Erik Satie Essays

Erik Satie Essays Erik Satie Essay Erik Satie Essay Before I became a leading figure of the French avant-garde, though, I was a simple boy that studied the beautiful piano. After I was born on May 17th, 1866, my family constantly moved around from Honfleur, a city located in Lower Normandy, to Paris, where I was primarily raised. At this time, the Wagnerian music model had already reached its zenith in Europe, but this meant nothing to me. After my mother unfortunately died when I was at the young age of six, I went to live with my grandparents back in my hometown. There, I began my first music lessons from Vinot, a local organist. Vinot was quite a kind fellow, and he introduced me to Gregorian plainsongs, which are monophonic religious chants from the Middle Ages. From dear Vinot’s teachings, I became very interested in medieval music, and I even incorporated some of these concepts to my later compositions. However, that was quite far away, for I was first forced to enter the Paris Conservatoire. In 1878, my father had remarried to Eugenie Barnetsche, a â€Å"musically gifted individual. † Of course, she was just another conservative musician that conformed to Wagnerism and other such musical forms. Because of her, my father sent me to the rigorous and old-fashioned Paris Conservatoire in 1879. I studied under the Mathias, Descombes, and Lavignac while I was there, but they weren’t exactly encouraging instructors. In fact, they were the ones who claimed that I was the â€Å"laziest student in the Conservatoire. † I even composed two songs there; one was called Valse-Ballet while the other was titled Fantaisie-Valse. However, all of those conservative professors called these compositions insignificant, laborious, and worthless. As a result, I was eventually expelled from the Paris Conservatoire in 1882, so I didn’t really receive a complete education. I didn’t mind, though, for that school was not to my liking anyway. After an unsuccessful entry into the French infantry- I had fallen ill with bronchitis- in 1886, I started my career of composition. In fact, just two years after I was discharged, I composed some of my most famous pieces, the Trois Gymnopedies. These pieces are a clear example of Vinot’s influence on my life, for the harmonies have a bit of Medieval music mixed in them. Around the same time, I composed Ogives (1886), Trois Sarabandes (1887), and Six Gnossiennes (1893), all of which began my career as a composer. My first three pieces leaned towards a more conservative style, although they did vary to some extent. For example, Ogives was based more upon gothic art, while Trois Sarabandes incorporated a solemn dance character. However, with Six Gnossiennes, I ultimately eliminated bar lines and time signatures from my work- until 1917, that is. In addition, I began to scribble in specific directions for the performer in my scores. For example, I liked to write things like â€Å"wonder about yourself† or â€Å"open your mind† to make whoever was performing to give the music some attitude! I mean, what is music without character and expression? During all of that time, I lived in a small apartment in Montmartre, mostly because I was so poor. But what do you expect from a musician like me? Other than composing various pieces, I also worked as a cafe pianist to get a regular income at Auberge du Clou, which is where I met Claude Debussy. He’s definitely a fine fellow, except for the fact that he claims that he is the father of modern music. Of course, we still became good friends, and we advised each other later on in our careers. In the following years, I began to come involved in religion. After meeting Josephin Peladan, the leader of the Rosicrucian (Rose et Croix) Order, I became the unofficial composer for the society, using my knowledge of medieval music and Gothic art to create a variety of religious pieces in the 1890s, such as Prelude pour la porte heroique du ciel and Messe des Pauvres. However, the Rosicrucians weren’t exactly the most interesting people. Thus, I created my own church and composed my own music, shunning the society around me and inspiring individuality. (I wonder why no one else joined it! That’s one thing I never comprehended. ) Although I became quite a familiar figure in the streets of Montmartre- especially because of my supposedly eccentric habits- I later moved to Arcueil, which is located in the Ile-de-France region of France, and became a cabaret pianist. From then on, I produced a few cafe songs and music hall pieces like Je te veux and Le Piccadilly. However, this period of my life was quite short-lived, for I then went on to complete my musical education. I simply could not deal with the constant criticism I was receiving, and I needed money to survive too! As a result, I enrolled in the Schola Cantorum de Paris at the age of 40. Even though I was surrounded by lads half my age, I still graduated with distinction. In contrast to what