The entire Labour Government should be thrown out and banned from public office. They have shown themselves bereft of compassion, insight, dignity, understanding or common sense. And they have exhibited contempt for […]

The spookiest time of the year is upon us at last. To celebrate the season, Aldi is bringing back its creepy Halloween-themed Reggano pasta.

Burger King and McDonald's both serve various chicken sandwiches. I tasted comparable crispy chicken options to see which fast-food chain does it best.

from Your News: Election experts estimate that up to 2.7 million noncitizens could illegally vote in the 2024 U.S. elections due to lax border enforcement and outdated voter registration processes. By yourNEWS Media Newsroom Experts are warning that the potential for illegal voting in the 2024 elections could reach unprecedented levels, with between 1.5 million […]

by Harley Schlanger, LaRouche Organization: The divide at the U.N. General Assembly is not only over war or peace, but how to achieve a lasting peace.  The backers of the Unipolar Order argue that peace depends on subservient acceptance of a bankrupt neocolonial order, kept in place by sanctions, coups, assassinations and war.  For the […]

from vivafrei: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

  Ancient Greek engineer and master of mechanics Philo of Byzantium was the creator of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World list. He came up with the list in 225 BCE. It wasn’t until 2007 that the New 7 Wonders Foundation updated this old list by conducting a global poll where millions of people around the world had the chance to vote. This is how the New 7 Wonders of the World came to be. However, even the updated list doesn’t do justice to the stunning and magnificent landmarks and monuments that exist in our world. You will find below a list of places worthy of being called Wonders of the World, thanks to their historical, cultural, and architectural significance on the world stage.   1. The Acropolis, Greece Ruins of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Source: Pexels   The hallmark of ancient Greek civilization doesn’t need an introduction. This is, after all, the timeless symbol of cultural and architectural achievement. Every day, more than 23,000 people flock to this historical landmark in Athens. Sitting at 490 feet above sea level and with a surface area of about 7.5 acres, the Acropolis still has four standing structures. These are the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaia. The ancient citadel was built in the 5th century BCE. This was under the leadership of Pericles when Athenian power was at its peak.   It goes without saying that some of the most renowned sculptors and architects of ancient Greece are behind the design of the structures of the Acropolis. As for the Parthenon, it was dedicated to the goddess Athena. She was the patron deity of Athens. The Parthenon is the most famous of the structures of the Acropolis and is an iconic symbol of ancient Greek civilization.   2. Moai, Chile Moai statues in Easter Island, Chile. Source: Flickr   The indigenous inhabitants of Easter Island in Chile created these iconic statues that deserve, without any doubt, to be considered among the New Wonders of the World. The Rapa Nui people made these wonders around 1,100 to 1,500 CE. We encourage you to take a trip to this region of Chile, which is located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, because witnessing these statues is totally worth it.   Some of the Moai stone statues weigh many tons and are more than 30 feet or 9 meters long. Carved from volcanic rock, mainly from the Rano Raraku quarry, they were transported to different locations around Easter Island. The statues represent the faces of ancestors and important figures. On top of that, the Rapa Nui people believed that the Moai were symbols of political as well as religious power and authority.   The statues were placed on ahu. These were large stone platforms that served as ceremonial sites. Some of the Moai were adorned with pukao, large cylinders or hats placed on the heads of the statues. The pukao were made of volcanic red scoria.   3. Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines with an Ifugao native. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Despite not making it to the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, many actually refer to the Banaue Rice Terraces as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Over 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao people, an indigenous group of Filipinos, carved the rice terraces into the mountains. At present, they are used to grow rice and vegetables.   These terraces are a standing testament to the advanced irrigation systems and agricultural techniques that the indigenous people developed. Located around 1,500 meters above sea level, they cover a wide area across the Ifugao province.   If you’re visiting, make sure to go to Banaue, Hapao, and Batad. This is where you will witness the most famous terraces.   The historical and cultural significance, as well as the breathtaking beauty of the Banaue Rice Terraces, are recognized all around the globe. And there’s no wonder that these iconic landmarks are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.   4. Stonehenge, UK Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire, UK. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, so no doubt it should be considered a Wonder of the World. If you’re planning to visit, take a trip to Wiltshire, England. You can see the large standing stones on Salisbury Plain. Some of the structures are topped by horizontal lintel stones.   The construction of Stonehenge spanned several centuries, and the monuments were completed in multiple phases. The process started with the excavation of a circular ditch and bank around 3000 BCE. This is when the “Henge” was formed. Construction continued through 2000 BCE. The Stone Circle is the most famous part of the structure.   