Category Archives: Arachnophonia

Arachnophonia: Green Day “American Idiot”

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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 Green Day’s 2004 album American Idiot. Thanks, Deisy!

Green Day

American Idiot

Green Day - American Idiot

Green Day is a band that many are fans of and many have heard of. I remember going to my local dentist and waiting to be attended to when their infamous song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” begins to play. Without fail, every year I would step into this dentist and the song would start playing on the radio. As time went on, I discovered the name of the song and eventually got into listening to the band and have since fallen in love with many of their songs. And I wonder, was this song such a prominent part of other people’s lives just as it was to me, or was I just exposed to it too consistently in that dentist room?

The band’s official beginnings started in 1989 as a group of teenagers in Northern California came together to create Green Day. Their most successful and biggest hit album, American Idiot, shook the world when it came out in 2004. This album contains songs like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams“, “Holiday“, and “Wake Me Up When September Ends“.

While this music may not be to everyone’s taste, it is certainly a genre that can allow one to feel free and youthful. Green Day was known as a band that empowered the youth and was not scared to point out the faults of today’s society. They are the type of band one listens to when trying to de-stress and feel that sense of freedom many young adults crave.

Currently, the Pearsons Music Library has a copy of American Idiot and other notable albums such as 21st-Century Breakdown (2009) and Dookie, which are available for loans or to simply listen to in our study rooms. If at any moment in the semester you feel like decompressing with some pop-punk, try giving Green Day a listen!

green-day-american-idiot-video

Arachnophonia: Don Quixote

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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 Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a DVD performance of the ballet Don Quixote. Thanks, Xipeng!

Don Quixote

Don Quixote ballet DVD case

Don Quixote, a dramatic love story on tiptoe

Don Quixote de la Mancha is a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. The main character of this novel is named Alonso Quixano, who read many chivalric romances and lost in his dream of becoming as a knight. He recruited Sancho Panza, a farmer, as his squire and started his journey.

The theme of the ballet is adapted from the original novel but only focuses on two chapters. Taking place in Spain, the dancing language expresses enthusiastic, strong and powerful cultural characteristics with various dance types, including Romani dance and Flamenco. The dancing techniques require high standard with daring balance, twisting leaps and 32 fouettés, which is one of the most classic whipping turns.

The music composed by Ludwig Minkus also contributes to this spectacular showcase. One thing to note is that the choreography was first created by Marius Petipa, and even thought his creation has been through several revivals, it still serves as the most important foundation for Don Quixote ballet productions. The video available in the Music Library was choreographed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, and is located in the DVDs section.

A quote from Royal Opera House said that “It is one of the few Petipa ballets to be named for the hero rather than the heroine. It is a comic ballet in a sea of danced melodramas, and contains more character dancing than any other Petipa work on view today.” I am sure you will definitely enjoy the showcase even with only one act!

Arachnophonia: Carmen

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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 Brianna (class of 2023) and features Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Thanks, Brianna!

Carmen

Carmen is a French opera composed by George Bizet that premiered in 1875. Since then, there have been numerous productions of Carmen, a few of which the Parsons Music Library has on DVD available to check out!

French opera is one of my favorite styles of opera, as it generally involves lots of dance numbers. This is due to the fact that when French opera began, ballet was a major component as the French thought Italian opera was lacking. Carmen was written in the French genre opéra-comique, which translates to “comedic/comical opera”. The story follows a naive soldier named Don Jose, who is seduced by Carmen and is ultimately led to his downfall.

The music is all but legendary, with the most famous pieces likely being “Los Toreadors” and “Habanera.” George Bizet will have you humming his tunes for days after you watch this opera! It is a fun, wild ride from start to finish and definitely worth checking out.

Arachnophonia: A New Dawn Fades “I See The Nightbirds”

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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 locally produced album by A New Dawn Fades. Thanks, Esther!

A New Dawn Fades

I See The Nightbirds

A New Dawn Fades - "I See The Nightbirds" album cover

I See the Nightbirds by A New Dawn Fades is a new album released by Cherub Records. The title song’s polyrhythmic beat, complimentary guitar and bass lines, and attractive transitions converge to create a distinctive musical picture. The gradual accumulation of tension yet unrushed nature of the piece is what results in the captivating arch shape drawn throughout the song.

Cherub Records, founded by PJ Sykes in 2001, is an outlet through which Sykes and his friends communicate their music to the rest of the world. Though originally located in Lynchburg, VA, Cherub Records has now moved to the city of Richmond where they document and release music of numerous bands. Their curious exploration of music conveyed through improvised pieces has been one of the defining traits of this band. Furthermore, they are known for blurring the line drawn between the audience and performers by interacting with the crowd during their live performances.

