Listening (Crumb, George - Ancient Voices of Children (1970), "The child is finding his voice"

In this piece Crumb uses a lot of singing into the piano to create that tense sound. Also he creates a sound that is very profound. The clicking she creates with her voice is a new style of music that I have only heard in African tribal music. Also the performance of this piece is seems very difficult because of the frequent change it pitch. In between phrases the singer goes from a low pitch a high with the sound resinating in the inside of the piano. I thought that this composition was innovative because it introduced the different effects that a human voice can create when played into a piano and through a microphone.

Listening (Schuller (7 Studies on Themes of Paul Klee)

This composition is very stylistic of Arabic music is unique. The use of the flute in a minor key creates a sound of intrigue. Also the background sound of a light drum adds to the theme of the song. The strings also provide an important background sound. I thought that the piece does an interesting job of having singular instruments playing at different times. This allows for a more inspirational vibrato within the piece. In the Little Devil the use of the strings and the percussion almost seem like they are on different time patterns. This composition however has a more jazz element to it. Again the use of ride cymbal provides for a swing type of feel.

Listening Crumb, George - Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land (1970), Image 4+5: Devil-music

The creation of this composition is extremely innovative. Crumb used a violin bow and played in on the side of a cymbal to create a intense sound. He also would play that sound into the inside of a piano with the pedal down. This is interesting because it would alter the sound of the instrument. The sound would become muted. Also Crumb liked to mic all of his music up because he felt that the audience would get a different experience listening to it from speakers rather than from the stage. I feel that he could use the different position of the speakers to alter to direction of the sound. The music was very amplified, which created a more modern sound. I thought that this piece was a new way to demonstrate the several ways that an instrument can be used to create sound.

Listening (Penderecki, Krzysztof - Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima (1960)

This musical composition is very representation of its title. I feel that the violins to a great job of representing the emotional chaos that the victims of Hiroshma experienced. Also the strings combination of sound also create the effect of a siren of a siren or an airplane flying over by. The music that I can relate this to music specifically is the music in the television show LOST. In the show the music uses the chromatic incline in strings to create an extremely tense sound that puts the audience on the edge of their seat. This music has the same affect on the audience. Again, the high pitch sound almost sounds like a scream of death. Overall the piece has a serious and tense sound that perfectly represents the emotions of the victims of a nuclear explosion.

Listening (Reich (Violin Phase)

Violin phrase is a good change of pace from chance music, because the music can now be notated. The extensive us of repeats is an interesting alteration on conventional music. While the two violins seem to play the same thing they start out at different places and cycle in and out of time together. I thought that the use of violins to show a repetitive style of music is a good idea because the violin is a very demonstrative instrument. The gradual introduction of each violin adds an additional element to the composition. Also the intensity to perform this song must be very high. While the ability to play the phrase would be easy, playing the phrase over and over again within the same time would be extremely challenging.

Listening (Babbitt, Milton - All Set (1957)

This is a combination of Jazz music in performing of a composition in a pitch class. I can tell how this music is representative of jazz. The instruments in the piece are very similar to those in a jazz band. There is a mallet, trumpet, sax, upright bass, snare and bass drum, and trombone. At times I can somewhat feel a swing in the music, even though it might be for a minute or two. The use of the ride cymbal is an example of the jazz element in the piece. I feel that Babbitt's combination of jazz music and pitch music was an interesting way of expanding the music of chance.

Listening ( Stockhausen, Karlheinz - Klavierstuck XI (1956)

This chance music is interesting because of the way the score is notated. In this piece you look randomly at a part of the score and you have to play that idea and then you play another idea until you get to the first idea three times. Once you play the first idea three times then the piece is other. I feel that this is music for the sole fact that it involves the striking of keys on the piano. Like Cage's Music of Changes this piece is random and contains indeterminacy. I can see were this piece has some musical elements. I feel that random music is still a type of music.

Listening (Cage, John - 4'33")

My feelings towards this composition in a musical aspect are negative. I feel that Cage is incorrect in calling this work a musical piece. There are simply instruction on when to open the lid of the piano and when to close it. However, I do feel that this composition is an philosophic idea. I think that by just listening to the sounds around you you are able to get a random collection of noises. While Cage thought that this was music I do not. I can see how he believes that it is music, because styles such as serialism sound like random notes to the untrained ear, however they are not. I also see how if you put pitches to these random noises during 4' 33" than that might be music.