Two main types of stones were used to construct Stonehenge. These include the larger Sarsen stones that were sourced locally and the smaller bluestones that were transported from Wales, over 150 miles away.   While all the other monuments and historic landmarks on our list have a purpose behind building them, the exact objective and significance of Stonehenge remains a mystery. Some believe it’s been a site of ceremonial or religious significance. Others suggest it was used for burials. This is because cremated human remains have been found on the site.   5. The Terracotta Army, China Terracotta army warrior clay figures in Shaanxi, China. Source: Pickpik   China’s Terracotta warriors were discovered in the 20th century. To be more precise, a group of local farmers found these clay figures in 1974 while they were digging a well in Shaanxi province, China. The area was suffering from a severe drought back then.   During the Qin Dynasty, skilled laborers and artisans crafted these warriors more than 2,000 years ago. What for? To accompany the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor. He ruled from 259 to 210 BCE. Thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, along with their chariots and horses, were buried with Emperor Qin. It was believed that they would protect him in the afterlife.   Today, the Terracotta Army is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and millions of visitors flock to Shaanxi every year to see this unique archaeological discovery. The clay figures are located at Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.   And it’s definitely worth visiting as you will have the chance to see how unique the figures are. You will learn about the artistic skills of the ancient Chinese after witnessing the detailed facial expressions, hairstyles, weapons, and armor of the warriors.   6. Angkor Wat, Cambodia Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Source: Wikipedia Commons   Millions of tourists flock to Cambodia every single year. And almost all of them go there to see this iconic temple complex in Angkor. In the 12th century, King Suryavarman built the Angkor Wat. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple. The first temple to be dedicated to the god of Vishnu. However, it was later turned into a Buddhist temple.   The Angkor Wat covers around 400 acres, and thanks to its rich ancient history and architecture, the monument is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also worth noting that the Cambodian temple complex is considered the largest religious monument in the world in terms of land size.   When visiting, and you should, you will witness the majesty of the construction details of this architectural marvel. The wall carvings mimic an ancient picture book. They will give you a glimpse of life in the Khmer region, historical happenings, and Hindu stories.   All the expansive galleries, towering spires, and stone carvings that you will see at the Angkor Wat are made from sandstone blocks. One thing to note is that the design of the temple symbolizes Mount Meru. This is the home of the gods in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.   7. The Alhambra, Spain Dawn at the Alhambra palace, Granada, Spain. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Granada is lucky to have such an iconic palace and fortress complex that is famous for its history, beautiful architecture, and views. This site is totally worth a visit at least once during your lifetime. The Alhambra was built in the 13th and 14th centuries during the Nasrid Dynasty. Back then, the Muslim rulers used it as a royal palace, fortress, and court for the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.   Visit to see the intricate Islamic architecture of this architectural landmark. You will see mosaic tiles, beautifully detailed stucco work, elaborate courtyards, and arabesque designs. The main sites you need to visit in the Alhambra include the Court of the Lions, the Palace of the Lions, and the Generalife Gardens.   It’s true that the historic site was originally a medieval Islamic palace. However, after the Reconquista in 1492, the Alhambra fell under Christian control. As a result, the new rulers modified and even added some sections to the place.   The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and without any doubt, it deserves to be considered among the New Wonders of the World for its beauty, history, and architectural significance.   8. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy. Source: Pexels   This structure was just meant to be a free-standing bell tower for Pisa’s cathedral. However, during construction, it began leaning because of its weak foundation on unstable soil. And the tilt kept increasing over the years. It wasn’t until the 20th and early 21st centuries that efforts were made to stabilize it. The lean was reduced from 5.5 degrees to around 4 degrees after extensive restoration. Today, the tower is structurally stable.   The 183-foot tall structure is part of the Piazza del Duomo, and while its construction began in 1173, it wasn’t completed until 1372. With eight stories, the Leaning Tower of Pisa weighs about 14,500 metric tons.   Of course, it’s worth seeing the large seven bells at the top of the tower after climbing it. However, you have to know that these bells have not rung for over a century now. So, while you can see them, you won’t have the chance to hear them. Obviously, engineers and restorers thought that if the bells were to continue ringing, this would have gotten the tower to lean even more.   9. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Egypt The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Egypt. