Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Sound of Music and its societal message
I have really tried to think about different plays that I am familiar with (the number is regretably small) and one that pops up in my head is The Sound of Music. This was set during the time when Hitler was coming into power and the world was preparing for war. It is a beautiful love story where a young nun is given a job as governess for a military widower. She falls in love with him and the children. He has to let go of his dedication to the miltary which becomes part of the Nazi party and they leave everything to escape. In the process, the family becomes a singing sensation. It is of course famous for the movie version, but the theatrical portrayal is touring all over the world. The website for the tour is http://www.soundofmusiclondon.com/favoritethings.php
Short stories into films
A few weeks ago, I caught the television rendention of the Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry . I have read this story several times and think that it is just absolultely moving in telling the true emotions of its characters. This movie starred P. Diddy, John Stamos, Phyllicia Rashad (the mother off of the Cosby Show), and many other talented actors. This story tells the saga that African Americans felt in the midst of the twentieth century while trying to get ahead and move into "white neighborhoods". The social pulls and limitations that are given to them are addressed, too. I would suggest it to anyone although the play format can be hard to read and the movie was very well done.
Short stories into films
A few weeks ago, I caught the television rendention of the Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry . I have read this story several times and think that it is just absolultely moving in telling the true emotions of its characters. This movie starred P. Diddy, John Stamos, Phyllicia Rashad (the mother off of the Cosby Show), and many other talented actors. This story tells the saga that African Americans felt in the midst of the twentieth century while trying to get ahead and move into "white neighborhoods". The social pulls and limitations that are given to them are addressed, too. I would suggest it to anyone although the play format can be hard to read and the movie was very well done.
Vulgarity in Art
Vulgarity is a word attached to so many contraversies. Who is to say something is vulgar? What institute should watchdog vulgarity including profanity and explicit images?I am one of those people that usually do not get anything funny out of vulgarity. I do not like Beavis and Butthead, the Crankyankers, or the cartoon where Kenny dies every week (I don't even remember what it is called). It sort of makes me wonder what people see in it and if my IQ lowered 10 points. However, that does not mean that I think it should be banned or whatever. Censorship is such a huge question in my head b/c I have a small child. I do not allow my daughter to see inappropriate things including vulgarity. I think it is a parent's job to monitor what children see and hear, not the government. However, this is currently not working-Parents are not doing their part in a lot of different aspects. I do think that it is harder to get the point across without the use of profanity. Old classic movies did not have the millioin dollar budgets or use a lot of cusswords, but they were awesome. I kind of miss the creative way that things were conveyed and hate hearing and seeing all the filth. It is one of the reasons that I am so glad to see the classic cartoons coming back; they have positive messages and are not realistic or vulgar.
Michael Jackson-Thriller (the dance)-Criticial Analysis
When I think of a distinct and historically significant piece of dance, I think of the Thriller video. Michael Jackson and the world recently celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of this event which freaked me out as a youngster. The song was part of the album Thriller which was originally released November 30, 1982 (michaeljackson.com). It also included other top forty hits such as Billie Jean and Beat It. It is the only album that has stayed number one two years running. Michael Jackson is known as a dance icon because he introduced the world to this dance as well as what two other eighty phenomenon?
Another reason that I chose to focus on this video and dance style was because of a conversation my husband and I just had. This dance is being featured for a sports drink with Naomi Campbell dancing with lizards. It is amazing that twenty-five years later it is still be sought after. It is also featured in a cute little movie that was recently shown on television called Thirteen Going on Thirty. It features the dance.
This video is fourteen minutes long. Michael Jackson and John Landis wrote the storyline. It cost $800,000 to make, which made it the most expensive video for its time. It is listed in the Guinness World Records as the most successful music video as it has sold over one million units. It was also choreographed by Paula Abdul. This dance is so well received that there are contests for the most people doing the dance and doing the dance the longest. People have done this dance in weddings, prisons, and with legos with examples on youtube.com (http://www.thrilltheworld.com). There are many parodies of the video, too. The video features Michael in his trademark red leather jacket walking with his girlfriend after leaving a scary movie at the theatre. In the spooky nature of the dance and video, the couple passes a dark cemetery with fog appearing. Zombies come from everywhere and surround the couple when much to the girlfriend’s surprise; Michael turns into a zombie, too. The voice of Vincent Price makes the scary nature of the dance and video more interesting. All of theses elements successfully come together to successfully form a storyline. The dance part of the video starts with Michael and approximately forty backup dancers. This part of the video lasts about three minutes. It features movements that resemble zombies moving as well as claps and jumps to the rhythm. The choreographers are successful in corresponding the spooky aspect of the video while keeping the dance upbeat and sexy. The dancers are formed in lines that form a triangle with Michael is in the center front of the rest of the zombies. The dance itself repeats itself several times and goes with the pop beat of the music. The dancers go forward, side-to-side, and turn around in the dance.