Because Richmond is known for its unique sense of community, supporting our local musicians is significant in allowing the local music scene to grow and thrive. It gives us the opportunity to experience new music specific to our area and builds mutual support between the musicians and ourselves. I assure you, I See the Nightbirds will make you reflect on the vast range of what music encompasses and what makes it truly special.

Arachnophonia: Queen Greatest Hits

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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 insert title info here. Thanks, Deisy!

Queen – Greatest Hits

Queen Greatest Hits

I am ashamed to say that I did not know of Queen until after the movie Bohemian Rhapsody came out in 2018. But it was one of the best decisions I ever made when I decided to do my research and listen to their songs.

My favorite Queen song has to be “Love of My Life” which was released in 1975, beginning with the soft piano music, adding Mercury’s vocals, and finishing off with some electric guitar allowing the listeners to feel the emotions of the singer. The Parsons Music Library has access to all of the band’s greatest hits in a CD form which contains hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody“, “Somebody to Love“, “Another One Bites the Dust“, and much more.

Queen is the type of band that gets you in the mood to take over the world. Listening to these songs first thing in the morning will allow you to finish the day with a sense of accomplishment. Perfect to get you pumped up for the day or before an exam, it is the type of music you must give a try!

Queen Greatest Hits + logo

Arachnophonia: Live Aid

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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 the Live Aid concert film. Thanks, Eliana!

Live Aid on DVD

Live Aid concert film still

Deemed by many “the greatest show on earth,” Live Aid was, and is still to this day, the largest benefit concert of all time. On July 13th, 1985, the biggest names in Pop and Rock music joined together at both Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia to raise money for the famine that left ⅕ of Ethiopia’s total population without food.

Huge stars including, but not limited to, Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and Sting were all present across the two locations. In total, they raised more than $127 million towards famine relief – almost $330 million by today’s standards.

The four-disc DVD set of the event is available at Parsons Music library. In its case, you’ll see photographs from the concert, as well as a pamphlet that contains the first draft of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” two pages from the original Live Aid program, and various facts about the significance of the event.

Don’t have a DVD player? Have no fear! At Parsons Music Library, you can check out portable disc drives or visit study spaces with DVD players inside. If you have any questions, someone behind the front desk will always be available to help.

Live Aid dvd set

Arachnophonia: Karelia Overture Op. 10 Jean Sibelius

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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 Allison (class of 2022) and features a streaming audio version of the “Karelia Overture” by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Thanks, Allison!

Jean Sibelius – Karelia Overture Op. 10

Sibelius Tone Poems Songs

Karelia Overture Op. 10 was the first piece in the Karelia Suite written by Jean Sibelius in 1893. The suite was premiered by the Viipuri Students’ association at the Imperial Alexander University in Finland during the same year. The Karelia Suite is one of Sibelius’ most popular works.

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was a very well-known Finnish composer and violinist. In fact, his music is often credited for helping develop Finland‘s national identity whilst the country struggled for independence from Russia. Sibelius began playing violin at age ten and soon became a very successful violinist. Despite his success in the instrumental realm, he decided he would rather become a composer. He studied music at the Helsinki Music Institute and then in various cities across Europe while launching his own career in composition. Fun fact: the Helsinki Music Institute is now known as the Sibelius Academy.

Jean Sibelius

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

I was first introduced to Sibelius my junior year of high school when I played Karelia Overture Op. 10 with my youth orchestra. I was very drawn to the piece because of its grandiosity and utilization of brass instruments. While I have since played other Sibelius pieces in youth orchestra and here at Richmond, Karelia Overture Op. 10 is my all-time favorite.

Arachnophonia: The Last 5 Years

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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 Nicole (class of 2024) and features vocal selections from the musical The Last 5 Years. Thanks, Nicole!

The Last 5 Years

The Last 5 Years

The musical The Last 5 Years, written by Jason Robert Brown, is not the typical musical theatre love story. The story is about the failed marriage of a young actress named Cathy (played by Anna Kendrick in the 2014 movie version) and a young writer named Jamie (played by Jeremy Jordan in the movie version) who, in trying to find a balance between a successful career and a healthy relationship, end up hurting each other. However, the story is being told by both parts of the relationship that are living the same story in different timelines: Cathy starts singing about the end of her marriage in “Still Hurting”, but the following song, “Shiksa Goddess” is sung by Jamie five years before when he had just met Cathy. The Last 5 Years conveys these two different timelines with distinct chord progressions and instrumentation for the songs of each character respective to their timeline, representing how a story should be looked at from different perspectives before taking a stance.

