Listening (Corigliano (The Ghosts of Versailles)

I couldn't find the listening on Sakai, however the Opera was on youtube and I listened to "They Wish They Could Kill Me". I thought that the scene and song were very different. There seemed to be a lot of sarcasm in the piece. I liked how the actors didn't simply speak, they seemed to sing speak. I thought that this was more entertaining than stopping and starting between speak and song. I thought that it was neat how the Opera was based on a rewrite of history. I believe that it was done to save Maria Antionette. Overall I thought that the opera was different than others because it had a comical element.

Listening (John Adams, On the Transmigration of Souls (2002)

I thought that this piece impacted me the greatest. It had such a profound impact because I live so close to New York City and experienced the tragedies of September 11th first hand. While I was only in the 5th grade I still have a vivid image of that exact day. I thought that it interesting how the child repeated "missing" constantly. This truly drives in the idea of a lost person. I liked how he uses some of the ideas from Charles Ives. Some similarities are the trumpet, and the constant strings. I also like the overall message of this piece--it helps us get through our feelings. I think that by reflecting on who we have lost it helps us accept what has happened.

Listening (John Tavener, Song for Athene (1993)

I really enjoyed this piece. My first impression was that it was relaxing. I also liked it because I enjoy large choir pieces. It was interesting how he composed the piece for Westminster Abby. I feel that the piece is sad, however there is a theme of remorse. Musically, I like how the basses hold out a tone so that a constant sound is heard. I feel that this sound gives the pitch an ominous sound. I think that it was exceptional how he based his composition on icons. This adds a visual aspect to the composition. Additionally, I thought that it was neat how he views the piece has a reflection of society. My favorite part of the song was at the end when the entire chorus moves to forte or double forte. I feel that this part signifies the resolve of a problem in society.

Listening (Kaija Saariaho, From the Gramm of Dreams)

After listening to this piece I felt that Sarriaho was influenced by the government run electronic lab. Even though the piece doesn't have a larger electronic aspect I feel that the electronic sounds are replaced by the voice. I pitch of the voice goes up and down like those of synthesizer's. Also she says words that span over several measures and slide down from a higher pitch. I thought that it was interesting how the theme of this piece is death. I felt that it was very similar to George Crumb's work. It was similar because the voice seemed to be amplified and changed pitched rapidly.

Listening (Diamanda Galas, Plague Mass, "Were you a witness?" (1991)

I thought that this piece was similar to John Schwantner's composition because they both had supported an idea. Schwantner's was MLK's, while Galas was supporting the fight on aids. I feel like this composition is very power. The sounds that Galas creates seem unnatural and personally scared me. I feel like with a piece so odd that it would gather alot of attention. I thought that it was interesting how she somehow used vocalization to speed up her voice to sound like chatter. I thought that this music was a creative way to support an idea. However, I would not listen to it in any other context. Also I thought that the lyrics were violently charged. In the beginning she speaks about battle and blood. I didn't like how she was so negative. I felt like she could have supported the fight against AIDS in some other more positive way.

Listening (Laurie Anderson, Home of the Brave)

When listening to this music I feel that it would have been easily made into a music video. I thought this because most of the music seems very visual. To me, the music sounds very 1980's. It seems like these compositions are a mix of some of the elements in the 80s. The voice sounds like that from the B-52's, and the instrumental seem similar to Huey Lewis and the News. I also thought that it was interesting how Anderson's singing is similar to speaking. I felt like it was hard to distinguish between when she was speaking and singing. Furthermore, I thought the background vocals added a contrast between the lead vocal.

Listening (Joseph Schwantner, New Morning for the World (1982)

I thought that this piece was a new way to advocate politics in music. This piece is an instrumental with voice over. The voice is reading a passage from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. I thought that the reading and music fit together well. I liked how there was a passage from the reading then the theme of that passage was played in the music. An example would be when the reader says "I have a dream", and the music follows with one of the pieces largest climaxes. While I thought that the instrumental was well constructed, I thought that voice could have been better. I feel that actors such as James Earl Jones or Morgan Freeman would have been more qualified for the reading.