The things you find....

[cairistiona]

I was checking Facebook and someone had posted this video:

I've never heard of this tradition, called semantron or toaca, but it's mesmerizing.

Comments

[mrowe.livejournal.com]

*refrains from making drummer jokes*

It's cool though:)

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I know, I want to make drummer jokes too, but since it's a holy practice, I'm refraining.

My brain being what it is (ie, eaten up with Sebastian Stan and Bucky), I can't help but hear some Winter Soldier theme percussive similarities in this, and now I want to ask Henry Jackman if he lifted some of the rhythmic elements from toaca (kinda like how they put Bucky in Bucharest because of Seb).

Probably just coincidence, though.

[shirebound]

Fascinating! And so wonderful.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy listening to drums in general, and this is just fantastic.

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

Good greef. Two hammers, a plank of wood, and a very dishy bloke in a burkha. Whoooeeee. I ended up with nose on screen watching the flashing right hand.... and being scared witless in case when he practised, he dropped the hammer, or the head came flying off and bounced off an icon or a crucifx.

A helluva lot better than Aleeeene or Beyonce.... !

(He's not Roumanian by any chance?????)

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Yep, I think this monk is Romanian. Maybe one of Seb's cousins, who knows!

The speed and the triple/quadruple/however-many-uples he hits beats is crazy, isn't it?? And I love how if you look at the board itself, you can trace the pattern of the strikes, especially the circular ones with the right hand. I wonder how old that board is and how often they have to replace it... and does a new board have to be "broken in" so is there a little cave somewhere filled with novices practicing on boards so that when this one needs replaced the sound won't be terribly off...

And yes, does the mallet ever break and the hammer head fly off and hit the poor monk in the head!!!!

The things I wonder! LOL

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

I think I shall have to send this to Andrew - he has the planks, the hammers and is very into different music. (piano... but percussion wouldn't be past him!) I know he'd be most interested. I'll let you know if he does himself any damage as he's trying it out!!! teehee. I've just watched it again... its almost hypnotising! Do they do it for their 'Masses' or parts of the service? Sorry.. can Google all that.

But to think of Seb and sitting or standing in one of those glorious churches they have... Ohhhh my oh myyyyyy.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Oooh, yes, let me know what your Andrew thinks and if he decides to make one himself!

As my limited understanding has it, it's used as a call to prayer? I have no idea how often a day or anything, but wouldn't it be so exotic to be in Romania within earshot of some monastery up in the mountains, fog billowing about, and suddenly all this wild drumming rings out!

I do wonder if Seb even knows about this tradition? He left Romania so young, and had lived in a city... I don't know if they have these sorts of monasteries in cities?? I really don't know much of anything, do I! LOL But I bet he'd enjoy learning about this. Hmm, someone should go tell him. I volunteer. *g*

[ysilme]

This is really fascinating, isn't it? I've heard/seen this on a folk festival before, and in some documentaries, but never that long and mesmerising.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I saw some youtube videos of competitions... really fascinating.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

This is awesome!

- Erulisse (one L)

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Just hypnotic, isn't it.