my teachers said at the Paris Conservatoire, the words â€Å"tres bien† were written on my diploma. After graduating from the conservative academy, I think my music became a little more rigorous and academic. However, being the eccentric man I was, I disliked conforming to regular behavior. As a result, from 1909 to 1914, all of my pieces were named beautifully and a lot differently from other mundane titles. For example, in 1912 I composed the piece Trois morceaux en forme de Poire (which literally means Three Pear-Shaped Pieces), and in 1913 I composed Embryons Desseches, which translates into Dried-Up Embryos. I also continued to write various instructions to the performer in my scores. Phrases like â€Å"to be jealous of one’s playmate who has a big head† and â€Å"the war song of the King of Beans† appeared throughout my music during that time, and I definitely take great pride in them. How else can one create successful and expressive music? Soon after, World War I was right around the corner, and my glorious days began to overwhelm me! Prior to WWI, various of my pieces began to be performed at various concerts. For example, French composer Maurice Ravel performed my Trois Sarabandes at the Societe Musicale Independante’s concert in 1911. Many of my works were finally published in the 1910’s as well, giving me a modest income. Then, with Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso, I composed Parade, a ballet that had a realistic setting and described anti-war sentiments. This was a huge breakthrough in my career, particularly because I was arrested afterwards after I sent an â€Å"impudent† postcard to one critic. I thought that it was simply outrageous, but I only had to endure the horrible conditions for eight days. After I was released, a new generation of composers and musicians began to gather around me! In fact, the Les Six proclaimed that I was their patron saint. After the composition of Parade, I didn’t really devote as much time to music as I did before. Recognition was surrounding me and cornering me from all sides, so what could I do? I composed a few Nocturnes as well as Socrate, one of my more celebrated pieces at the time. Finally, my career came to a close. Looking back at everything that has happened after I was expelled from the Paris Conservatoire, I think that my greatest accomplishment was undoubtedly the composition of Six Gnossiennes. Even though this piece was composed just years after I left the Paris Conservatoire, it set my career as an avant-garde into motion. Of course, Parade was the piece that gained me some recognition, and Trois Gymnopedies are my most famous pieces. However, Six Gnossiennes is the first successful piece of music. It doesn’t abide by anything that Wagnerism instructs, and it is so unique! In addition, that fellow Debussy can’t claim that he was the father of modern music with this piece, for I was able to sway him away from conforming to traditional using this piece as an example! Although I faced poverty all the way until World War I and other challenges (like getting arrested), my career as a phonometrician was sprinkled with successes from 1886 to 1920. Throughout this time period, I successfully challenged Romanticism and Wagnerism, bringing forth a new convention for music that still applies in the 21th century, even after my physical disappearance from this world. Looking at the world today, I have definitely served as an inspiration to many kinds of music. Bits and pieces of my brilliance seem to be everywhere! For example, my furniture music is still evident everywhere today! From the moment I spiritually wander into a store or a deli, I unconsciously hear some obscure background music. Being a forerunner to minimalism, I had experimented with this music, which is not supposed to be heard consciously, in my lifetime and it still survives to this day. Minimalism isn’t the only type of music I inspired, though. French Impressionism was a result of my teachings to Claude Debussy. After I forced Debussy into swaying away from conformity, I supported him as he continued down his route of impressionism- that is, until his music became conventional and mainstream. How can I support him when his music becomes like Wagnerism at the time of my birth? American Jazz and ragtime are also results of my eccentric music, for various elements of these types of music are in some of my compositions! My compositions also gave birth to some important musical trends, such as bitonality, polytonality, and non-triadic harmony. Brennan, Carol. Erik Satie Biography. 2010. 5 November 2010 . Classical Archives LLC. Composer: Erik Satie. 2008. 5 November 2010 . Furstner, Michael. Erik Satie. 2008. 5 November 2010 . Goldsmith, Kenneth. Flabby Preludes for a Dog: An Erik Satie Primer. 1997. 5 November 2010 . Minnesota Public Radio. Springtime in Paris: Erik Satie. 2005. 5 November 2010 . Solomon, Larry J. Satie, The First Modern. 2003. 5 November 2010 .