There are many interesting facts about this dance. The dancers nearly walked off of the video because of the costumes. The masks were really hard to breath in which is a the reason Michael’s character change back in the middle of the sequences. The shoes chosen are very hard to dance in and caused some of the dancers to injury themselves.
Michael, who is a Jehovah’s Witness, was sure to include a message about this video being simply for creative purposes and not supporting any cults. The disclaimer read, “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult” (michaeljackson.com).
Michael is truly an icon as he is known for many positive and negative aspects of his character and career. He is known for wearing one glove, a leather Jackson, and his trademark glasses. His signature dances also include the robot and the moonwalk (michaeljackson.com). Regardless of his personal and financial issues, Michael is an artist to be respected and revered as one of the greatest of his times. It is really interesting to google and youtube Michael and see all of the different sites and ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CzxK5BPNCA
Another reason that I chose to focus on this video and dance style was because of a conversation my husband and I just had. This dance is being featured for a sports drink with Naomi Campbell dancing with lizards. It is amazing that twenty-five years later it is still be sought after. It is also featured in a cute little movie that was recently shown on television called Thirteen Going on Thirty. It features the dance.
This video is fourteen minutes long. Michael Jackson and John Landis wrote the storyline. It cost $800,000 to make, which made it the most expensive video for its time. It is listed in the Guinness World Records as the most successful music video as it has sold over one million units. It was also choreographed by Paula Abdul. This dance is so well received that there are contests for the most people doing the dance and doing the dance the longest. People have done this dance in weddings, prisons, and with legos with examples on youtube.com (http://www.thrilltheworld.com). There are many parodies of the video, too. The video features Michael in his trademark red leather jacket walking with his girlfriend after leaving a scary movie at the theatre. In the spooky nature of the dance and video, the couple passes a dark cemetery with fog appearing. Zombies come from everywhere and surround the couple when much to the girlfriend’s surprise; Michael turns into a zombie, too. The voice of Vincent Price makes the scary nature of the dance and video more interesting. All of theses elements successfully come together to successfully form a storyline. The dance part of the video starts with Michael and approximately forty backup dancers. This part of the video lasts about three minutes. It features movements that resemble zombies moving as well as claps and jumps to the rhythm. The choreographers are successful in corresponding the spooky aspect of the video while keeping the dance upbeat and sexy. The dancers are formed in lines that form a triangle with Michael is in the center front of the rest of the zombies. The dance itself repeats itself several times and goes with the pop beat of the music. The dancers go forward, side-to-side, and turn around in the dance.
There are many interesting facts about this dance. The dancers nearly walked off of the video because of the costumes. The masks were really hard to breath in which is a the reason Michael’s character change back in the middle of the sequences. The shoes chosen are very hard to dance in and caused some of the dancers to injury themselves.
Michael, who is a Jehovah’s Witness, was sure to include a message about this video being simply for creative purposes and not supporting any cults. The disclaimer read, “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult” (michaeljackson.com).
Michael is truly an icon as he is known for many positive and negative aspects of his character and career. He is known for wearing one glove, a leather Jackson, and his trademark glasses. His signature dances also include the robot and the moonwalk (michaeljackson.com). Regardless of his personal and financial issues, Michael is an artist to be respected and revered as one of the greatest of his times. It is really interesting to google and youtube Michael and see all of the different sites and ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CzxK5BPNCA
Monday, March 10, 2008
Dance
I do believe that dance and music in general are important innate parts of our being. Spiritually, I think that it is good for our soul and can give us a higher perspective on our life and choices whether it is screaming with Coal Chamber, listening to a ballet, or hearing your favorite hymn. Early people would have taken part in this activity at an early part of development as it surely developed into higher forms with society and human culture.