Listening (Cage, John - Music of Changes (1951)

Music of Change is a composition that is played by somewhat randomly playing keys on the piano. There is not notation to this piece, however I do consider this music. I only feel this way because there is a musical instrument involved in the composition. Also there is a dynamic contrast and articulation. While Cage was the first person to think of this idea I feel that anyone could do this. This is why I consider his music more of an idea than a musical composition. Within the piece there are changes from a high register to a low one. This is a musical device that can give the piece its small musical element. Otherwise I feel this is a collection of notes.

#14 Iannis Xenakis

I liked the fact that Xenakis was one of the first composers to combine mathematics and science to the creation of electronic music. He used this scientific idea to develop a new musical structure. While he used science he also used indeterminacy, however it was not as extreme as Cage. Xenakis also does not agree with Cage and believes that his music was "unscientific". The music that Xenakis created was "stochastic" because it was related to the probability theory. I feel he did this because of his extensive involvement in math and science. Also he feels that this music is a collection of sequences. I liked Xenakis's innovative ideas with music composition and science.

#13 Karlheinz Stockhausen

I thought that it was interesting how Stockhausen was a composer of integral serialism and analyzed electronic music. This combination was never done by any other composer. I also thought that it was extremely useful that he set guidelines for electronic composition. The aspect that I felt was the most important was the characteristic differentiation among degrees of intensity. I thought that this was important in electronic music because you can adjust the dynamic of the instrument, but you can also can the frequency. Altering the frequency is an important part of electronic music.

#5 Milton Babbitt

The ideas that Babbitt proposes are very similar to John Cage's ideas. He believes that musical thought has changed tremendously and that music is open to any interpretation. He believes that serious music is only supposed to be for the small and elite public. I think that his theory that if music doesn't evolve that it will cease to live. This is an interesting statement, and I agree with it. If music didn't change than we would have nothing new to listen to. Additionally, I feel that people develop ideas off of other music, so I think that it is inevitable to stop the evolution of music.

#4 John Cage

While Cage is considered the most controversial and most influential composer of his time, I feel that he was controversial. I thought that it was a valid point to talk about the development of recording process, however the development of his music doesn't correct to me. I feel that no one can limit what he does with instruments or the piano however he can't call it music. I feel that Cage was more of a philosopher rather than a musician. He explains how music can be unintentional sounds, however I disagree with his because than every sound every heard is music; that is not the case. To me I feel that Cage was a great thinker and one of the greatest innovators of sound in his time, just not music.

Listening (Stravinksy, Igor - In Memoriam Dylan Thomas (1954)

I felt like Stravinsky spent a good deal of time on this piece to make sure that it was what he intended it to be. I think this because it was more his friend and colleague that he was going to collaborate with. Thomas died of alcohol poisoning, and I feel that this composition most accurately describes his memory. This piece seems somewhat serial because of the jumps from notes. The poem that the lyrics are not based on the rage of his death, however they are a struggle for his Thomas's father to work hard. Since his father was blind he doesn't want him to go dark into the night. I thought that this was interesting because the picture of Thomas and his incident with drugs seems like he wouldn't have this caring emotion.

Listening (The Rake's Progress (1951) Act I, last scene)

I thought that it was interesting how Stravinsky used "Rake's Progress" by Hograth as the idea for his composition. This piece was created around Bach's time. I would have thought that Stravinsky would have chosen an art selection more recent. I like that this art selection has a lot of emotion because it provides for a more captivating piece. The scene that this composition is about is when Sarah is deciding between Tom and her father. This creates tension between to pulling forces. This tension can be seen when the piece graduates into a faster tempo. Stravinsky has written many compositions, and I feel that this one contains the most emotion.