buy custom Participation Levels of Physical Activity in Australia essay

buy custom Participation Levels of Physical Activity in Australia essay A report by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) states that about two thirds of Australians who are15 years and over participate in at least one physical activity per year. The figures continue to show that in the recent past, the rate of participation has fallen from 66% to about 63%. The rate of men who participate in physical activities is higher that of women with the rates of 65% and 63% respectively. In addition, there is a likelihood that young people participate in physical activities more that the older ones. For example people who are between the ages of 15 and 17 years were reported to have had the highest rate of participation of 79% (Bauman Brown, 2002). People aged 65 and over has lower rate of participation of 48% when it came to participation of sport events or other physical activities The major areas where the rate of physical activity was high were in the Australian Capital and the Northern Territory. The two areas had rates of 77% and 72% respectively. Notably, thirty-six percent of the total population in Australia participates in at least one physical recreational activity. About 17% are said to have participated in at least two physical activities and about 11% participating in more than two physical activities. Some of the major physical activities that most Australians participates in include: walking exercises that makes about 23 %, gym, fitness and aerobics that makes about 14% as well a swimming and driving that makes about 7 %. The report further observes that women participates more in this physical activities than men. The most popular physical activity based from the report was walking for exercise. This is according to the survey conducted in 2005 and 2006. The statistics shows that low level of people participating in physical activity leads to development of ill-health. This leads to rise in mortality rate. People do not engage in sufficient physical activities as required by our bodies. This leads in development of risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes type 2, breast cancers, and osteoporosis among other disorders. Being actively involved in physical activities prevents overweight, high blood pressure as well as rise in the level of cholesterol in the body (Zimmet Salmon, 2003). Therefore, when people are involved in physical a healthy nation is build. The report by National Physical Activity Survey shows that there has been increasing rates of leisure time that is utilized in physical activities. This has been through the efforts made by health sectors to ensure that people are able to achieve optimum health (Cockburn, Adamson, 1999). It is recommended that a person should engage in at least 150 minutes per week physical activity that gives the moderate intensity in the recreational physical activities. However, some people engage in about five sessions per week. The data by National Physical Activity Survey in 2000 showed the following: about 54 percent of Australians who include over 7 million did not undertake sufficient recreational physical activities (Bauman Booth 1998). This is especially the people aged 18 to75 years. 15 percent who make about 2 million of the total population in Australia did not undertake any physical activity. They were said to be sedentary. Their leisure time was used for other activities oher than p hysical activities. The report shows that most men and women engage in physical activities for health benefits. Thus, the rate of men and women participation was almost equal. This ranged to about 46 % men and 45 % for women. The Active Australia Survey is a common criterion that is used to measure the level of participation into physical activities (Zimmet Salmon, 2003). Through the survey, people are also made to asses the required knowledge concerning the health messages that helps them to keep them with the current updates. Leisure time physical activity is also stressed during the survey. Public health sector is entitled to ensure that people engage in physical activities that will contribute to their well being. Thus, after the survey, the situation assessed gives an insight on what should be done to enlighten people. The survey shows that half of the total population in Australia participates in physical activities. Due to the efforts made by the public health sector, the rate of participation has risen to about 105 times for the past 12 months (Bath Morgan, 1998). Most of the physical activities that are participated are not formally organized. Thus, about 52 % of Australians organize their schedule and undertake their own physical activities. However, about 25 percent were said to have participated in formally organized physical activities. The number of men who participated in physical activities was said to have been high in comparison to the number of women. Moreover, the preferred areas that were used for physical activities were beaches, parks as well as the walking trails. About 58 % used these places to undertake