Category Archives: Uncategorized

Jack Becker, Creative Writing & Psychology, CC ’21 I am deeply thrilled to be presenting with the Avant Garde. When I was little, I despised music of this sort, like I did black and white movies and silent films. Now that I’m older, I’ve begun to realize the intricacies and beauties of both the AvantContinue reading “The Avant Garde”

Listening to this piece instantly made me think of the silent film era, and inadvertently Charlie Chaplin. Silent films relied on their sound track to add to the viewing experience and was probably the hardest decision of the entire production. Choosing the right soundtrack was integral to the effect your film has on the viewersContinue reading “Pierrot Lunaire, No. 18: “Der Mondfleck””

From the soft uneasiness of the introduction to its final frenzied death-dance, “The Rite of Spring” is inundated with a sense of impending doom. Desperation, hysteria, madness, helplessness — listening to it felt a bit like having a bad dream. So I wanted to choose an piece of art that could fully embody the illogicalContinue reading “Stravinsky: “The Rite of Spring””

While listening to Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” the different parts of the ballet become recognizable as distinct. But despite being made up of identifiably different parts, the oeuvre feels cohesive and thematically consistent. Overall, the piece felt forceful and dramatic. While listening to it, I was reminded of overwhelming natural phenomenon such as tsunamis,Continue reading “Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring””

Kenny Ridwan (CC ’21), History When I listened to Der Erlkonig, it reminded me of despair and sadness. It’s use of a single repetitive high note, minor tonality, along with the dissonance of certain lines add to the already building urgency and drama. Without understanding the story or the lyrics, the music already seems toContinue reading “Romantic Song: Schubert”

Mariya Grigorova Delyakova, Mathematics and Computer Science, CC’21When I first listened to the section, starting at 1:45, in Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13, Op. 130, First Movement, (https://youtu.be/f7jpSN8BDug?t=105), I was immediately reminded of folklore dancing. For my presentation, I chose a visual media response that shows dancers dressed in Bulgarian costumes that are dancing aContinue reading “Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13, Opus 130, First Movement”

Imogene Schwarz, Undecided, GS ’23 The first thing that struck me when I listened to “Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici” was the strong emphasis of the first beat in each bar of music. This rhythm is characteristic of a waltz, or a piece of music in triple meter. In the video I have chosen of penguinsContinue reading “La Traviata: “Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici””

Cassidy Williams, Undecided, CC ‘23 Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata, “Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici” The first time I heard this piece was when I went to the opera last week, so immediately the extravagant costumes and sets were associated with the music. The triple meter and repetition of the quick melody is reminiscent of a waltz,Continue reading “La Traviata: Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici”

Jonathon Cohen, Computer Science, CC ’21 The first image that came to mind when listening to this piece was that of a ballerina. The short, high notes of the piano resemble the gentle pitter-patter and tip-toeing of the ballerina on the dance floor. The rhythm is relatively fast, constant, and consistent throughout the piece, justContinue reading “Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier”

Haixin Peng When listening to the soprano aria of “Messiah” by George Frideric Handel Handel, it reminded me of the musical-like moments in Disney movies where a princess dances and sings with the accompaniment of her people. Therefore, I started searching for Disney singing excerpts and was surprised to find the resemblance between the two. Continue reading “Oratorio: “Messiah” by Handel”