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This ancient necropolis in Egypt’s Alexandria is a site that will surely wow any history buff. And it definitely deserves a spot on the Seven Wonders of the World list thanks to its historical and artistic significance. Carved out of solid rock, this iconic archaeological site dates back to the Greco-Roman period in Egypt, the 2nd century CE.   In the very beginning, when they were constructed, these tombs served as the burial site for a wealthy family. However, they were expanded later on to include more tombs. The name “Kom el Shoqafa” means the “Mound of Shards.” It refers to the piles of broken pottery that were found around the site. These were left by ancient visitors who brought food and offerings, and discarded the containers afterward.   While the catacombs consist of three levels, the lowest one is actually underwater. When visiting, you can only explore the upper levels. You will get the chance to see several burial chambers, a spiral staircase leading down to the tombs, and a banquet hall. You’ll also witness Egyptian religious symbols blended with Greek and Roman artistic elements at the Main Tomb.   The most interesting thing is how these catacombs were rediscovered. This was by accident when a donkey fell through a hole in the ground in 1900, which led to the rediscovery of the underground chambers.   10. Eiffel Tower, France Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Source: Wikimedia Commons   There’s no reason that prevents this famous iconic landmark from being considered a Wonder of the World. It’s one of the modern world’s most important man-made structures and has a very remarkable historical as well as architectural significance.   The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889 as part of the “Exposition Universelle” (World’s Fair) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Gustave Eiffel is the designer of the 1,083-foot-tall tower. This was the world’s tallest structure until 1930, the year in which New York City’s Chrysler Building was completed.   If you haven’t been to Paris yet, then you should, just to see the Eiffel Tower alone cause it’s worth it. If you’ve already been to the City of Lights, then there’s very little chance you haven’t seen France’s most famous landmark. You have three levels to explore in the tower, and you have the option to choose either the stair or elevator access.

  Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time. Through five significant compositions, we’ll look at the genius of JS Bach and discover the legacy of his music while revealing the depth and breadth of his artistic mastery. From the Coffee Cantata (BWV 211), which shows Bach’s lighter side while reflecting the popularity of coffee (and its perceived dangers) in eighteenth-century Leipzig, to his Chaconne from Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin (BWV 1004) which is a monumental work feared and revered by violinists and probably born out of personal grief.   1. Schweigt Stille, Plaudert Nicht, ‘Kaffeekantate’ (the Coffee Cantata), BWV 211   While Bach was working in Leipzig as Cantor (music director) of St. Thomas Church, he was also involved in the city’s secular music performance ensemble, Collegium Musicum. Georg Philipp Telemann started the ensemble in 1702. In 1729, Bach took the role of director. He regularly performed with the ensemble at the local coffeehouse, Zimmermannsches Kaffeehaus (Café Zimmermann) — a social coffee house for the gentlemen of Leipzig.   This composition, a cantata composed between 1732 and 1735, shows JS Bach’s “lighter” side and is another example of his brilliance in the popular forms of his time (he never composed an opera, though). The staged version linked above is a miniature comic opera telling the story of a disgruntled father, Schlendrian, who berates his daughter (Lieschen) for her love of coffee. Through clever maneuvers and outright disobedience, her love affair with coffee continues. If Bach were to compose an opera, it would have sounded (and looked) like the Coffee Cantata.   Below the surface, there is also more to it than a daughter defying her father about her coffee habit. First, the work also parodies the coffee house’s wild popularity in eighteenth-century Leipzig — think of husbands avoiding their wives or men taking time off work to visit the coffee house. Second, Schlendrian was symbolic of some of Leipzig’s society who believed coffee should be avoided at all costs and it is, in fact, a bad habit that should be broken.   2. Chaconne, Partita No. 2 In D Minor For Solo Violin, BWV1004   Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne stands as a towering giant in the world of solo violin music.  Bach did not document his reasons for composing the partita. It could have been intended as a pedagogical work for instructing violinists in the art of contrapuntal playing. Like The Art of Fugue, it was probably never intended for public performances.   The Chaconne is the last movement of the Partita No. 2 for Violin in D minor. Each of the preceding movements is composed in a popular dance form taken from a suite found in the Baroque era. Although one would not associate the serious music of the Chaconne with dancing, it is a form of dance, nonetheless.   Considering the length of the piece, it is unusually long for one of Bach’s compositions. Although he composed major works lasting over an hour or two, they are comprised of shorter movements. The Chaconne lasts between twelve and 15 minutes depending on the performer’s style and tempo. It is as long as the preceding four movements.   The overall structure is simple: it opens with a phrase lasting four bars stating the theme of the work. 64 phrases or “variations” follow, each also lasting four bars. Each starts with the tonic chord (D minor or D major) and returns to the tonic (first chord of the scale). While this may sound static and boring, Bach transforms the simple theme in numerous ways. When the rhythms become more complex, the harmonies you will hear become simpler, and vice versa.   