Parsons Playlists: Filtered Lens

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025). It features music that makes her think of cell phone camera filters.

Filtered Lens

filtered lens

Here’s songs that would have some kind of filter over them if we could see them!

Far Caspian – “Let’s Go Outside”

Numcha – “afterglow”

Raye – “Worth It”

Kali Uchis – “Never Be Yours”

Wildson ft. Astyn Turr – “One on One”

rhyu – “It’s Fine”

grentperez – “When the Day is Done”

CHSKA – “i know you know”

shae, WIMY – “Anybody”

J3R0 – “Call u Mine?”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew8txTu0WV-ITn3nxyRnZBB&si=-UJtbHwv0XgfQf3p

Arachnophonia: “Is Jazz Dead?”

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 Esther (class of 2025) and features insert title info here. Thanks, Esther!

Is Jazz Dead?: (Or Has It Moved to a New Address) by Stuart Nicholson

Is Jazz Dead?  by Stuart Nicholson

Stuart Nicholson’s Is Jazz Dead? delves into the state of jazz in America, especially jazz moving into the 21st century. Nicholson, who is a prominent author of books on figures in jazz, like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, comments on how jazz has been evolving – or, in his argument, not evolving. He argues that American jazz has been leaning more towards old-school styles while experimental styles seem to be fading away. Nicholson suggests that jazz has the potential to be revived with modern electronic music, which may introduce new creativity into the genre.

As I read through Nicholson’s book, I thought his critique felt relevant, as he points out that the increasingly conservative nature of American jazz may be due to how recent music education focuses on preserving traditional styles rather than encouraging innovation. Nicholson also notes that European jazz scenes, which have more support from the public, tend to be more vibrant and diverse environments.

I recently got to see jazz up close for the first time at a concert by the David Esleck Trio at our very own Camp Concert Hall. The experience was a great introduction to jazz, as it was relaxed but engaging, which also felt like a counterpoint to Nicholson’s concerns about the genre’s lack of progression (but this is also coming from someone who knows nothing about jazz)!
The trio’s performance was lively, once more reminding me of how fun it is to participate in live performances that we have on campus!

For anyone looking to dive deeper into exploring different music genres, our university’s concerts are a great chance to do so! It’s often free for students, though it’s best to grab tickets early, but tickets are available at the box office during their hours. Nicholson’s book, combined with the Esleck trio’s live performance, personally offered me a rich view of the ongoing dialogue between jazz’s traditional roots and its potential for innovation!

Parsons Playlists – Interlude

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) featuring some songs for taking a break on a hectic day.

Interlude

interlude

On days a little more hectic, a moment to pause and breathe can make all the difference. Here’s a playlist of songs that feel like a gentle pat on the back for me.

Rachel Chinouriri – “So My Darling”

Cody Fry – “Photograph”

Ben Platt – “Grow As We Go”

lullaboy – “3 New Words”

Clairo – “Juna”

Cavetown – “Talk to Me”

Wasia Project – “To Get Better”

Sleeping At Last – “Three”

Patrick Watson – “Lost With You”

Chezile – “Beanie”

Anthony Lazaro – “The Midnight Train”

Olivia Dean – “Drive”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewH25ZwTbMS2xB81IK63KhA&si=APtCIKNoyzGK4otP

Arachnophonia: Music – A Very Short Introduction

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.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the Arachnophonia is by student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features an ebook called Music: A Very Short Introduction. Thanks, Esther!

Music: A Very Short Introduction by Nicholas Cook

Music: A Very Short Introduction

If you’re passionate about music and seeking a scholarly yet accessible exploration of the subject, Nicholas Cook’s Music: A Short Introduction is a must-read book. Cook, a distinguished musicologist known for his work on musical understanding and analysis, especially on music performance, formulates complex concepts into an engaging narrative. This book not only provides a broad and understandable overview of the history, theory, and practice of music but also encourages a deeper appreciation of its multifaceted nature.

Even after just reading the first chapter of the book, “Musical Values,” I found myself rethinking my definition of music, its evolution over time, and how others might perceive it differently. In a generation where authenticity and identity are highly valued, it’s crucial to be aware of the origins and influences behind our values and how we use them to critique the sounds around us. Understanding different frameworks helps us appreciate the diverse contexts in which we interpret and enjoy the music we listen to.

For anyone intrigued by the interplay between music and its broader cultural context, Cook’s insights offer a rich analytical perspective that compels you to reflect upon your understanding of what music is.

Arachnophonia: The Commodification of Music at the Dawn of the Era of “Mechanical Music”

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 Esther (class of 2025) and features a scholarly essay on the commodification of music. Thanks, Esther!

“The Commodification of Music at the Dawn of the Era of ‘Mechanical Music'” by Timothy D. Taylor (published in a collection called Music in the World and online)

Player Piano illustration

Dr. Timothy D. Taylor’s essay on “The Commodification of Music at the Dawn of the Era of ‘Mechanical Music'” delves into the evolving nature of music commodities and their commercialization influenced by surrounding circumstances. As a respected musicologist specializing in global issues, particularly the interplay between consumerism, technology, and music, Dr. Taylor, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music, demonstrates his expertise throughout this article.

Using player pianos as a case study, Taylor examines, from an ethnomusicological perspective, how the means of reproducing music impact its dissemination. Building on Karl Marx’s concept of commodities, Taylor argues that the success of player pianos as the first commercially mass-produced products can be attributed to effective advertising strategies tailored to the societal norms of the time.