their activities. In an interview conducted in 1999 to 2000 showed that about 55% of people aged 18 years and over participate actively in sports. This rate has been on the rise due to the fact that people have realized the need to involve themselves in physical activities for health benefits. In addition, the interview showed that males had a higher rate of participation than women. The rate of participation was high for the age between 18 and 24. This was about 74%. However, this rate has declined with time as ones ages (Cockburn, Adamson, 1999. This is true because, at the age of 65, the number of people who participate in physical activities were about 33%. Australians participate in physical activities that highly depend on the ability of individuals to utilize his or her leisure time effectively. Based on standardized results, it was found out that age and sex are two factors that highly determine the rate at which people engage in physical activities (Cockburn, Adamson, 1999). Taking into account that a highest rate of about 63.8% participate in recreational physical activities, it is therefore possible that disorders that result from lack of physical activities have reduced. However, some areas have recorded lowest arte at participation into physical activities. For instance, southern Australia has about 51.1% while the Northern territory has higher of about 51.2%. The research further stipulates that for every three people in a group of ten who are about 18 years and have the tendency to be more active (Browning Osborne, 1998). However, there has been a steady increase in the number of people who are undertaking physical activities from 1996 to date. The research furtherr shows that both the Australian capital and the Northern territory have a large number of young populations. However, the Southern Australia and the Tasmania are said to have a large number of aged persons (Bath Morgan, 1998). Therefore as expected, these areas have smaller number of people who are engaged in physical activities. Furthermore, a higher percentage of females are concentrated in the Northern territory. This has contributed to the lower rate of people involved in physical activities since the number of females who undertake physical activity is lower than that of men. Low participation has serious consequences on the socio-economic status of a given country. This has been observed in areas where there is high mortality rate. In this context, high mortality rate has been brought about by lack of physical exercise leading to development of various disorders in the society resulting in increased deaths (Zimmet Salmon, 2003). In these areas, the birth rate is also likely to be low. Low participation also leads to increased cost of health care in the part of government. People are likely to develop myriad diseases something that increases government expenditure. Notably, some of these disorders are prevented by regular physical exercises. It has been observed that greater participation in physical activities has various benefits both to the government as well as to individuals. Moreover, when people are health, they contribute positively to the socio-economy. This leads to increased production (Browning Osborne, 1998). Greater participation also lead s to increased recreational activities that may be used as sources of revenue. In the case of formal physical activities, people may organize competitions that may attract sponsors and hence raise some money that is beneficial. There are various policies that have been established that aims at enlightening as well as ensuring people undertake physical activities. These policies are implemented with the main aim being to increase participation in physical activities (Cooper Gibbons 1989). These policies include: first, people who are in busy schedule are required to take about 20 to 40 hours per week and using their leisure time to engage in recreational physical activities. Employers are required by this policy to ensure that they give their employees enough free time that will enable them to set part of their time in physical activities. This helps in reduction of disorders that may result from lack of sufficient physical activities (Bauman Owen 1999). Public health nutrition is another important policy that has been put in place to ensure that people are able to take the right diet that will help them to undertake physical activities. Australian Sports Commission and the Recreation as well as Sport Indu stry Statistics Group are some of the agencies that are entitled in governing some of the physical events. In conclusion, participation in physical activities is important. Most Australians have risen to the occasion that aims at reducing cases where people are suffering from diseases that could have been prevented. As analyzed in various reports about 50% undertake physical activities at least twice per week. However, a lot needs to be done to make recreational physical activities a lifestyle. This will go along way in promoting socio-economic activities in Australia. Buy custom Participation Levels of Physical Activity in Australia essay

