The Dutch Caribbean can be defined as a group of Caribbean Islands that are a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These include Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Bonaire, and Saba. These islands were seen as useless when the Spanish Discovered it. The artist and country we will be focusing on is Aruba. Aruba was also classed as useless but it was later discovers that Aruba had Gold. The central Artist of focus will be Rufo Weber. Weber was born in 191 and died 1977, He is known to make contributions to Aruba and music such as the national anthem of Aruba, a music school was named after him, and He was a close friend to Juan Lampe.
Firstly, we can look at Aruba Dushi Tera translates to Aruba Sweet land. It is the National Anthem of Aruba. It was written by Lampe and composed by Weber. This song was written as aruba was looking for a national anthem However the song itself was very popular before then. The song itself talks about Aruba's beautiful beaches and the beauty in its native peoples.
Nationel anthem Aruba
Arubanita- This piece was written in the 1950s and it consist of piano as the solo instrument as well as some percussion instruments. I enjoy the piece because it is very joyful and lively. It is a waltz that can be danced to and it was composed by Weber during the visit of Queen Julianna
The Following Video contains the music written by Wever which shows the history of Aruba. Oranjestad is Aruba's capital and it displays How Aruba has changed over the years while observing historical events
Sambas- A samba is also known as a lively dance. most likely Rufo was inspired by Aruban carnival festivals and this sing was written to celebrate local Culture of Aruba.
Pensando is another waltz composed for duet piano by Weber. It is a lively and quirky piece for dancing as well
Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019). Tour de force: A musical journey of the Caribbean. Sound Caribbean.
The French Caribbean refers to countries or islands that have been colonized by France and France would still have influences on that country presently, whether that be in culture or languages that are spoken. Some examples of these countries are Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Martin. The country I chose to focus on would be Haiti.
Central Artist :The option of choice is Mr. Justin Elie who was born on September 1883 in Cap-Haitien .He was known as one of the best pianist as well as composers and he began studying piano just at the age 6. He is known for Classical music. Elie began his studies and continued to study at Institution de Saint Louis de Gonzague before travelling to France. In 1922 Eli left from Haiti in the United states where he settled in New York. He is a Haitian musician who had knowledge of both classical melody and Haitian folk rhythms. Towards the ending of his life he developed cerebral hemorrhage suddenly and dies in December 1931 while composing a Fantasie Tropical. Some of his works are as Follows:
Legende Creole
Legende Creole is one of Elie's more well known pieces. It is a beautiful piece written for the violin and piano. I enjoyed this piece because it allows the violin to demonstrate its beautiful high registers which pairs and blends together well with piano. The piece sounds classical mostly. The piece was written in 1921 during his time in New York. The piece itself is unique because it combines Elie's Haitian heritage rhythms and classical skills together. The mood of the piece changes through out sometimes its solemn other times its spritely and lively. Additionally, the piece is very emotional.
Fantasie Tropicale
This piece although it is a bit lengthy is very beautiful it is entitled "Fantasie Tropicale". It is a compositional work and the name itself suggest that it was written although it sounds classical it does have some Caribbean rhythms while still being an orchestral piece. The overall feel of this piece is would be vibrant, and joyful. It eve includes native shakers which adds cultural uniqueness to the piece.The piece was written in 1930 and Interestingly, This piece was never published due to Elie's sudden death in 1931.
Chante de la Montagne #3
This piece was written in 1922 and it translates to songs of the Mountains#3 and it is a classic of Haitian music. It is a part of a suite and it is a nocturne which is a song inspired by the night. It has an eerie and slightly uneasy feel to it. It was wriiten to express the beauty of Haiti and its mountains while seen in the nighttime which causes the mood of the listener to be at peace. This song is the third of the pieces it has a #1 and #2
Another piece would be "Haytian Orchestra". This piece was conducted by the composer Justin Elie. This Orchestra was formed during the 1920s. It is called Voodo scenes as voodoo scenes pirestess dance because it was orginally inspired by Haitian Voudo Rituals and Voudo is an important ritual practice.
Lastly Meringue Popularities no 2. is actually a refined version of the traditional Haitian merinque. it is performed as a piano solo it was composed in 1920. This piece is a set of 6 dances and is a very cultural piece.
The term English Caribbean refers to regions in the Caribbean that primarily speak English. These consist of Jamaica, Barbados, Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, St .Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Anguilla. This blog focuses on Barbados its music, artists and culture. Some of the Music Styles featured in Barbados would be Spouge, Calypso, Soca, and Tuk band music to list a few examples.
Central Artist: Rodger Gittens This playlist focuses On the influences and works of Rodger Gittens. Gitten was born in 1964 and he writes locally not for international audiences. His works are mostly known in the country of Barbados. He is a teacher and he writes styles such as calypso,jazz,choral, and gospel music. Most of the works I researched is that he did gospel, works for choirs, and cantatas.
Rodger Gittens Local Artist in Barbados
Playlist: The first song we will look at would be “I Believe” By Mr Roger Gitten. This song features Fiona John who is the vocalist of this piece. The song is from an Easter Musical movie "Fragrance of Love" which was produced in 2022 at Beluah Methodist Church. It talks about having a different perspective on love and Believing that a person who you love can truly be all and everything that matters as well as loving a person as they are.
Rodger Gitten Hymns, Pslams, and Songs
This video is a compilation of several gospel songs written by Mr. Gittens. It is his own interpretation of scripture in the Bible Psalms for example. In the Video shown above, Mr Gittens Himself speaks to the congregation about the different kinds of love. He mentions that there are 7 but he focuses on the Phillia Love which deal with the concept of brotherly love. The name of these songs are "Feed My Lambs" and "Love Thy Neighbor" the latter is sung by male voices. The instrumentation consist of a Keyboard and conga drums and voices of the Choir. There are other songs such as Psalm 23, Christ for the World sing, and Everyone needs a friend. As He interprets the music his theme is mainly on live, Unity and brotherhood.