Taylor highlights the democratization of music access and the role of advertising in the reification of music. He observes the historical evolution of marketing tactics from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, a period considered the rise of popular culture, noting certain enduring strategies still relevant today. The ongoing commodification of music adapts to contemporary dynamics, influenced by the rise of artificial intelligence and online platforms. I highly recommend this article to anyone interested in learning about one of the many significant roles music plays in our lives!

Parsons Playlists: My Favorite Memory of All

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features some songs she associates with a favorite memory.

My Favorite Memory of All

Ode to eating Wawa Dippin’ Dots in a library parking lot on a warm spring night.

Floor Cry (feat. Vansire) – “Next Best Thing”

Delights – “1989”

Yot Club – “mr. rager”

Tommy Newport – “Bad Choice My Boy”

Hotplug – “Simple Things”

Kid Bloom – “Parents’ House”

Tipling Rock – “Staring”

Butter Bath – “Anchor in the Clouds”

The Happy Fits – “So Alright, Cool, Whatever”

Arctic Monkeys – “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball”

Dirty Nice – “This Is Gonna Hurt”

Flat Pop – “Another Chance”

Almond Milk – “You, Me, Dance”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezAmKGj-ywPKKnTF6LuQIWC&si=yZM9pgbOFqdXv8oJ

Arachnophonia: Instruments in the History of Western Music

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 Esther (class of 2025) and features a book about the history of musical instruments. Thanks, Esther!

Instruments in the History of Western Music by Karl Geiringer

Instruments in the History of Western Music

We have often affectionately labeled music as the “universal language” throughout the years, though our reference is typically rooted in Western notation, which is familiar to the majority. During my time at the University of Richmond, I discovered that while music shares many characteristics with languages, it isn’t truly universal. Even within the Western music domain, the evolution of music has taken diverse and transformative paths.

In Karl Geiringer‘s book, Instruments in the History of Western Music, he delves into the history of musical instruments spanning about 25,000 years. My interest in this book was piqued after discussions about the distinct standards composers adhered to in the Baroque, Romantic, and Classical Eras. After understanding how these standards influenced compositional styles, audience perspectives, and society’s notions of a musical “genius,” it became apparent that the evolution of instruments was also inevitable.

Dr. Geiringer’s book stood out to me for his approach to illuminating the cultural and historical contexts of the instruments. This methodology provides readers with a solid foundation, enabling a deeper understanding of how instruments have genuinely evolved, mirroring the values held during each era.

Parsons Playlists: Sonnet 18

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) which features some music for your Valentine’s Day enjoyment.

Sonnet 18

For the lovers and the dreamers! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 Andante

Schumann: Romance in F-sharp Major

Mahler: Symphony No. 5 Adagietto

Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1

Liszt: Liebestraum No. 3

Sibelius: Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op. 78

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, “Fantasy Overture”

Puccini: La bohème “O soave fanciulla”

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde, “Prelude and Liebestod”

Mascagni: Intermezzo Sinfonica

Fauré: Après un Rêve

Bellini: I Puritani “A te, o cara”

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, Adagio sostenuto

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.3, Largo

Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyPRn_axqEthrkKs-1nckTU&si=I68XVX-RPvJ38CF0

Arachnophonia: Practice Makes Perfect?

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 Esther (class of 2025) and features a book about effective music practice. Thanks, Esther!

Practice Makes Perfect?

Deliberate Practice

If you’ve tried improving or mastering any type of skill, whether it be academic, athletic, or musical, you’ve probably heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” However, this quote may eventually lead one to discouragement. How could you possibly become better if you aren’t practicing as much as you want to?

Elizabeth A.H. Green delves into the structure and logic behind intentional, productive practicing through her book Practicing Successfully: A Masterclass in the Musical Art.

Practicing Successfully: A Masterclass in the Musical Art by Elizabeth A. H. Green.

Professor Green was a highly esteemed teacher who taught with a focus on violin and stringed instruments. In the Practicing Successfully, she writes,” Ultimate success depends upon one immutable, inescapable, and well-publicized fact: the musician has to practice successfully or not.” When you see famous athletes or musicians, the one thing they mention is the continual efforts they’ve put in to reach the point they’re at. So, what makes them different from the others? One section of the book Professor Green points to is the physiological principle of practice and how we can adjust so that we can maximize the productivity of the session.

I have this book checked out personally to myself right now, but I recommend all musicians to take a look at it! Even if you are not a musician, these principles of practice can be applied to other aspects of life.

Parsons Playlists: Tactile Illusions

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) which explores musical textures.

Tactile Illusions

A jar of Skippy creamy peanut butter

Are you team creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter? Just as food is textured, music is too! Here are some songs that I think are smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.

D’Angelo – “Really Love”

Ari Lennox – “Backwood”

Raveena Aurora – “Salt Water”

Kaz Moon – “Furious”

Charlie Burg – “Avalanche”

Toro y Moi – “Ordinary Pleasure”

Dre’es – “Warm”

Health Club – “Way Too Long”

Lake Street Drive – “Hypotheticals”

Grover Washington – “Just the Two of Us”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewxuotwTk4zuXJny119Yp9v&si=PQkxwYb1FNVuJd9g