Aug 3, 2024
seen from China
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Two seated musicians in Canton (Guangzhou), Kwangtung (Guangdong) province in 1869. They are holding string instruments, one of which is a yueqin. Photograph by pioneering Scottish photographer, geographer, and traveller, John Thomson (1837-1921). This is one of a collection of original (mainly glass) negatives made by Thomson between 1868 and 1872. Wellcome Library no. 19618i
Summary from the Wellcome Collection:
Both instruments were originally from Central Asia. They have been present in popular local singing performances throughout southern China, especially in Guangdong and Hong Kong, since the 19th century. Such performances were seen in a wide range of venues, from brothels to the homes of the elite, and they were always performed by blind musicians. In addition to traditional themes, the musicians often provided improvisations on current affairs and local life. These two musicians were hired for festival celebrations. As Thomson observed, wandering minstrels were a Chinese institution: in most cases the musician was blind, but might be accompanied by a sing-song girl, who tuned his lute and sang simple ballads to his music
Source: Wellcome Collection
Stevie Wonder and Pendergrass with friends/fans.
The 25 Most Influential Blind Pianists and Musicians - Famous blind piano players on our blog. Learn the most famous blind pianists.
Rock Hendricks and Billy Perry
Rock Hendricks and Billy Perry
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-kxmbb-b015d6
A talk with sax great Rock and Billy perry about blind musicians. Music was in Rock’s blood from the day he was born. In fact, Rock was born with a rare congenital eye disease rendering him virtually blind. As he came to rely solely on his hearing , his was instantly drawn to the beautiful, sweet tone of the sax. When asked why Rock chose…
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Friedrich Ludwig Dülon (1768-1826)
Today, while trying to find the word for someone who builds and/or repairs flutes for a living (research for Violins and Violets), I found something really interesting on Wikipedia!
Friedrich Ludwig Dülon was a German flautist and composer of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. One of the first musicians to be considered Gifted on the flute, he was blind, and played by ear. Taking music lessons from his father, and from Johann Karl Anderson, he composed his first minuet at 9, and toured Europe with his father and sister.
His friends included Karl Benda (son of Franz Benda, the Czech violinist), Johann Georg Tromlitz, Johann Philipp Kirnberger, and Johann Friedrich Reinhart. It’s been speculated he inspired the character Tamino in “The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whom he met twice.
Though Dülon was one of the most well-known and successful musicians of the classical era--particularly as a flautist--this is actually the first time I’ve heard of him. However, I’m really intrigued by his life-story, and to read more about him.
Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_D%C3%BClon
The Blind Dülon and his Magic Flute (John A Rice, OUP 1990): https://sites.google.com/site/johnaricecv/the-blind-duelon-and-his-magic-flute This is a link to the abstract of the article; the full article is available in a link at the bottom; its access is restricted, but if you’re a university student, you may be able to log in via your institution and access it that way!
The blind musicians - Daniel Vazquez Diaz , 1921
Spanish, 1882 - 1969
Oil on canvas , 133 x 180 cm
Museo Reina Sofia, Spain
Music Stars Pay Tribute to Stevie Wonder
http://beyoncemag.nonissue.com/2015/02/11/music-stars-pay-tribute-to-stevie-wonder/ - #Beyonce
Music Stars Pay Tribute to Stevie Wonder
Reigning stars of the music world, from Beyonce to Tony Bennett to Pharrell Williams, on Tuesday saluted Stevie Wonder, the singer, songwriter and musician they called a genius and inspiration t…