Listening (Varese, Edgard - Poeme electronique (1957-1958)

Well many don't consider this music I feel that it is an interesting an innovative way to use technology. The use of technology and synthesizers create completely new sounds that have never been experienced. I personally like how Varése changes the frequency of pitches to create a soft then loud sound. I also like how he uses many electronic pitches at different frequencies. I thought that it was interesting how he uses someone yawning and saying random pitches. Overall, I thought that this sound was interesting look on electronics. Additionally, since I have Bose headphones it was particularly evident how he moves pitches from speaker to speaker.

Listening (Copland, Aaron - Piano Fantasy (1955-1957)

This composition shows the Copland's diversity when composing music. This piece might seem random, but Copland had great intentions for the piece. I like how he goes from high to low and then back to high. This creates a wide range of emotion when listening to the song. Changing the pitch level is an affect that he used to gather a reaction from his audience. I thought that it was interesting that when he was interview about this piece that he simply stated that it was an "A,B,A" format. This doesn't seem right because there are rules that should be applied to those types of compositions. Additionally, I like how Copland was not a fan of explaining his work; he let the audience determine his compositions.

Listening (Barber, Samuel - Knoxville, Summer of 1915 (1949)

I thought that this composition had a neat way to connect the strings with the voice in the beginning of the piece. The voice was very smooth and easy going, however the piece transitions into a more serious and energetic section. I thought that composition told a story. During the more energetic section the orchestra has lines that are repeated several times back and forth. I thought that this created tension within the composition. This is an American Opera that had an impact on the influence of the music of its generation.

Listening (The - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), "A Day in the Life"

This selection by the Beatles is such an emotional song that has several creative ideas within it. The song's transitions with orchestra cresendos are very unique and were only added after the entire song was recorded. The piano chord at the end of the song also was added post recording. The song has an interesting choice of lyrical selection. Most believe that the lyrics were about Lennon and McCarthy's friend who died. Another think that I found interesting was that the ending E Major chord was played by three people simultaneously. I really enjoy this song and have listened to it extensively before entering this class. However now that I have entered the course I can see the somewhat expressionistic and modernists-tic in this piece.

Listening (Brown, James - "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (1965)

This song is a combination of soul music and rock. Similar to Elvis, James Brown was an innovator for his time. The use of brass section in a louder manner is an interesting twist on conventional jazz. Also the style in which Brown sings it makes it seem that he is almost yelling at the audience rather than serenading them. A unique feature that Brown uses is speaking over the sax solo throughout the piece. I liked how the song had a free feeling throughout it. It almost seemed that Brown was improving his singing.

Listening (Presley, Elvis - "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956)

This song is extremely important to the development of rock music in the 1950's. Since this was the first type of music that made people scream to was accepted as innovative. The use of Elvis's suave voice and the harsh guitar playing was a new to the rock scene. Additionally, it is a combination of rock, blues, and gospel which was never attempted before this composition. I have a cover of this song by Billy Joel. I feel that Joel's more developed rendition of the song is slightly more enjoyable than the more basic one Presley wrote. Overall, this song is the most important compositions in the Rock and Roll era.

Listening (Jazz (Parker)

I thought this piece sounded more new jazz than the works of Armstrong and Ellington. This composition contained a free sounding alto saxophone. The introduction of the sax provides a new element in the jazz scene. The sax is such an important element because it combines the sound of a brass instrument and the mobility of a reeded instrument. Additionally, this song seems to have only four members performing; a sax, piano, drums, and bass. This seems like a new jazz quartet with much of the song focused around improv solo.

Listening (Still (Afro-American Symphony)

This composition by Still was a piece similar to Rhapsody in Blue because it combined Orchestra with a blues/jazz element. The song also uses a harmon mute with wah effect in the trumpet. This sound is very characteristic of jazz. I liked how Still composed the piece with a softer sound than Gershwin; it gives the song a more relaxed feel. Towards the first third of the piece with use of the strings and flute give the song a more romantic feel. These two separate elements go back and forth throughout the piece. At the end of the piece there is a balence between romantic elements and jazz. I enjoyed this composition's innovation an relaxed emotions.