Autograph Score of the Chaconne (Ciaconna), by JS Bach, 1717-1720. Source: Bach-Digital   At the 34th variation, the mood shifts from somber to happy and sprightly in D major. What starts as a simple “variation” builds in intensity before it returns to the original D minor key signature. The last few “variations” are some of the most complex until the opening theme bookends the composition.   Instead of a linear progression throughout the piece, Bach uses numerous techniques to drive the music forward: some themes are matched in pairs while others connect in larger groups. At times, melodic ideas are stretched across phrase boundaries, and what you will intuitively perceive will not match the four-bar phrase structure.   Portrait of JS Bach, by Elias Gottlob Haußman, 1748. Source: Leipzig Bach Archive   Historians speculate that Bach composed the piece after returning from a trip and learning Maria Barbara, his first wife, and mother of seven of his children, had passed away; meaning, that the Chaconne was composed sometime between 1718 and 1720.   Bach returned to Cöthen from a trip to Carlsbad. Maria Barbara had suddenly taken ill during that time and was already buried when he returned. He had no other means of grieving, and so the Chaconne was supposedly born as a form of lament. This may be true, or it may be a myth. However, the emotional power of the work is striking, as Johannes Brahms wrote to Clara Schumann in a letter:   “On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind. If one does not have the greatest violinist around, then it is well the most beautiful pleasure to simply listen to its sound in one’s mind.”   Whatever the reason was for composing this monumental work whether religious, or as a lament, or pedagogical work — expect to be moved.   3. Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-6, BWV 1046-1051   One can think of the Brandenburg Concertos as a crash course in the music of JS Bach — each concerto grosso offers listeners of different tastes something to look forward to. A concerto grosso differs from the standard concerto: instead of a soloist performing with the orchestra in the concerto grosso, separate groups of instruments are used as soloists.   The Brandenburg concerti can be seen as JS Bach’s “Musical Resume” or “calling card” for Cristian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg. Bach described the collection of pieces as “Six Concerts Avec plusiers Instruments” on the autograph score, dated March 24, 1721.   Regrettably, the Margrave’s court did not have the instrumental forces required to play the monumental work. It is also possible that the work was never played at the Brandenburg court in Berlin. The excellent musical resume did not land him the job as a court musician either.   Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, BWV 1046   Unlike the other five concertos, the first concerto is the most elaborate and features four movements. It is a juxtaposition of elements from the dance suite and Italian-style concerto. The elements from the dance suite indicate that it may have been reworked from an earlier work, dating from 1713.   The first and third movements are Allegro, and the slow second movement is sandwiched in between. However, the fourth movement is French: it uses the Minuet and Trio forms. Again, Bach puts a twist on this too by inserting a polacca (Polish dance, or Polonaise) between the two contrasting minuets and trios.   Another bold decision on the part of Bach was his emulation of his contemporary Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) in the first Trio, by using Lully’s standard scoring of two oboes and a bassoon as found in his operas. The second Trio, after the Polacca, features two horns (the only concerto in the set to use them) and an oboe. The Polacca only uses the string instruments and continuo (usually, the harpsichord).   Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, BWV1047   In Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, a unique combination of solo trumpet, recorder, oboe, and violin takes center stage. Although this was not an uncommon combination in Bach’s time, the music features many technical difficulties and intricate writing.   The high pitches in the trumpet part during the first and third movements would have proved extremely difficult for the players at the Margrave’s court because the Baroque trumpet is valveless, unlike its modern counterpart. Excellent breath control and playing technique are needed to produce a pure tone due to the instrument’s unique construction.   Because the trumpet can only play in major keys it does not feature in the second movement, which was customary practice in Baroque concertos. The second movement places the principal musical idea in the hands of the solo violin, later taken up by the oboe, and finally the recorder.   Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048   Bach’s third Brandenburg Concerto opens a world of unique sound. It is written entirely for a string orchestra featuring three violins, violas, and violoncellos and the harpsichord provides accompanying support too. This concerto has a unique makeup: it lacks the slow, middle movement. Instead, a chord progression in a minor key moves the music forward to the third and last movement.   The first movement is much like a musical conversation among the members of the string orchestra. Melodies and ideas are exchanged, brief solos occur, and instrument groups follow a call-and-response pattern (an idea is stated by a soloist or group and answered by another instrument or group). The third movement follows the same pattern as the first.   Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, BWV 1049   Seeking innovative ways to show his talent to his potential future employer, JS Bach’s concerto in G major is a hybrid of the solo concerto and concerto grosso. Here, the soloist is a violin and two flauti d’echo (likely, treble recorders) while the strings and harpsichord play the ripieno.   