This score includes most of the songs in the musical, such as “Still Hurting,” “Shiksa Goddess,” “Moving Too Fast,” and more. The scores are useful for any beginner-intermediate piano player or musical theatre singer who loves this heartbreaking musical.

The Last Five Years movie poster (2014)

Arachnophonia: Enrique Granados “Goyescas”

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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 Eli (class of 2024) and features Goyescas, a piano suite by Spanish composer Enrique Granados. Thanks, Eli!

Enrique Granados

Goyescas

Granados - Goyescas cd cover

Enrique Granados is undoubtedly one of the great ‘what-ifs?’ of classical music. Born in Lleida, Spain in 1867, Pantaleón Enrique Joaquín Granados y Campiñabegan studied music as a teenager, but was unable to attend a formal conservatory. Instead, Granados relied on private lessons and individual practice, eventually exploring composition.

His first real success was the 1898 opera Maria del Carmen, receiving critical acclaim for his composition and conducting. The Spanish King, Alfonso XIII, even attended a performance.

Granados continued composing and performing at a small scale for the next decade, but found his career take off with his piano suite Goyescas which premiered in 1911. Based on the paintings of Fransisco Goya, the works were incredibly popular, leading Granados to compose an opera based on the same themes. This opera became world-renowned after it opened in New York City (the European premiere was canceled due to the outbreak of World War One), and Granados was invited to perform for President Woodrow Wilson.

A walk in Andalusia - Francisco Goya (1777)

“A walk in Andalusia” – Francisco Goya (1777)

Unfortunately, Granados perished shortly afterwards, drowning when his boat back to Europe was sunk by a German U-boat. Had Granados stayed in his cabin (half of the ship was untouched) or turned down the New York premiere, his name could have become household in the world of classical music. I highly recommend listening to the Goyescas suite, especially “Quejas o la Maja y el Ruiseñor”, or “Laments, Or the Maiden and the Nightingale.”

Granados and canine friend

Enrique Granados poses with a canine friend

Arachnophonia: The Killers “Hot Fuss”

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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 Danny (class of 2023) and features the Killers’ 2004 album Hot Fuss. Thanks, Danny!

The Killers

Hot Fuss

The Killers - Hot Fuss album cover

Everybody – and I mean everybody – seems to know the Killers from one song: “Mr. Brightside.” The song has become a party and nightclub staple, garnering tons of partygoer enthusiasm as everyone shouts the lyrics in unison.
But what if I said that although it is the group’s most popular song, it is not one of their best songs? What if I said that the Killers have been very prominent in the alternative rock industry for years, pumping out album after album over the years, with some of the core members remaining in the band for its entire existence?

I can go on for hours talking in-depth about every single one of the Killers’ albums, from Hot Fuss all the way to Pressure Machine. My favorite album of all time, Sam’s Town, is also by the Killers. However, in terms of popularity, I feel that Hot Fuss takes the awards. Therefore, to appeal to the general public of those reading this post, my focus will be on this 45 minute masterpiece.

Hot Fuss was released on June 7th 2004 and reached seventh on the Billboard 200. Although being extremely popular in America, the album was actually more of a commercial success in Ireland and England. This album, was the beginning of a 17 year (and counting) career. It was the very first album by the Killers and has been the one that most people adore most.

The track list is absolutely amazing. The four band members, Brandon Flowers, Ronnie Vannucci, Dave Keuning, and Mark Stoermer each had significant roles in writing most of the songs. Vanucci, the drummer of the band, had the least writing credits on the album, but only 3 of the 11 songs on the album were written alone by Brandon Flowers. The rest all involved some sort of mix of the 4.

One of the most interesting easter eggs within the album is the connection between two of the songs and “Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf” which was included in their album Sawdust (a compilation of unreleased songs). The two songs in Hot Fuss that are connected are “Jenny was a Friend of Mine” (the opening track) and “Midnight Show.” The three songs all tell the story of a criminal case concerning Robert Chambers.

This was also the album that featured the anthem “Mr. Brightside.” Some other notable songs of theirs include “Smile Like you Mean It,” “Somebody Told Me” and “All These Things I’ve Done.”

Despite these being the most popular songs on the album, the tracks I have enjoyed the most are “Everything Will be Alright,” “Believe me Natalie,” and “Change your Mind.” The second of the trio is the most upbeat and encapsulates most of the rock elements the Killers were known for. The other two are much slower and are just as good in my opinion.

In conclusion, Hot Fuss is one of my all time favorites. My ranking for all Killers albums goes as follows:
1. Sam’s Town
2. Hot Fuss
3. Day & Age
4. Battle Born
5. Imploding the Mirage
6. Sawdust
7. Wonderful Wonderful
8. Pressure Machine