Category Archives: Collection

Arachnophonia: Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations”

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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(s) 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 Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Thanks, Eli!

Edward Elgar

Enigma Variations

Sir Edward Elgar 1857-1934

Sir Edward Elgar 1857-1934

Edward Elgar, a classical English composer who gained prominence around the turn of the 20th century, is perhaps best known for his Pomp and Circumstance Marches, a key part of any graduation ceremony today.

Yet his most intriguing work is undoubtedly Variations on an Original Theme, better known as the Enigma Variations. These fourteen variations are each dedicated to important people in Elgar’s life, including his wife and his students. Each variation shares similar phrases, but the attitude and voices vary widely. Significant moments in Elgar’s relationship with these people are written into the variations, as well as their key personality traits.

The “Nimrod” variation, dedicated to his mentor Augustus J. Jaeger, is widely considered one of Elgar’s finest works and is frequently reproduced. Most notably, it was played at Princess Diana’s funeral and at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

The “enigma” within these variations has yet to be solved, but is believed to be a secret melody hidden across the variations. I highly encourage listening to these variations as it is one of my favorite orchestral works. You can read more about the Enigma Variations by checking out Julian Rushton’s book Elgar, ‘Enigma’ Variations or you can listen to both Pomp and Circumstance and the Enigma Variations on CD.

Arachnophonia: Guillaume Dufay “Chansons – Forty-Five Settings in Original Notation”

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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 music by the early Renaissance composer Guillaume Dufay (1397-1474). Thanks, Brianna!

Guillaume Dufay
Chansons: Forty-Five Settings in Original Notation

Dufay and Binchois

Guillaume Du Fay (left), with Gilles Binchois (right) in a c. 1440 Illuminated manuscript copy of Martin le Franc’s Le champion des dames (source: Wikipedia)

One of the most fascinating aspects of music history to me is the way that musical notation and writing has evolved. A prime example of this is the madrigal. A madrigal is a part-song for several voices most commonly found in the Renaissance period. While this style of music was most popular in Italy and England, there are several noteworthy French composers who wrote madrigals.

One such composer is Guillaume Dufay. The music library is lucky to have a score of a selection of 45 of his pieces, all in original notation. Flipping through the pages shows a style of notation that has since lost popularity, but it is still incredibly interesting to look at.

Learning to transpose such music is a vast field of study that is very active to this day. I find it to be a sort of puzzle, as there are some notes and articulations that were assumed to be inferred by performers in the period it was written, but that are generally explicitly written out in modern music. Finding these hidden clues and listening to your transcription is a rewarding and fun experience. If you get a chance, be sure to check out this music!

Arachnophonia: The Beach Boys “Smile”

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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 Amy (class of 2025) and features The Beach Boys’ unfinished album Smile. Thanks, Amy!

The Beach Boys

Smile

The Beach Boys - Smile

Referred to as the most renowned unreleased album in pop music history, Smile was supposed to be the 12th studio album by the American band the Beach Boys, projected to be released after their album Pet Sounds. However, they did not officially release the album, potentially because of legality issues with Capitol Records and the producer and composer of the album – Brian Wilson’s – rocky emotional state.

The album had fully completed musical tracks, but only a few of the songs have vocal recordings. Potentially because of his fear of ridicule, Brian Wilson refused to finish the album, but when bootleg versions of the album became popular among the Beach Boys’ audience in the 80s, Capitol Records released a portion of the album to the public in the 90s.

Wilson drew inspiration from astrology, numerology, and the occult when composing Smile. He also became fascinated with religion, even adopting meditation and vegetarianism. Wilson wanted this album to be a “teenage symphony to God.” The group named the album Smile because it focused on good thought and happiness.

You can find the Beach Boys Smile album at the Parsons Music Library. The box set includes 40 tracks, many of which are unfinished but include parts of the structure of the original Smile album. The box also includes a small book of notes from Wilson and photos from the recording sessions.

Arachnophonia: “La flor de la canela” by Chabuca Granda

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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 popular song from Peru called “La flor de la canela”. Thanks, Nicole!

“La flor de la canela” – Chabuca Granda

La Flor de la Canela

“La flor de la Canela,” which translates to: “ The Cinnamon flower” in English, is a vals criollo song first recorded by the group Los Morochucos in 1950, and later popularized by the singer and composer Chabuca Granda in the same year. Chabuca is a symbol of música criolla in Peru, a genre that exhibits influences from European, African, and Andean music.

Chabuca Cantando

Chabuca Grande singing on a Peruvian TV show circa 1960

I have grown up hearing this popular song on the radio since it has become the unofficial anthem of the citizens of Lima, the capital of Peru. The song also conveys a beautiful meaning. The expression itself, “to be a cinnamon flower” means to be proud and far from reach.

Chabuca was inspired to write the song because of a friend who would always come to her performances, an African Peruvian woman named Victoria Angulo Castillo. During their meetings, Victoria would tell Chabuca about her journey home after the shows, crossing an old wooden bridge: “el Viejo Puente de Palo”. The lyrics tell the story of a young beautiful woman on her journey home. This woman is described as “the cinnamon flower.”

A CD with Chabuca’s greatest hits, including “La flor de la Canela,” is available to check out at the Parsons Music Library!

Arachnophonia: In The Heights

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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(s) for the item(s) 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 musical In The Heights. Thanks, Eliana!

In The Heights

In The Heights

Before the critically acclaimed film of the same name, In the Heights had a 3-year run on Broadway. In that time, it was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and won 4.

The musical, written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, centers on a group of Dominican American young adults living in Washington Heights, NYC.

The story centers around Usnavi, a young bodega owner with the dream of returning home to the Dominican Republic. It’s summertime, so his neighbor Nina comes back from Stanford University with the unsettling news that she’s feeling out of place and wants to drop out, in turn disappointing her family. To make things even worse, things aren’t going great with Vanessa, the object of Usnavi’s affection. When there’s a city-wide blackout, chaos ensues.

The score features upbeat, energetic songs like “96,000,” “Blackout,” and “In the Heights” and slower, emotional numbers like “Breathe” and “It Won’t Be Long Now,” providing a myriad of entertainment for all types of listeners.

You can check out both the score and original Broadway cast recording here at Parsons Music Library!

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