Making Invitations Tutorial for English Learners

Making Invitations Tutorial for English Learners Making invitations is a fun part of using the English language. Inviting people to join you for dinner, social events, or other occasions is usually done using would like as a polite form rather can you This form can be used for both formal and informal invitations. Remember that would you like ... is always followed by the infinitive form of the verb (to do). Phrases for Inviting People Informal Phrases Would you like to verb? Why dont we verb? Lets verb. How about verb ing? Would you like to have a drink? Why dont we go out for dinner? Lets go out this weekend. How about going to a movie? Indicate that you are making an invitation rather than asking just to do something together by using the following phrases: Im buying.My treat.Its on me.Youre my guest. Lets get a drink. Im buying.Why dont we have breakfast. My treat.Lets go to a bar. Its on me.No, Ill pay the tab. Youre my guest. Formal Phrases Would you like to verb?Id like to ask you to verbIt would be my pleasure if you would verbMay I have the honor of your verbing? Id like to ask you to attend the open ceremonies next week.May we have the honor of your presence at dinner on Friday?It would be my pleasure if you would join us for dinner tonight.Would you like to attend the performance with me? Example Dialogues Person 1: Would you like to join us for dinner this evening?Person 2: Thank you. Yes, that would be very nice. Person 1: Would you like to come with us?Person 2: Sure! Its also common to use suggestion forms in more informal situations to invite other people to join you in doing something. These forms include lets do, how about / what about doing, shall we. Example Dialogues Person 1: Lets go out on the town tonight. Person 2: Yes, lets do that. Person 1: Shall we get some dinner tonight? Person 2: That sounds like fun. Thanking People for Invitations Always thank someone for inviting you to do something. Here are some of the most common forms used to accept an invitation. Thank you very much.That would be nice.Certainly, Id love to...Sure, that would be great! (informal) Example Dialogues Person 1: Would you like to come over for dinner?Person 2: That would be nice. Thank you. Person 1: How about joining us for ice-cream?Person 2: Sure, that would be great! If you are unable to accept an invitation, use one of the following polite phrases to respond. Thank you. Im afraid I have another engagement.Sorry, Im afraid I cant. Practice Situations Find a partner and use these suggestions to practice inviting people for different occasions. Make sure to vary the language you use when practicing rather than using the same phrase over and over again. invite your boss over for dinner next week (formal)invite a friend out for a drink (informal)invite an important person to have lunch with you (formal)invite your brother or sister over for a barbecue (informal)

Strategy Business Planning report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategy Business Planning report - Essay Example The company possesses about 1770 stores that are distributed in about 86 countries; and it produces about 450 million items a year. The company aspires to expand its market command, and improve their marketing communications. They also want to expand their online advertising to allow for the access of a larger market that is beneficial to the organization. To achieve these objectives, Zara requires formulating the most formidable strategies in their business practices. Therefore, the business planning strategies are important for the growth of the Zara stores, and achievement of their objectives. The business planning strategy that this company is employing is very vital to its growth. It ensures that the company utilizes their resources in an optimum manner. Every business organization aims at minimizing costs and maximizing output. Zara Company is able to come up with better investment decisions that are creative and optimal. Therefore, with the strategic planning, they are able to invest in areas that have a high business potential. Planning also assists the future preparations of Zara Company. It projects the future, and devices the way of shaping this future in alignment with the company objectives. This can be achieved through influencing the business environment factors towards the business expectations (Simerson, 2011 pg. 17). The company can, therefore, anticipate the trends that enable it to acquire the benefits of effective decision-making. Strategic planning also gives a competitive advantage to Zara Company over the other competitors in the clothing industry. Si nce the clothing and accessories industry experiences a great dynamism in trade, it is a mandate for Zara Company to be highly competitive. Therefore, strategic planning is a vital venture that potentiates the existence of Zara Company in this environment (Esty & Winston, 2009 pg. 07). Zara Company is experiencing a

