(musTh 212) Assignment: Postmodern analysis

Due Monday, April 14th:

Listen to the following four pieces, all of which are in a folder titled “PostmodernListening” in my iLocker account.

  • Desi, by Michael Daugherty
  • Bug-Mudra, by Tod Machover
  • Forbidden Fruit, by John Zorn
  • Chamber Symphony – Roadrunner movement, by John Adams

For each piece, identify any postmodern elements that you can hear. For example, does the piece make use of popular culture references? Does it use collage or quotation with the form and meaning being driven by the juxtaposition of these elements (rather than through internal development). Are there external references? Can you recognize any quotes, or specific styles being referenced? In some cases, you should take the title into account. You may want to look up each composer on the Internet to get some background information. You should also note if you find obvious modernist elements, especially in balance to, or within postmodern contexts.

Type up your observations and email them to me (at either kkothman <at> gmail <dot> com or <at> bsu). You can send them as text in the email, or attach a Word document. Please note, if you are Windows user and have Office 2007/8, you must save your file in a backwards compatible format with Office 2004 (.doc, instead of .docx).c


Comments

2 responses to “(musTh 212) Assignment: Postmodern analysis”

  1. jenniferrife Avatar
    jenniferrife

    Is orientalism considered an internal reference. If not, what are some examples of internal references and what would you label orientalism as being (Is it just considered a postmodern element)

    I’m referring to the Zorn piece…am I full of it?

  2. Orientalism would infer that the Japanese references would be exotic and somehow inferior.

    I think in the Zorn the mix is more of equals.

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