Listening to our World

Music since 1945 Listening Journals

2011-05-06T09:39:00.002-05:00

We've finally come to the end of the semester and the end of another round of 352WI students writing about the music they encounter. This year's students were all eager to explore music a bit off the beaten path, more than usual, so if you look you'll see blog postings about Anthony Braxton, Libby Larson, and Philip Glass's pioneering opera Einstein on the Beach, seen here in legos:

And isn't that a perfect way to end the semester. See you next year!

1900-1945 Listening Journals

2011-04-05T15:37:00.002-05:00

Another batch of listening journals is up for your enjoyment, this time all from the time period of 1900-1945. One of the students approached her piece as though it were a part of Disney's Fantasia, so in that spirit, here is another early twentieth century work as imagined by the artists at Disney:

As usual, you can find links to the listening journals on the right hand side of the blog.

Classical Listening Journals

2011-02-08T15:05:00.002-06:00

It's time for listening journals in Conservatory 352WI again, and this year we have three writers bringing new listening journals for you to read once a month. Their blogs are listed at the blogroll to the right, so dig in and discover some music from the Classical period that you might have overlooked.

Listening Journals Up for Music Since 1945

2010-05-05T14:46:00.003-05:00

We're knee-deep in finals right now, which means that students are busy with projects including their last listening journal. In many ways, the music from the past 60 years is among the most diverse that we have explored and is a good opportunity to uncover styles you never even considered, like Meredith Monk's vocal virtuosity or John Zorn's stylistic cornucopia. So take the time to listen through the list at the right and be sure to let the students know if you've been enjoying their writing.

1900-1945 Listening Journals Available

2010-03-28T13:45:00.002-05:00

Just in time for Spring Break, the listening journals for music from 1900-1945 have been posted. With this unit, we've entered into music that many are either unfamiliar with or perhaps a bit nervous about. In fact, this video sums up many people's reactions to this music.

Music in the early 20th century certainly was full of brash experimentation, but it produced music as strange and as beautiful as any ever produced. You can find out about some of that music by digging into the blogroll at the right. Enjoy!

Romantic Listening Journals Now Available

2010-02-26T13:41:00.002-06:00

We're approaching the mid-point of the semester, which means we are rapidly nearing the end of the Romantic era in 352. Over the past month, we've watched how our standard performing repertoire was created and listened to Beethoven and Schumann and Wagner and Verdi, but what of those composers who were important in their day but forgotten now like Louis Spohr? What of those composers who are interesting sidelights few ever experience like Anthony Philip Heinrich? These listening journals will give you a chance to peek under the hood of Romantic music and see perhaps what those living at the time thought about the music that was happening all around them. As usual, you'll find them through the blogroll on the right. Enjoy!

Classical Listening Journals

2010-02-08T14:09:00.002-06:00

Although we are firmly in February, in many ways this fourth week of class still seems like one of the first weeks. However, by the listening journals that are now posted by students taking 352WI, we know that a quarter of our semester is already behind us. The five students listed in the blogroll to the right have been listening to little-known music by established masters like Mozart and even less-known music by composers many have never encountered like Madalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen. I know you'll enjoy reading their thoughts and joining in their conversation through the comments, so pick a link and enjoy.

Listening Journals for Music Since 1945

2009-05-01T12:17:00.002-05:00

We've finally reached the last day of classes in the spring 2009 semester, and so the students have just published their last listening journal. The music for this journal is perhaps the most unfamiliar to the students and to you, but offers a world of unique sounds, such as this clip from John Oswald's "Plunderphonics" version of Stravinsky's familiar Rite of Spring:

You can read about Plunderphonics in several of the journals this time.

We hope you have enjoyed this semester's exploration of music off the beaten path. And as always, feel free to join in our conversation.

1900-1945 Listening Journals

2009-04-13T14:51:00.002-05:00

During Spring Break, diligent music history students spent time writing thought-provoking blog postings instead of relaxing and vacationing. Alright, perhaps they did not spend the entire week listening to music and responding to it in writing, but they certainly put much time and attention into these postings which are among the most provocative they have written. Be certain to go to their blogs, read their thoughts, and join in our conversation about music that often gets overlooked but deserves a second glance.

