Parsons Playlists: Phonk

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features phonk, a subgenre of hip hop and trap music which is popular in Russia.

Phonk

Phonk songs, especially Drift phonk, usually use distorted/sampled sounds that most of us are familiar with. Regardless, these phonk songs sound quite different from those melodies you might know and love, to the point where you wouldn’t guess in a thousand years that music pieces that you listen to on a regular basis are used for their creation.

This phonk comes from Russia, however more recent works that become popular are in English (That is, of course, if they have any lyrics at all.)

Phonk - Angry Skeleton purple background

PLAYAMANE x Nateki – “MIDNIGHT”

VISXGE – “IMMACULATE”

SHADXWBXRN, ARCHEZ, KXNVRA – “PRINCE OF DARKNESS”

donttrustthem – “PHONK – all alone”

MoonDeity – “NEON BLADE”

MC ORSEN – “WARNING”

ONIMXRU x SMITHMANE – “SHADOW”

Isolate.exe – “Crystals”

АДЛИН — “Dead Inside”

KORDHELL – “MURDER IN MY MIND”

MC Mazzie – “Ele Te Bota Soca Soca” Feat. Mc RD (DJ Wizard e DJ NpcSize)

Freddie Dredd – “Devil’s Work”

Funk Tribu – “Phonky Tribu”

Ezekiel – “help_urself (prod.dyn remix)”

KUTE – “AVOID ME”

líue – “Suffer With Me”

GRAVECHILL – “Twilight”

PlayaPhonk – “KERAUNOS”

PlayaPhonk – “PHONKY TOWN”

PASTEL GHOST – “Silhouette”

Dxrk ダーク – “RAVE”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZextsRtFgHC_dcqnR0d4GkMm

Parsons Playlists: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Midnights”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs inspired by Taylor Swift’s newest album Midnights.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Midnights

This playlist is inspired by Taylor Swift’s latest album. If you liked Midnights, check out these ten songs similar to her latest tracks!

Taylor Swift - Midnights

Doja Cat – “Been Like This”

Harry Styles – “Daylight”

Billie Eilish – “TV”

Taylor Swift – “Cornelia Street”

Arcade Fire – “My Body Is A Cage”

Dua Lipa – “Boys Will Be Boys”

Coco & Clair Clair – “Pretty”

Lana Del Ray – “13 Beaches”

Born At Midnite – “Hawt Heart”

Troy Sivan – “Easy”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewUUyWFhQfDSJDIm3st-Y7q

Arachnophonia: “In the Hall of the Mountain King”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) 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 assistant Amy (class of 2025) and features “In the Hall of the Mountain King”. Thanks, Amy!

“In the Hall of the Mountain King”

In the Hall of the Mountain King - Peer Gynt

Ibsen Peer Gynt Before The King Of The Trolls Illustration By Arthur Rackham (1867-1939)

With Halloween nearing, now is the perfect time to listen to a classic “scary” piece of classical music: “In the Hall of the Mountain King” – incidental music by composer Edvard Grieg from Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt.

Peer Gynt tells the story of a man, Peer, who is in love with a girl he is not allowed to marry. After leaving home, he ends up in the hall of the Mountain King after being captured by trolls. The King of the Trolls upsets him when he refuses to marry the King’s daughter and become a troll. In the end, Peer barely makes it out by running away from the trolls. The piece “In the Hall of the Mountain King” plays when Peer insults the king, and the trolls start to chase him as he runs away.

The drama was written by Henrik Ibsen, who originally did not want the show to ever be performed. However, 7 years later, Ibsen changed his mind and asked Edvard Grieg to write the music for the production. The show premiered on February 24, 1876, in Mollergaden Theatre, Christiania, which is now Oslo, Norway. Grieg re-orchestrated the music before productions in Copenhagen, Denmark. During a revival of the show in 1902, he added new pieces to the show. The score was finally published a year after Grieg died, in 1908.

The piece starts out slow with quiet notes to simulate the quiet footsteps of Peer as he tries and sneaks away from the Troll King. The music grows louder as the trolls slowly get closer to Peer. The music swells as Peter starts running and fighting off the trolls, trying to get away.

You can listen to Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” in the CD section of the Parson’s Music Library and find the Orchestra Suites from the Music to Peer Gynt arranged for the piano in the scores section.

In the Hall of the Mountain King music notation

Parsons Playlists: Chamber of Secrets

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Esther (class of 2025) and features an assortment of chamber music.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

One of my favorite aspects of chamber music is exploring the intimacy of its subtle expressions. Here are some of my top chamber music pieces (including some I’ve been gatekeeping).

Chamber Orchestra

Robert Schumann – Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major Op. 44, Mvt. 1

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Trio élégiaque in G Minor No. 1

Johan Halvorsen – Passacaglia for Violin and Viola

Antonín Dvořák – Bagatelles Op. 47, Mvt. 5

Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet in F Minor Op. 18, No. 1, Mvt. 2

Felix Mendelssohn – String Octet in E flat Major Op. 20, Mvt. 3

Dmitri Shostakovich – Two Pieces for String Octet, Op. 11, Mvt. 2

Franz Doppler – Nocturne, Op. 19

Pablo de Sarasate – Navarra, Op. 33

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew5NyVTiSg-ofiHKC01sZha

Arachnophonia: Bob Dylan “100 Songs”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) 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 manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features a collection of 100 lyrics by Bob Dylan. Thanks, Eliana!

