Arachnophonia: Beach House “Teen Dream”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Eve (class of 2020) and features Beach House’s 2010 album Teen Dream. Thanks, Eve!

Beach House

Teen Dream

Beach House - Teen Dream

I’ve been really into the band Beach House lately, so I was excited to see that we have their 2010 album Teen Dream in our catalog!

Beach House is a dream pop duo originating in Baltimore, Maryland, that I first listened to when visiting my twin brother in Los Angeles, California. Their music is beautiful, intense, evocative and emotional, perfect for a late-night drive or particularly cinematic moment. Lead singer Victoria Legrand has an incredible voice, and the lyrics of songs like “Used to be” and “Space Song” are haunting and melancholic, speaking to existential struggle and the human condition. At the same time, Legrand’s dreamy vocals, sweeping keyboard tones and swirling organs and guitars keep a lightness to Beach House’s sound, creating a beautiful contrast between song feeling and form.

Beach House - Adam Scally and Victoria Legrand

My favorite song on Teen Dream is “Take Care”, a track in which Legrand speaks to her younger self with compassion, promising guidance and gentle care. “Take Care” embodies thew ability of Beach House’s music to be simultaneously moving and comforting, providing listeners with nostalgia but continued familiarity. I’m excited to check out tracks on the Teen Dream album that I don’t know as well, like “Walk in the Park” and “Silver Soul”, and see where Beach House’s inspiration takes me next.

Beach House - Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally

Arachnophonia: George Gershwin “Rhapsody in Blue”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Allison (class of 2022) and features George Gershwin‘s classic piece for orchestra and piano, Rhapsody in Blue. Thanks, Allison!

George Gershwin

Rhapsody in Blue

Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue

George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue was premiered in New York on February 12, 1924 by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, featuring Gershwin on the piano. Whiteman, conductor of the Palais Royal Orchestra, had previously talked with Gershwin about mixing classical music with jazz and decided that Gershwin would premiere a piece at his “Experiment in Modern Music” concert. Although Gershwin had not formally committed to composing a piece, it was already announced in the newspapers so he had to. In just five weeks, the piece was composed and rehearsed, with Gershwin playing the piano part. Interestingly, he left his piano part to be improvised during the world premiere.

Rhapsody in Blue autograph score excerpt

Gershwin’s autograph score to Rhapsody in Blue showing the iconic clarinet opening.
Image source: https://smtd.umich.edu/ami/gershwin/?p=213

Although somewhat common today, it was groundbreaking in that time period for an orchestra to play a jazz concerto. The premiere of Rhapsody in Blue was wildly successful and opened doors for many future composers to incorporate jazz elements into their music. In addition, by choosing to compose this piece, Gershwin opened many doors for himself as a composer. Prior to Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin composed scores for Broadway musicals. The piece didn’t change the trajectory of his career but expanded it as he became more well known.

George Gershwin composing at the piano. American composer,

George Gershwin composing at the piano. American composer, 1898-1937. (Source: https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2252861)

The first Gershwin piece I heard was An American in Paris while preparing for an audition. I was very intrigued by the piece but never was able to fully appreciate it until playing it with my youth orchestra. Because I loved that piece, I was excited to receive music for another Gershwin piece this semester. Rhapsody in Blue is very different from An American in Paris but both pieces are composed in a manner that is clearly Gershwin.

New CDs added – February 2020

New CDs for February 2020

Concertos and Chamber Music

Black Oak Ensemble – Silenced Voices

Black Oak Ensemble - Silenced Voices

Various Artists – Delights & Dances: Music For String Quartet and Orchestra

Delights and Dances

Popular Music

Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer

Janelle Monae Dirty Computer

Opera, Oratorios and Art Songs

George Benjamin – Lessons in Love and Violence

Lessons in Love and Violence

Julia Wolfe – Fire In My Mouth

Fire In My Mouth

Folk Music

Pete Seeger – Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection

Pete Seeger Smithsonian Folkways

Jazz & Gospel Music

The Blind Boys of Alabama – Down in New Orleans

Blind Boys of Alabama - Down In New Orleans

Arachnophonia : Norah Jones “Come Away With Me”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Emma A. (class of 2021) and features singer/songwriter Norah Jones’ 2002 album Come Away With Me. Thanks, Emma!

Norah Jones

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

One of my favorite albums (and singers) is Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me.This might sound odd, but it’s what I most frequently listen to when cooking or baking — it’s the perfect rainy day music.

Her tone is so soft and sweet and her songs are very melodic. I love that intertwines jazz and blues because it’s hard to find that type of music now. Jones was a lot more popular in the early 2000s — I was first introduced to the album when my mom and dad would play it in our house when I was in elementary school.

She has lots of awards and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. In the beginning of the 2000s Billboard deemed her the top jazz artist of the decade. She has won nine Grammys and writes her own songs as well as plays the piano.

Norah Jones in 2007

Norah Jones at Bright Eyes at Town Hall 29 May 2007 (credit: Yaffa)

Come Away With Me is the album that kick started her career and launched many of her songs into popularity. The album is a fusion of jazz with country, blues, folk and pop. It was certified diamond, meaning that it sold over 27 million copies. This album alone was enough to win Jones five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. My personal favorite songs from the album are “Don’t Know Why” and “Shoot the Moon,” but all of the songs are so unique and enjoyable in their own way. I tend to listen to a lot of mainstream pop because it’s always on everywhere and I want to stay up-to-date on all the trending music, however, this is a nice change of pace from that. I think it’s important to listen to a wide range of artists and music, and Norah Jones is the kind of singer that I believe almost everyone would like.

Some other singers that mirror her musical vibe are Diana Krall, Corinne Bailey Rey, Alicia Keys, Adele, and Duffy. I’d say her style is a bit more laid back and the songs aren’t as fit for blasting on the radio, but her songs are written about similar themes and use little auto-tuning or electronics.