NOISE 

(Moments Musicaux Discordante) 

1)  1983 : By ferry to Gothenberg, then a 

motoring trip ‘up Sweden, down Norway’

From Kviknes hotel Balestrand, a boat along the Sognefjord.

Wondering at the dramatic scenery: Indigo water, 

sheer cliffs, ice, waterfalls, circling birds.

-Best would be quiet- 

If any music, then perhaps some Sibelius, Beethoven?

Suddenly: over the boat’s tannoy, blasts South American 

pan flute and charango.

Such incongruity; such ghastly, out-of-place, unbecoming sound.

Shame. To be left with this memory of wonder spoilt .

2)   2007 :  Easter Sunday at the Dambovicioara Gorge

Ambling through the winding, narrow, steep-sided ravine; 

emerging into a wider grassy area, rocky outcrops, 

taking in the mountains, far-off villages,

-Best would be quiet, stillness- 

If any music, then perhaps some Bach, Scriabin?

Apparition: He stood on the roof of a battered Dacia, 

brandishing a large bone, grimacing, 

as if daring any to scale his citadel and usurp him.

The Savage roared, grunted, bellowed along to some 

benighted offspring of rap, grime, drill, or

other coarse din that echoed to the peaks.

Such imbalance, disparity; terrible, hellish sounds.

Shame. Across snowy slopes, this loud jagged scar.

 

3)   2018 : By car to Tulcea, then a boat along the Danube Delta

Gazing at the unique surroundings; 

relishing the blue sky, lakes, waterfowl, reeds.

-Best would be quiet, stillness, reflection-

 If any music, then perhaps some Schubert, Schumann?

Horror: two fast-moving craft creating wash and commotion, 

awful types draped over cabin and rails, waving bottles.

And blaring out.... some Balkano, slap-bass, 

syrupy-clarinet-riddled horror of swirling and bleating.

Such dissonance; unsuited, conflicting, unharmonious sound. 

Shame. A jarring imposition, brutish uproar ruining the exquisite.

Peter Jennings

East Sussex

March 2025