"Boom Boom" Rodger Gittens
The previous Video . Mr. Gittens spoke about when he created this song it was a Jazz tune he created in 2021. This song was Requested By Dr. Christine Gangelhoff A song for flute and flugabone Tuba. The song essentially describes the sound of the drums and how people react by dancing to the sound of the drums. I feel this is an example of how Mr. Gitten has influenced his listeners and collaborated with Dr Gangelhoff and Mr. Justilien (Bahamas) to create a Unique piece for listeners to enjoy
The Song Rest of the Weary by Gittens has a calypso like feel and style and I like the feel and rhythm of this song. The Words are by John Monsell and Mr. Gittens did the Music. This was recorded in 2008. It is one of his styles on a known piece of music.
Another Playlist would be the song “Bethlehem” By Gittens. It is a song about the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is from a series of advent music By Red Create and The World council of churches is also featured.
The King of Love My Shepherd is
The king of Love My shepherd is was also performed in 2019 the music was done by Mr Gitten and the words was written by Henry Williams Baker. This was one of his works recorded at Ebenezer Baptist Church. This showcases Glittens unique musical interpretations.
Blessed Is The Man
Lastly, Blessed is the Man which was written By Mr. Gitten is his interpretation of Psalm1. This Took Place at Ebenezer Baptist Church in April 2019. The it includes 10 voices consisting of the four voice type soprano, altos, tenors, and Basses.
Bibliography
Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019). Tour de force: A musical journey of the Caribbean. Sound Caribbean.
https://youtu.be/AATN0GfabJs?si=hMvCeSP3W2lBL44s
Where are the English Speaking Caribbean Islands https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+english+region+of+the+carribean&sca_esv=38d5b1a6813f14da&sxsrf=AE3TifMfX2VvyeSUKNnbrrt8JlK5O7_k3Q%3A1759408310251&source=hp&ei=
The term English Caribbean refers to regions in the Caribbean that primarily speak English. These consist of Jamaica, Barbados, Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, St .Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Anguilla. This blog focuses on Barbados its music, artists and culture. Some of the Music Styles featured in Barbados would be Spouge, Calypso, Soca, and Tuk band music to list a few examples.
Central Artist: Rodger Gittens This playlist focuses On the influences and works of Rodger Gittens. Gitten was born in 1964 and he writes locally not for international audiences. His works are mostly known in the country of Barbados. He is a teacher and he writes styles such as calypso,jazz,choral, and gospel music. Most of the works I researched is that he did gospel, works for choirs, and cantatas.
Rodger Gittens Local Artist in Barbados
Playlist: The first song we will look at would be “I Believe” By Mr Roger Gitten. This song features Fiona John who is the vocalist of this piece. The song is from an Easter Musical movie "Fragrance of Love" which was produced in 2022 at Beluah Methodist Church. It talks about having a different perspective on love and Believing that a person who you love can truly be all and everything that matters as well as loving a person as they are.
Rodger Gitten Hymns, Pslams, and Songs
This video is a compilation of several gospel songs written by Mr. Gittens. It is his own interpretation of scripture in the Bible Psalms for example. In the Video shown above, Mr Gittens Himself speaks to the congregation about the different kinds of love. He mentions that there are 7 but he focuses on the Phillia Love which deal with the concept of brotherly love. The name of these songs are "Feed My Lambs" and "Love Thy Neighbor" the latter is sung by male voices. The instrumentation consist of a Keyboard and conga drums and voices of the Choir. There are other songs such as Psalm 23, Christ for the World sing, and Everyone needs a friend. As He interprets the music his theme is mainly on live, Unity and brotherhood.
"Boom Boom" Rodger Gittens
The previous Video . Mr. Gittens spoke about when he created this song it was a Jazz tune he created in 2021. This song was Requested By Dr. Christine Gangelhoff A song for flute and flugabone Tuba. The song essentially describes the sound of the drums and how people react by dancing to the sound of the drums. I feel this is an example of how Mr. Gitten has influenced his listeners and collaborated with Dr Gangelhoff and Mr. Justilien (Bahamas) to create a Unique piece for listeners to enjoy
The Song Rest of the Weary by Gittens has a calypso like feel and style and I like the feel and rhythm of this song. The Words are by John Monsell and Mr. Gittens did the Music. This was recorded in 2008. It is one of his styles on a known piece of music.
Another Playlist would be the song “Bethlehem” By Gittens. It is a song about the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is from a series of advent music By Red Create and The World council of churches is also featured.
The King of Love My Shepherd is
The king of Love My shepherd is was also performed in 2019 the music was done by Mr Gitten and the words was written by Henry Williams Baker. This was one of his works recorded at Ebenezer Baptist Church. This showcases Glittens unique musical interpretations.
Blessed Is The Man
Lastly, Blessed is the Man which was written By Mr. Gitten is his interpretation of Psalm1. This Took Place at Ebenezer Baptist Church in April 2019. The it includes 10 voices consisting of the four voice type soprano, altos, tenors, and Basses.
Bibliography
Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019). Tour de force: A musical journey of the Caribbean. Sound Caribbean.
https://youtu.be/AATN0GfabJs?si=hMvCeSP3W2lBL44s
Where are the English Speaking Caribbean Islands https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+english+region+of+the+carribean&sca_esv=38d5b1a6813f14da&sxsrf=AE3TifMfX2VvyeSUKNnbrrt8JlK5O7_k3Q%3A1759408310251&source=hp&ei=
