Listening Journals Up for Music Since 1945

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?