Bob Dylan

100 Songs

Bob Dylan - 100 Songs (book cover)

Bob Dylan is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of the 20th century. He has written over 500 songs throughout the span of his career, both for himself and other artists. His most famous works include “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which became civil rights and antiwar anthems following the frustrations many Americans were facing in the 60’s. He has received a plethora of awards, including ten Grammys, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, and the Nobel Prize in Literature.

His book, 100 Songs, is a self curated collection of 100 of his most profound works. His lyrics adorn the pages, underscoring their poetic nature. If you’re a fan of Dylan’s work, the book is a must read. For me, seeing his lyrics sprawled across 200 pages deepens their significance and allure.

You can check out this book, along with over 100 other Bob Dylan-related materials, from Parsons Music Library. Maybe grab a CD or two to enhance your reading experience!

Parsons Playlists: “The Turn of the Seasons”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Marissa (class of 2025) songs celebrating the transition from summer to fall.

The Turn of the Seasons

This playlist starts out with that feeling of missing the warm weather and the ease of summer. As the songs go on, the listener feels more accepting of the new season, and is eventually overwhelmed by the excitement of leaves falling and sweater weather.

Taylor Swift – “august”

WILLIS – “I Think I Like When It Rains”

The Beatles – “Yesterday”

Taylor Swift – “right where you left me”

Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried – “Slipping Through My Fingers”

Ed Sheeran – “The A Team”

Harry Styles – “As It Was”

Wabie – “Love Me Tomorrow”

Green Day – “Wake Me Up When September Ends”

Post Malone – “Circles”

Ritt Momney – “Put Your Records On”

Coldplay – “Yellow”

Declan McKenna – “Brazil”

Earth Wind & Fire – “September”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn_0zPAfyo8&list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2_m0TioXsHNJ_80uYGSfCl

Arachnophonia: Amy Winehouse “Back To Black”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) 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 manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features Amy Winehouse’s 2007 album Back To Black. Thanks, Deisy!

Amy Winehouse

Back To Black

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Throughout my years in college, I have tried to expand my musical taste by asking friends to introduce me to some of their favorite artists. Along the way, a good friend of mine introduced me to Amy Winehouse, one of the best things in my life. My favorite song of hers has to be “You Know I’m No Good” and “Back to Black.” Her Back to Black album was on repeat for a long time in 2021 as I began to discover more of her work.

If people are interested in discovering new artists and songs, I recommend asking a friend or coming to the Parsons Music Library where there is a large collection of CDs and LPs to look through.

Parsons Playlists: “Mid Day Car Rides”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manger Brianna (class of 2023) and features songs to enjoy on a mid day car ride.

Mid Day Car Rides

These are my favorite songs to play when I am on the way home from a long day.
P.S. This playlist is even better if the windows are rolled down.

Music for Mid Day Car Rides

Young Mister – “Anybody Out There”

Your Neighbors – “Chicken”

snny – “Better To Leave It”

Between Friends – “Suburban Wonderland”

Tommy Newport – “Tongue & Cheek”

Sarah and the Sundays – “Take Your Time”

Tame Impala – “Patience”

French Cassettes – “City Kitty”

Magic City Hippies – “Champagne on the Rider”

Djo – “Personal Lies”

Laundry Day – “Jane”

Hippo Campus – “Ashtray”

OK Houston – “Slowly Spinning Room”

Goth Babe – “Weekend Friend”

Here’s a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez6coNtI_6VZ3egjiCG8yPI

Arachnophonia: Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) 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 assistant Esther (class of 2025) and features a collection of Mozart’s letters. Thanks, Esther!

Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life: Selected Letters
Edited and translated by Robert Spaethling

Portrait of a young Mozart

Portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the age of 13 in Verona, 1770

When we first hear the term “classical music,” we often think of great composers like Beethoven and Mozart. Despite his relatively short life, Mozart is known and celebrated for his prodigious musicality and influential compositions even to this day. But what was Mozart like? You may know several of his pieces, but have you taken the time to consider the person behind these famous pieces?

There’s no better way of being first introduced to Mozart’s private life than Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life by Robert Spaethling. Spaethling, a scholar of German literature of the 19th and 20th centuries and Mozart, has carefully chosen and depicted a compilation of Mozart’s letters spanning twenty-two years of the young composer’s life. Spaethling’s most recent edit of these letters provides us with the most accurate translation to appropriately convey Mozart’s nuanced personality.

Mozarts Letters Mozarts Life

Through Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life, we are invited to explore Mozart’s innermost thoughts and raw perspective of life. In addition to the analysis of the different voices that shine through in Mozart’s candid letters, Spaethling includes information, such as various life events throughout the composer’s life, that encourages us to think deeply and have greater appreciation for the person behind these great works.