I am not sure what exactly would constitute the first dance to modern day standards, but the emotional and social significance is probably the telling factor. People dance to communicate a feeling, emotion, or event to their audience. It is also a very powerful feeling to be the dancer and feel perfectly aligned with the music or emotion that you’re displaying. Cave people probably took part in a primitive form of what we consider dance today.
Babies respond to music. In fact, in neonatal units, they play classical music. It has a healing power that has not been explained yet. I played music to my daughter when I was pregnant and even read to her because the power of nonverbal and verbal communication is so important. My daughter would move to music when she was a newborn. If you think about it, lullabies help babies go to sleep which is another expression of music’s power. I was involved with dance when I was younger. I took tap, ballet, and clogged (yes, I am a redneck) until I thirteen. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have done. I was also in flag corps in high school where we did a lot of dance; including my favorite which was to music by Chicago. This was really one of my fondest memories of high school. Dance puts you in a different state of mind mentally and physically.
I am not sure what exactly would constitute the first dance to modern day standards, but the emotional and social significance is probably the telling factor. People dance to communicate a feeling, emotion, or event to their audience. It is also a very powerful feeling to be the dancer and feel perfectly aligned with the music or emotion that you’re displaying. Cave people probably took part in a primitive form of what we consider dance today.
Babies respond to music. In fact, in neonatal units, they play classical music. It has a healing power that has not been explained yet. I played music to my daughter when I was pregnant and even read to her because the power of nonverbal and verbal communication is so important. My daughter would move to music when she was a newborn. If you think about it, lullabies help babies go to sleep which is another expression of music’s power. I was involved with dance when I was younger. I took tap, ballet, and clogged (yes, I am a redneck) until I thirteen. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have done. I was also in flag corps in high school where we did a lot of dance; including my favorite which was to music by Chicago. This was really one of my fondest memories of high school. Dance puts you in a different state of mind mentally and physically.
Critical Analysis Two
The Moonlight Sonata is a piece of work that really grabs all of your attention and can somehow relate to whatever is going on in life. It was composed in 1801 by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was immensely popular when it was released in 1802. It is a 6 minute long piano sonata with three main parts. It is one of the most popular piano sonatas that Beethoven completed. Many people may not know who wrote it, but have heard it through their lifetime. The title and beginning of the sonata give the impression that it is a love story, but is this the real story behind this work?
It was originally called Quasi una fantasia which means almost a fantasy. It is the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor. It was not until 1832 when a music critic, Ludwig Prellstab, compared the work to a beautiful moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne.
The composition of this sonata is interesting because it does not follow the traditional sonata pattern where the first movement is in regular sonata form. Usually a sonata has three or four movements that follow the pattern, “fast, slow, fast, and slow”.
The first part is in Adagio Sostenuto. It creates a calm, meditative state of mind. The musician has to play this part with great delicacy and without dampers since it is marked, “si deve suonare tutto pezzo delicatissimamente e senza sordino”. It is played mostly with the right hand with a triplet rhythm accompanying it on the left hand. The musical theme of the first part may have been borrowed from a German ballad. It has been called, “one of those poems that human language does not know how to qualify”.
The second part is in Allegretto. This part of the sonnet is very small. It has been suggested that it was thought up as a bridge between the first and third part. It is denser in consistency. It fades away and prepares the listener for the tumultuous third part.
The third part is in Presto Agitato. It is twice as long as the other two parts. It is representation of a storm. Beethoven evokes a lot of passion and emotion into this part of the sonnet. It may be representative of the struggle Beethoven is feeling himself because of his internal struggles.
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most well known and renowned musicians and composers of all time. He wrote over eight hundred different works. Interestingly enough, there are hundreds of his works that have never been recorded. He was also an expert with chord progression and used these skills to his advantage to communicate to his listeners.
This piece has a very interesting background. Beethoven was visiting the Burnsick family when he wrote this piece. He had fallen in love with one of his students. The seventeen year old Countess Guilietta Guciardi was also in love with Ludwig. However, they were not allowed to marry because of her parents’ forbiddance. This was a significant blow to Beethoven who dedicated this sonata to her. Critics have stated that this is really not the reflection of a romantic moon lit night as some suggest, but a funeral hymn showing his hurt feelings in a way only Beethoven could.