The violin’s extensive solo passages in the first movement can (almost) be likened to a solo concerto. The recorders take the spotlight during the second movement with the full orchestra accompanying them. Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt speculates it is possible that the two recorders (flauti d’echo) were used to produce an echo effect in the second movement. They leave their seats at the end of the first movement and either play offstage or from a different part of the room.   The last movement showcases Bach’s mastery of counterpoint where a lively fugue is introduced by the violas and the violin takes center stage again.   Brandenburg Concerto no. 5, BWV 1050   The penultimate concerto embraces the emerging solo concerto style, and the star of the show is the transverse flute. Apart from the flute, the violin and the harpsichord are also featured prominently as soloists during the first movement.   This concerto is also considered an important prolepsis of the keyboard concerto, where the keyboard instrument is elevated beyond the role of accompaniment. In the slow, middle movement Bach explores the expressive capabilities of the transverse flute. In the final movement, there is another oscillation between the French and Italian styles. An elegant French gigue rhythm opens the movement and is combined with lively Italian rhythms.   Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, BWV 1051   The final concerto in the set offers another unique glimpse into Bach’s world. It stands apart from other concertos of the time by excluding the violins from the orchestra. Instead, JS Bach uses “newer” instruments like the viola and violoncello in combination with their “older” counterparts the viols da gamba and violone.   The overall tone is warm but also slightly lower in pitch, reminding the listener of 17th-century English viol consorts. The first and third movements are energetic and sound like a musical conversation between the older and newer instruments. The middle movement creates a trio sonata texture with the two violas playing with the continuo (harpsichord) with the violoncello playing a decorated version of the continuo’s bass line.   4. The Musical Offering, BWV 1079   The Musical Offering is dedicated to King Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great, 1712-17886) who challenged Bach with a theme during their meeting at the court in Potsdam. The challenge was first a three-voice fugue and Bach completed the task successfully. The next challenge was to use the same, complex theme in a six-voice fugue. JS Bach responded to the king and stated that he would need to work on the score and send it to the king afterward. The resulting work is the Musical Offering (Das Musikalische Opfer).   Bach went beyond the king’s challenge and produced two ricercars written on as many staves as there are voices: a three-voice fugue and a six-voice fugue. Additionally, there are also ten canons including the famous “crab canon” (canon cancrizans) in two voices. The crab canon uses the theme but plays it forward and backward at the same time.   5. Goldberg Variations, BWV988   JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations is one of his most famous and popular keyboard works and it has been used in numerous films and TV shows (it is also one of Hannibal Lecter’s favorite compositions). Unlike many of his compositions, the Goldberg Variations were published during Bach’s lifetime.   In the Baroque Period, it was believed that music like this could lift the spirit — a fact music therapists apply in their practice today. The idea was referred to as “gemüths-ergetzende” (mood-lifting) music.   The central idea upon which the work is built is the humble bass line. Bach combines a “staple” bass line, known since the time of Monteverdi (1567-1643), with his more modern ideas to create a work offering a blend of tradition, innovation, and an ornamented melody. When Bach combines these elements, we get an oscillation between old and new. Some variations like numbers 10 and 22 are known for their strict contrapuntal fugues (another form Bach excelled at). Others like the twenty-fifth variation explore profound emotional depths, much like the Chaconne.   The work was originally composed for a two-manual harpsichord. At times, the Goldberg Variations present certain technical challenges when played on a modern piano because the hands need to cross over one another without the aid of a second keyboard. Unlike the rigid almost-academic nature of The Well-Tempered Clavier’s 24 preludes and 24 fugues (spread over two volumes), the Goldberg Variations offers an approachable roadmap to JS Bach’s music and a world filled with emotions.   Final Thoughts Sculpture of Johann Sebastian Bach, by Max von Wildnmann, 1863. Source: Leipzig Bach Archive   Each of these secular masterpieces offers a showcase of Bach’s versatility, innovation, faith (he was a devout Lutheran), and emotional depth. From lightheartedness to the varying emotions of the Goldberg Variations to the profound exploration of emotions in the Chaconne, JS Bach’s music continues to inspire and captivate listeners. Each work is a monument to his unparalleled contribution to the history of music.   Further Reading/Listening 1. For more information about JS Bach’s secular and religious cantatas: Bach’s Cantatas 2. An in-depth and musical discussion of the Chaconne is available here: Deep dive into the Bach Chaconne 3. For an overall, deeper understanding and religious message of the Brandenburg Concertos: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/arts/music/bach-brandenburg-concertos.html 4. Detail and background to the Musical Offering: https://baroque.boston/js-bach-musical-offering 5. More information and recordings to look out for of the Goldberg Variations:https://www.wqxr.org/story/bachs-goldberg-variations-loopholes/