Music as History
Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima (1959), by Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933)
Record what you see in your mind’s eye when listening to this piece. What emotions does it spark? What questions might you have?
The picture used in this music piece looks like to me a picture of the atom bomb erupting in Hiroshima. It looked like a very big black mushroom cloud, and the music was really creepy. It was a really loud high screeching noise. To me it sounded like nails on a chalkboard, high pitched screaming, and the scary tone that usually plays in horror films when someone is about to get killed. Kind of like the scary music used in jaws when the shark was following its prey. The end of the song played sirens, which is usually heard when a disaster has occurred. That was creepy too.
2. Black Angels (1970), by George Crumb
Record what you see in your mind’s eye when listening to this piece. What emotions does it spark? What questions might you have?
This sounded like screeching bats! This also reminded me of someone who plays their violin as if it were to sound like nails on a chalkboard. This piece scared me more than the Hiroshima one! The beat and tone of the music changed drastically too. It would go really high pitched and scary, and then quiet and soft, then back up to loud and scary yelling.
3. Ukrainian Sand Artist Kseniya Simonova
How does the music assist her visual art in telling the story? How do other sound effects play a role? What are your personal thoughts on this performance?
I thought the whole performance was amazing. The way the girl used the music to tone the emotion of the picture was at perfect timing and her hand motions were in tune with the music. (When the music was peaceful and slow her hand strokes were slow, when the music was upbeat and quick her hands moved very quickly to the beat.) I really enjoyed the drawings she did. Especially in the sand! That looks so hard to do and she perfected it. Her pictures kept me very entertained, and I could tell the audience really connected with the drawings by their reactions.
4. They Dance Alone, by Sting
How does Sting effectively use lyrics and music to tell the story of Pinochet’s crimes? Write specific notes from the video ad web site.
The video showed very emotional pictures that showed how the people felt during the time. The lyrics helped me understand the song a lot more than just listening to it. By reading the words it made me think a lot more.
5. Sunday Bloody Sunday, by Bono and U2
What makes Bono an effective speaker as well as music artist? How does the background music contribute to his speech? How does his singing style make the lyrics powerful? Why do you think this is one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever produced?
It wasn’t boring at all; he sang the song with a lot of heart and communicated his speech within it. Instead of just righting a song about the problem, he got to speak and let the audience know where he was coming from and how he felt.
6. Russians, by Sting
What is the message of this song? What can you learn about the Cold War or the political climate of the 1980’s from this song? Does this song lose relevance after the fall of the Soviet Union (explain)?
I liked how she used actual footage from the Cold War into her video. I could easily tell by her accent that she was Irish, which made her even more connected into her song because it was a big problem in Ireland.
7. We Didn’t Start the Fire, by Billy Joel
What is the message of this song? What is unique about the song? What things did you learn about history? Why do you think he chose those particular events/ people to mention- are there any you think he should have mentioned but didn’t?
The song was very upbeat and catchy, but had a lot of meaning to it too. The tune made me want to listen to what he was saying. The pictures were interesting to watch too.
8. Strange Fruit, by Billie Holliday
Notes on film: The speaker was very vivid and clear, the music was a little off because the topic was very gruesome and violent, yet he was using happy blues music. But I think the title of the song was interesting, “Strange fruit”. Once I listened to the lyrics of the song, It all began to make sense. It was dedicated to the blacks who were hanged in the trees (meaning strange fruit).
Personal thoughts: The photos were graphic and sad. It’s awful to know that whites would treat African Americans so badly. And it makes me feel bad because I am white! What I found appalling is that they would hang the African Americans in front of crowds! Why would someone want to watch someone being hanged! That’s just wrong.
9. M.I.A Interview:
What are her views on the power and purpose of music? Do you agree?
I love how committed and passionate she is about the life of Sri Lanka. She didn’t become a musician for the fame or money, only to educate and communicate what was/still is going on in Sri Lanka.I do believe that music is a good way to get your thoughts and situations going on around the world out, but I don't think those are the only reasons of becoming a musician. Some people become musicians because they love music, like performing, etc.
10. Playing For Change Website
In your opinion, is this a worthwhile effort? How else can music be used to promote peace throughout the world?
I think the Playing for Change Is an awesome idea. It not only is an organization to raise money for donations, but it shows the cultural taste of music from all around the world. Playing for Change promotes peace throughout the world because it’s away for us all to connect by music, no matter what our race, looks, or beliefs are.
11. A Knight’s Tale and Marie Antoinette- use of pop music in a period film
What were the directors’ reasons for using modern pop/rock music in their historical films? Do you agree with them- why or why not?
Kind of, it’s hard to tell because the song is fun, upbeat, and young which describes the scene in the film. So in a way yes it does fit in the film but because there in Versailles Palace, which is a very formal palace, it made it a little odd, but not bad.
In A Knights Tale even though the song was catchy, I thought it made the scene a little awkward. Normally in the period of time there wouldn’t be rock music. Also because of the scenery the music didn’t fit it well. Plus with the people dancing and clapping along.AWKWARD.