Compare the socities and governments featured in George Orwell's 1984 Essay

Compare the socities and governments featured in George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Farhenheit 451 - Essay Example Through such features, the authors position their works among their target audience as appropriate pieces of literature. George Orwell employs such features thereby developing a unique piece that coincidentally portrays specific social and government features that are characteristic of dystopian works thereby achieving a similarity with Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 415. The discussion below is therefore an analysis of the features thereby portraying the similarities and differences in the two societies created by the two authors (Ray 12). George Orwell positions his story in an airstrip in a society formerly known as the Great Britain. The author portrays a post apocalypse United Kingdom in as the government goes archaic thereby imposing restrictive policies and increased surveillance of the population. The new authoritarian government banns independent thought thereby controlling the thoughts of the people (Orwell 21). The government has invented both a new category of crime kno wn as thought crime thereby punishing independent thinking people. Additionally, the society has invented yet a new language. The same is the case in Fahrenheit 451 where the new government enjoys massive control of the people by limiting the liberties thus gaining more control. The two societies and governments have various similar features that arise from the nature of the novels. As with any other dystopian novel, the authors set their stories in a futuristic society. The novels seek to address specific social features that require particular positioning. Unlike many other novels, dystopian stories address specific themes not already witnessed in the contemporary society. To validate such claims, the authors therefore position their stories in a futuristic society in which most of their target readers are yet to experience. The ignorance about the feature therefore validates their portrayal of the various themes in such works. Fahrenheit 451 is in a future American society while Nineteen Eighty-Four is set in a future Great Britain. With such placements, the authors are therefore free to manipulate the facts in their stories by presenting plots that would otherwise prove unrealistic in the contemporary democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The two societies have similar structures, with the numerous government legislations; the people therefore develop new social structures in order to accommodate the new political regimes. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, the new authoritarian government under the leadership of the Big Brother imposes various regulations most of which limit the liberties previously enjoyed in the countries. The new government bans any political outfits thereby developing an authoritarian political system. The government for example revokes all the liberties key among which is the freedom of thought. The government develops an effective mind control system that acts as a surveillance tool. The government therefore enjoys a d edicated surveillance of the population thereby monitoring every action in the state. The perpetual war in the society destabilizes peaceful coexistence as the people in the new society live in fear of abduction and public murder by the new regime at any time in case of a violation of the set regulations. The new government is remorseless and treats the people harshly with the view of eliminating any form of resistance. As is characteristic with all dictatorial

The Tools and Techniques of Change Management Assignment

The Tools and Techniques of Change Management - Assignment Example The ability to accept a change is important for both individuals and organizations. For both brick-and-mortar and virtual organizations a human resources manager, who is in the unique position of ensuring the agility of the organization’s human capital, faces a lot of important issues which must be given consideration in order to achieve the strategic goals of the company. The important issues needed to be addressed are planned and unplanned change, global and economic change, political, legal, and social change, the role of human resources in virtual organizations and e-commerce, and the role of technology on the function of human resources. (Hughes 2007) The most vital issue facing human resources managers is the ability to gain strategic partnership. Gaining strategic partnership requires adding value to the organization through forecasting, planning, and adapting to the above changes and taking a proactive attitude in managing change. In both brick-and-mortar and virtual organizations, human resources are part of their strategic plans. Included in these plans are both planned and unplanned changes. Strategic leadership needs an understanding of when change is required in an organization. A strategic leader must be proactive instead of reactive. Thus, human resources should create a strategically managed vision for current and future conditions. In virtual organizations, change is a must if they want to succeed in a global, complex, and vague environment.  

Total Environments, Health, and Safety Management Research Paper

Total Environments, Health, and Safety Management - Research Paper Example Employees who are working on the construction site are subjected to a constant change in their nature of work, mix of workers and location of work. In view of most of the people, construction industry has most risky working environment as compared to other industries (Broadbent, 2004). In case of construction industry, the concept of safety culture is relatively a naà ¯ve concept. However, in recent past this concept has gained popularity due to its unique ability of accepting all the psychological, behavioural, perceptional and managerial factors. Multitasking and paying attention to more than one tasks (professional or non professional) at a time result in accidents. While employees are performing their duties without wearing their protective equipments or just talking on their cell phone, they place themselves at risk just only to make themselves comfortable or to save time. In short, in construction industry most of the accidents occur not due to the lack of skill, training and knowledge but are related to relatively poor decision making skills (Cooper and Phillips, 2004). Management, starting from the individuals, who are occupying the highest position in hierarchical order, all the way through the low level management (leaders, superintendents, supervisors etc.), and all the way down to the people working in production area must engage themselves in the combine efforts to systematically reduce or eradicate the chances of being exposed to any of the hazardous condition or situation. An effective and successful safety culture has following elements: By developing and managing the process of safety in a more effective manner, any organization can reduce the chances of injuries, increase the awareness among workers about safety, can increase overall productivity and also raise the morale of the workers. In order to check compliance, the