This song represents life to me in a strange way. It starts of calm and happy with discord in the background. It has a lot of tempo and rhythm changes that are intertwined with the main melody. It tells the story as it gets more exciting or dynamic. In the end, you have to make peace with yourself and your faith to go on. It is really like a movie for your ears and mind because everyone can enjoy and relate to the theme of the music.
An activity that I would like to do when I am teaching again involves songs like this. I will not only try to introduce music like this to my students, but show them how this type of music can be used and enjoyed in their life. An interesting activity may be for them to listen to this song and then come up with a story to go with it. It would be interesting to see all the different perspectives and ideas students may come up.
I played this sonata to my daughter when I was pregnant and it was on her mobile and lullaby CD, as well. It is such a moving, emotional piece that I wanted to share it with her as early as possible. I think it is one of the moving pieces of music made.
This piece of music is one of the most famous in all of classical music. It is known for its power and personal relationship given from the composer to the listener. It is one of the rationales that I have for believing music is one of the most profound languages. There are not language or dialectic barriers. Anyone can hear this music and feel strongly about it.
The link I choose fort this music was a youtube video that showed works of art depicting Beethoven. I thought it was neat to intertwine the physical art with the music. It gives a dynamic point-of-view.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck
It was originally called Quasi una fantasia which means almost a fantasy. It is the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor. It was not until 1832 when a music critic, Ludwig Prellstab, compared the work to a beautiful moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne.
The composition of this sonata is interesting because it does not follow the traditional sonata pattern where the first movement is in regular sonata form. Usually a sonata has three or four movements that follow the pattern, “fast, slow, fast, and slow”.
The first part is in Adagio Sostenuto. It creates a calm, meditative state of mind. The musician has to play this part with great delicacy and without dampers since it is marked, “si deve suonare tutto pezzo delicatissimamente e senza sordino”. It is played mostly with the right hand with a triplet rhythm accompanying it on the left hand. The musical theme of the first part may have been borrowed from a German ballad. It has been called, “one of those poems that human language does not know how to qualify”.
The second part is in Allegretto. This part of the sonnet is very small. It has been suggested that it was thought up as a bridge between the first and third part. It is denser in consistency. It fades away and prepares the listener for the tumultuous third part.
The third part is in Presto Agitato. It is twice as long as the other two parts. It is representation of a storm. Beethoven evokes a lot of passion and emotion into this part of the sonnet. It may be representative of the struggle Beethoven is feeling himself because of his internal struggles.
Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most well known and renowned musicians and composers of all time. He wrote over eight hundred different works. Interestingly enough, there are hundreds of his works that have never been recorded. He was also an expert with chord progression and used these skills to his advantage to communicate to his listeners.
This piece has a very interesting background. Beethoven was visiting the Burnsick family when he wrote this piece. He had fallen in love with one of his students. The seventeen year old Countess Guilietta Guciardi was also in love with Ludwig. However, they were not allowed to marry because of her parents’ forbiddance. This was a significant blow to Beethoven who dedicated this sonata to her. Critics have stated that this is really not the reflection of a romantic moon lit night as some suggest, but a funeral hymn showing his hurt feelings in a way only Beethoven could.
This song represents life to me in a strange way. It starts of calm and happy with discord in the background. It has a lot of tempo and rhythm changes that are intertwined with the main melody. It tells the story as it gets more exciting or dynamic. In the end, you have to make peace with yourself and your faith to go on. It is really like a movie for your ears and mind because everyone can enjoy and relate to the theme of the music.
An activity that I would like to do when I am teaching again involves songs like this. I will not only try to introduce music like this to my students, but show them how this type of music can be used and enjoyed in their life. An interesting activity may be for them to listen to this song and then come up with a story to go with it. It would be interesting to see all the different perspectives and ideas students may come up.
I played this sonata to my daughter when I was pregnant and it was on her mobile and lullaby CD, as well. It is such a moving, emotional piece that I wanted to share it with her as early as possible. I think it is one of the moving pieces of music made.
This piece of music is one of the most famous in all of classical music. It is known for its power and personal relationship given from the composer to the listener. It is one of the rationales that I have for believing music is one of the most profound languages. There are not language or dialectic barriers. Anyone can hear this music and feel strongly about it.
The link I choose fort this music was a youtube video that showed works of art depicting Beethoven. I thought it was neat to intertwine the physical art with the music. It gives a dynamic point-of-view.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck
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