Listening (Copland (Piano Variations, Appalachian Spring)

While Aaron Copland has several different composition styles I thought that this piece was the most characteristic and influential. I felt that the themes he created were extremely patriotic, each time them I felt that I was in an American battlefield during the colonial era. While these time don't match up this was my response to the music. I thought that the trumpet fanfare in the seventh scene was demonstrative of this the American theme. Furthermore, the finale of the seventh scene had an epic and grandioso feel. This composition was very appeasing to the ear.

Listening (Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess)

This composition by George Gershwin was my favorite piece to date that we have studied. I thought that its combination of piano solo, jazz, and orchestra was extremely effective and captivating. The main lick of the piece is repeated several times, however each time it is performed on a different instrument with a unique style. My favorite was when the solo trumpet had the line, and he played it with a harmon mute and wah effect. This effect was very interesting because the sound a harmon mute produces is very jazzy and intrusive. Additionally, I really liked the loud sounds of the brass with the backing of strings. Overall, a wonderful piece that I can say is one of my most influential songs of the 20th century.

#26 William Grant Still

Still was an extremely important composer of the 20th because of his racial barrier accomplishment. I feel that it was important that he was the first African American to compose a symphony performed by a major orchestra. He credits most of his life to the learning under Varése. I thought it was interesting how he felt the music consumed his life. He believed that he became the music's servant rather than its master. I feel that this shows how devoted he was to music. His second great accomplishment was the creation of racial music. He found a great influence within his own community and race. While one would assume that his devotion would render Still as a narrow minded composer, he actually "remain[ed] receptive to all" forms of music(151).

#40 Nadia Boulanger

Boulanger was an important influence on American Music, while providing an insightful look on the its development. During her two interview I felt that she was a person that had a clear understanding of what American Music had been and what it is now. She explains how everything in music is in "questions" and the those who create an answer for that question help develop a new type of music. Additionally, she cites an experience with Stravinsky that further proves the questioning of music. The story involves Stravinsky becoming upset at a colleague for agree wtih his ideas. Stravinsky was upset because the colleague agreed with him for the "wrong reasons". I thought that this was an interesting example of how everyone has a differing opinion on music.

#45 Carl Dahlhaus

I feel that Carl Dahlhaus was an innovative thinker when organizing music within the 20th century. The idea that music is not a singular term is an idea that displays an "out of the box" theory. I agree with the idea that since that there are many different cultures there isnt a singular music, however several musics. I feel that this idea would be developed in the 20th century because of the advancement of technology. Dalhaus's example that a pop song does not belong with a 12 tone composition proves his idea that there should be several musics. I agree with Dalhaus that there are several types of cultural music, however I don't feel that there should be several musics. I feel that this would just cause confusion.

#42 Leonard B. Meyer

I thought the ideas of Meyer were interesting because of his connection with the adaptation of stylistic music. I agree with his idea that music will change inevitably change. I feel that he believes that music is always adapting to its surroundings. His theory of "postmodern" was well developed, however it wasn't made famous until his book Music, the Arts, and Ideas. He feels that while there will be new methods and directions in the world of music these new developments will not alter the existing styles. I agree with this thought for many reasons. An example would be the guitar and the use of distortion. You can compose a song, however the only difference will be the sound that the guitar produces.

#38 Steven Connor

Steven Connor's views on "live" performances has an elementary and profound outlook. The idea that artists over the last decades what been infatuated with providing a crowd with a energy driven performance. I thought that Connor's theory on Springsteen was extremely accurate. I feel that there is a connection between the performer and the audience and he does a good job of drawing this phenomenon. I can make a connection between this theory and my actual experiences. In my band we play modern rock music, however we pride ourselves on how "hard" we can rock out. We try to have a lot of energy when we perform. We do this because we feel that our emotions and mood will "rub off"on the audience.

#10 Edgard Varése

I thought that it was interesting how Varése used his science background to create a new style of music. Modernist music is based upon new innovations, and the use of audio technology in music was a clever way to create a modern way to represent music. His description of trivium and quadrivium was an intellectual way to connect art and science in the middle ages to the ways Varése's music was being produced. Modernist music was extremely prevalent during the 2oth century because of the technological advances such as audio delays and distortion. I agree with his view that the increase in electronics is a "additive, not a destructive"(74). He furthers descibes how this innovation has been good because it has created a new medium for music.