Romantic Listening Journals

2009-03-12T13:32:00.002-05:00

I'm a bit behind this week, but do not want to forget to point you to the Romantic listening journals which are now posted and commented on for your enjoyment. You'll read several takes on Albéniz’s Suites españolas, a give and take on historicity in music through Louis Spohr's Historical Symphony, and be exposed to the fascinating (and undervalued) music of Anthony Philip Heinrich. Go on and read a few. Where else will you learn about The Ornithological Combat of Kings?

Classical Listening Journals

2009-02-10T17:18:00.002-06:00

The first round of listening journals is now available from the 352WI students this spring. You'll find a wide variety on the blogroll to your right, from Mozart's flue and harp concerto to a little known opera called The Indian Princess by John Bray. Take a few moments, read some of the responses to these entries especially, and perhaps take the time to join in our ongoing conversation about music.

Welcome to a New Year

2009-01-27T15:59:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again, when schools starts back after a long winter's nap and students are eager to share their learning. And so it is here at 352's blog. This blog is for students involved in a writing intensive course at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Here in a few days I'll list the new blog postings by these intrepid eight students, postings that explore music from Western musical history that perhaps you've never encountered before.

So until that time, take a few minutes and visit their blogs, get to know them. And we'll be back in a few days with a brand new set of musical blogs on the Classical Era.

Music since 1945 Listening Journals Now Up

2008-05-06T14:52:00.002-05:00

The years since 1945 have witnessed an explosion of music, from radical alterations to jazz and "classical" music to the rise of popular genres from rock to hip-hop. Recording technology has changed how we experience that music and, in many ways, fundamentally shaped it as well. For this last listening journal, the class looked at some of the more off-the-beaten path works and I think you'll find their findings and impressions intriguing. As always, these blogs can be found by clicking the links on the right-hand side of the page.

Derek Jenkins: Harry Partch’s The Bewitched and Shulamit Ran's Excursions

Edgar Palacios: Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach

Jacque Conover: Ben Johnston’s Fourth String Quartet (Amazing Grace) and Meredith Monk’s Dolmen Music

Karen Anton: Libby Larsen'Deep Summer Music and Harry Partch’s The Bewitched

Katie Kalinowski: Ben Johnston’s Fourth String Quartet (Amazing Grace) and Arnold Schoenberg's A Survivor from Warsaw

Marcus Wiggins: Arnold Schoenberg's A Survivor from Warsaw and John Zorn’s Cat O’ Nine Tails

Mary Ann Lucas: La Monte Young's The Well-Tuned Piano

Mike Herrera: Pauline Oliveros's Sound Patterns and Ben Johnston’s Fourth String Quartet (Amazing Grace)

Paul Shinn: Ben Johnston’s Fourth String Quartet (Amazing Grace) and John Zorn’s Cat O’ Nine Tails

Peter Lawless: John Oswald's Plunderphonics and Alvin Lucier's I Am Sitting In A Room

Richard Gibson: Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach

Tom Marks: Meredith Monk's Dolmen Music and Mikel Rouse's Dennis Cleveland

Music from 1900-1945 Listening Journals Now Up

2008-04-06T13:59:00.000-05:00

In the early 20th century, many composers reacted against Romanticism in their compositions. They looked for ways to advance music while not replicating what had come before. This set of listening journals shows that listeners today react just as strongly to those reactions as the original composers reacted to Romanticism. Reactionary reactions? Persuasive reading in any event:

Derek Jenkins: William Walton's Facade and Alexander von Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony

Edgar Palacios: Mexican Orchestral Music and works by Carlos Chavez

Jacque Conover: Lucille Field singing songs by American women composers and William Walton's Facade

Karen Anton: William Walton's Facade and Alexander von Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony

Katie Kalinowski: Zoltán Kodály's Psalmus Hungaricus and Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto

Kevin Sweet: Selections from Heitor Villa Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras and Vivaldiana by Gian Francesco Malipiero

Marcus Wiggins: Alexander von Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony and Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto

Mary Ann Lucas: Selected works of Marion Bauer and Vivaldiana by Gian Francesco Malipiero

Mike Herrera: Selected works of Marion Bauer and Vivaldiana by Gian Francesco Malipiero

Paul Shinn: The Hall Johnson Songbook and selected works of Marion Bauer

Peter Lawless: Mexican Orchestral Music and slected works of Marion Bauer

Richard Gibson: Selections from Heitor Villa Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras and Vivaldiana by Gian Francesco Malipiero

Tom Marks: Karol Szymanowski's King Roger

Romantic Listening Journals Now Up

2008-03-06T11:30:00.005-06:00

It is slowly beginning to turn into spring, and as spring comes, a young man's thoughts to to Romantic music. Or something along those lines.

