I have a music history listening exam tonight. In two hours to be exact and I admit I am squeezing in some last minute cramming. Yes, it hurts a bit, but still I press on.
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I think the strangest piece I have to learn about is The Banshee by Henry Cowell. It requires two performers. One relaxes on the piano bench (I would volunteer for that!) and does all the pedalling, the other as you can see stands in the nook of the piano creating these unearthly sounds. This was written in 1925 and I can only imagine what they must've thought of it back then. Cowell describes a banshee as "a woman of the Inner World...who is charged with the duty of taking your soul into the Inner World when you die...She has to come to the outer plane for this purpose, and she finds the outer plane very uncomfortable and unpleasant, so you will hear her wailing at the time of a death in your family." Strange no?
I think the strangest piece I have to learn about is The Banshee by Henry Cowell. It requires two performers. One relaxes on the piano bench (I would volunteer for that!) and does all the pedalling, the other as you can see stands in the nook of the piano creating these unearthly sounds. This was written in 1925 and I can only imagine what they must've thought of it back then. Cowell describes a banshee as "a woman of the Inner World...who is charged with the duty of taking your soul into the Inner World when you die...She has to come to the outer plane for this purpose, and she finds the outer plane very uncomfortable and unpleasant, so you will hear her wailing at the time of a death in your family." Strange no?
On a much lighter and very contrasting note, I also am studying Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got that Swing. Love Ella's voice!
Thanks for joining me in my study of music in the 20th and 21st centuries. Hope you're all having a wonderful week. I wish you all God's love and no wailing banshees.
Oh, my! I wish you all the best of luck, Courtney!!! ;D I'm sure you'll do great! Fingers crossed for you! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a question: what kind of music do you enjoy listening to? There's one soprano from Argentina who used to have an electronic band and although it might sound like a strange combination, their songs were awesome! Love them!
Hahaha, thanks for dropping by! I'm glad you found my poopy post funny ;D.
Hey! Your bracelet got really good compliments! ;p I wore it once but forgot to take my camera, boo!
Hugs!!!
Miki.
Did you learn about the piece where the musician took his seat at the piano and sat for 4 minutes and something seconds, then recorded the sounds of the audience waiting for music--and THAT was the performance!
ReplyDeleteThese kinds of things intrigue me.
I hope the test went well!
Hope you did well on your exam! So good to meet you! Can't wait to get to know you better!
ReplyDelete♥ Kyna
Eep, the banshee piece sounds freaky! I almost pressed play to hear it, but then I decided not to do that at 7:20 in the morning. I don't think my ears can handle wailing banshees right now. =) Hope your test went well!
ReplyDeleteLOVE ella fitzgerald. music is amazing to me! love the new header too by the way. i know you will rock that exam!
ReplyDelete