Arachnophonia: “In the Hall of the Mountain King”

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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”

Posted on by

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”

Posted on by

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”

Posted on by

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”

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.

Parsons Playlists: “Very Peri”

Posted on by

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Amy (class of 2025) and features a playlist inspired by Pantone’s 2022 color of the year.

Very Peri Playlist

Songs that I associate with Pantone’s color of the year for 2022, Very Peri!

Very Peri - Pantone Color of the Year 2022

Lana Del Ray – “California”

Gracie Abrams – “Long Sleeves”

Taylor Swift – “Wonderland”

Tame Impala – “Eventually”

Conan Gray – “Astronomy”

Taylor Swift – “august”

Lana Del Ray – “Watercolor Eyes”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Friday I’m In Love”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Garden Song”

Mitski – “First Love/Late Spring”

The Neighbourhood – “The Beach”

Salvia Palth – “I Was All Over Her”

The Smiths – “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwhUUa5MDIWAzH5pyakXPRsm

New CDs added: September 2022

Posted on by

New CDs for September 2022

Orchestral, Concertos and Chamber Music

Claude Debussy – Of Motion And Dance: Piano Music of Claude Debussy

Of motion and dance

Opera, Opera Excerpts, Choral Music and Art Songs

Florence Price – Nearly Lost: Art Songs By Florence Price

Nearly Lost

Popular Music

Elvis Costello – My Flame Burns Blue – Live with the Metropole Orkest
Hoax Hunters – 2013-2018

Kingfish - 662

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – 662
PJ Sykes – Fuzz

Folk Music

Iberi Choir – Supra
Leyla McCalla – Breaking the Thermometer

Parsons Playlists: “Best Live Performances”

Posted on by

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features a selection of songs recorded live.

Best Live Performances

There’s an endless number of incredible live performances, but these are some of the ones that top my list. I suppose being able to see the real thing would be better but a YouTube video is a close second, right?!?

Audience enjoying live music at a concert

Kelly Clarkson – “A Moment Like This” (American Idol winning performance from 2002) – A true cultural reset

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983) – An even bigger cultural reset

Rihanna – “Love on the Brain” (Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016) – Performance I would have traded my left kidney for to see live

Miley Cyrus – “Heart of Glass” (Live from the iHeart Festival 2020) – The rockification of Hannah Montana

Soshana Bean – “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress (From Club Broadway.com 2019) – The storytelling makes this a 15/10

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Live Aid 1985) – No description necessary

Beyoncé – “At Last” (For Barack and Michelle Obama – Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009) – A defining historical moment that never fails to bring tears to my eyes

Keala Settle – “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman (2017) – BTS you need to see

Ben Platt & Broadway Cast – “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen – (From The Today Show April 2017) – Best of Broadway off of Broadway

Ariana Grande – “One Last Time” (From One Love Manchester June 2017) – Bravery and resilience highlighted in a single performance

Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett – “Just For A Moment” (Live Performance Vevo 2020) – Didn’t age well but the irony only adds to the heartbreak of the performance

Bruno Mars covers Adele’s “All I Ask” (The Live Lounge BBC Radio 1 November 2016) – Fun fact, Bruno wrote this song. And he kills it.

Here is a version of the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexFIivdsXLUDb4weJss_Niy