Continuing our walk through history, the students of 352WI have posted their latest batch of listening journals, this time focused on music from the Romantic Era. Follow a few of the links to the left, see what they have to say, comment if you feel so led, and enjoy discovering new music.

Derek Jenkins: Stanislaw Moniuszko’s Halka

Edgar Palacios: Anthony Heinrich’s The Ornithological Combat of Kings and selected works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Jacque Conover: Luigi Cherubini’s Medea

Karen Anton: Louis Spohr's Symphony no.6, the “Historical,” and Maria Szymanowska's Etudes and Nocturnes

Katie Kalinowski: Isaac Albéniz’s Suite Espanola nos. 1 and 2, and selections from the music of music of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Louise Farrenc, and Marie Grandval

Kevin Sweet: Selected works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Isaac Albéniz’s Suite Espanola nos. 1 and 2

Marcus Wiggins: Selections from the music of music of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Louise Farrenc, and Marie Grandval and Isaac Albéniz’s Suite Espanola nos. 1 and 2

Mary Ann Lucas: Selected works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Louis Spohr's Symphony no.6, the “Historical”

Mike Herrera: Isaac Albéniz’s Suite Espanola nos. 1 and 2

Paul Shinn: Felix Mendelssohn's Paulus

Peter Lawless: Chamber music by selected German women composers and selected works of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Tom Marks: Felix Mendelssohn's Paulus

Classical Listening Posts Up For Your Enjoyment

2008-02-06T09:43:00.000-06:00

It's a cold and snow day here in Kansas City, the Conservatory has closed its doors against the cold and against faculty and students, and you're wondering what to do with your day.

We say open your ears, listen, and then see what we have to say about that music. The students in 352WI have completed their first set of listening journals after listening to music from the Classical Period that is off the beaten track a bit. I've listed the pieces they each covered; you can find their blogs in the blogroll on the right. Find a few that strike your fancy, follow the links, enjoy their their thoughts, comment, and join our online community.

Derek Jenkins: Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K. 299 and Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, “Die 4 Weltalter” (The 4 Ages of Man)

Edgar Palacios: John Bray’s The Indian Princess and Make a Joyful Noise, a collection of sacred hymns

Jacque Conover: Padre Anotonio Soler’s Works for Harpsichord and American Psalmody, Make a Joyful Noise

Karen Anton: John Bray’s The Indian Princess and Four Regimental Marches by Amalie, Princess of Prussia

Katie Kalinowski: William Billings’s The Continental Harmonist and a recording of Orchestral Music from the Mannheim School

Kevin Sweet: Padre Anotonio Soler’s Works for Harpsichord and John Bray’s The Indian Princess

Marcus Wiggins: William Billings’s The Continental Harmonist and Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K. 299

Mary Ann Lucas: Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen’s Concerto No. 5 in B-Flat for Violin and Orchestra and Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K. 299

Mike Herrera: John Bray’s The Indian Princess and Make a Joyful Noise, a collection of sacred hymns

Paul Shinn: Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K. 299 and American Psalmody, Make a Joyful Noise

Peter Lawless: Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K. 299 and Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, “Die 4 Weltalter” (The 4 Ages of Man)

Tom Marks: Salieri’s (yes, that Salieri) Falstaff

Welcome

2008-01-09T16:43:00.000-06:00

We live in a world that takes music for granted. Music bombards us in stores, waiting rooms, on TV and the internet, surrounding and enveloping us - yet we rarely hear it. Instead of listening, we talk over music, using it as the soundtrack of our lives, letting it slip by almost unnoticed except in its absence. Instead of listening, we use music to define ourselves, dividing the world into people who like certain genres and forms of music and comfortably settling into our niche, rarely venturing outside it.

This blog is a gateway to a group of students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Conservatory of Music and Dance who are dedicated to listening. They are exploring music often overlooked or even unheard and engaging it. They are writing their impressions, their reactions to this music on their own blogs and creating a community of listeners who hear with their ears, their minds, and their hearts.

Under the list on the right, you'll see the list of these students. Go to their blogs, read their thoughts, listen to the music with them, comment on their ideas, and join their community. Begin to listen to your world.