Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”
⁃ Leonard Bernstein.
The following pieces of music were chosen by members of the GPAC Youth Symphony Program. They represent expressions of trying to explain feelings of anxiety and isolation, hope and comfort, or mental escapes where, even for just a minute, our minds are free to dream and imagine again. It is our hope that these songs of clarity and hope will provide empathy and encouragement as we walk through this time together.
Title: “Appalachian Spring (Suite for 13 Instruments)”
Composer: Aaron Copland Performers: Harmonie Ensemble NY “The piece that has given me hope recently is Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite. The piece starts so peacefully as the sun rises and day begins. Then things get exciting, filled with anticipation. We eventually get to the famous simple gifts section, but my favorite part is what follows after: the evening prayer that seems to whisper, “Life is hard and always has been. But it’ll be ok. Keep working, fighting, and loving each other with all you have.” As the piece ends, we hear the opening theme again, reminding me that while we're entering the dark of night, a new spring day full of life is indeed coming.” |
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Title: "Keep Your Head Up"
Artist: Andy Grammer |
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Title: “Hold On”
Artist: Judah & The Lion “This has recently been a nice pick me up song that's pretty far out of my musical comfort zone. It's upbeat and a bit reminiscent of an afternoon picnic outside. Just another bright light in the dreariness of self isolation.” |
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Title: “Symphony 45: ‘Farewell,' IV. Finale”
Composer: Joseph Haydn Performers: New Century Chamber Orchestra "Here is the final movement of the "Farewell Symphony" by Franz Joseph Haydn. Haydn meant it as a humorous way to get a message to his patron about either giving the orchestra members a vacation, or of how sad it would be if the orchestra were to be dismantled. (Stories conflict.) Anyway, it reminds me of how we can't meet right now and how I miss seeing everyone, but I have faith that we will all be together making music again in the future. As you watch the final movement of this symphony, you will notice about 3 minutes into the piece, that the orchestra members start getting up and leaving. In the original performance, the musicians got up, blew out their candle, and left the stage. Today, the musicians turn off their stand lights and leave the stage. In this video, they humorously make a more flamboyant exit. Enjoy!" |
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Title: "Hold On"
Artists: Alabama Shakes "The singer's voice has a raspy and beautiful sense of urgency to it; reminding us all to just hold on during this time." |
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Title: "The Planets - Jupiter
Composer: Gustav Holst Performers: Chicago Symphony Orchestra “I feel like this song expresses sadness and hope at the same time. The deep, soothing tune at the beginning of the hymn could represent an aching sadness, and as a canon starts and the peace progresses, a new hope is found.” |
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Title: "I Feel Love"
Artist: Donna Summer "No matter what, this musical gem of the disco era always gets me feeling spunky, and it's something that's been putting a pep in my step amidst all of this confusion and anxiety." |
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Title: "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: I. Morning Mood"
Composer: Edvard Grieg Performers: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra “Morning Mood, by Edvard Grieg, is always a song that I listen to when in need of calm. Its soothing and uplifting melody never ceases to clear my mind. In addition, the song creates an image of a sunrise, representative of new beginnings and offering hope.” |
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Title: "Sunday Best"
Artists: Surfaces "The pop song, "Sunday Best," is an upbeat song sung by the musical group the Surfaces. Along with the lively tunes of the song, the words are encouraging and positivity is radiated throughout the entire song. By listening to this song, you'll have a more optimistic perspective of the times we are going through right now." “The song Sunday Best by Surfaces is a happy, upbeat song that you should listen to during quarantine. The lyrics constantly remind you to feel good and feel blessed, things we often forget to do during this time. Along with encouraging lyrics, the music and beat will put you in a better mood." |
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Title: "Reverie"
Composer: Claude Debussy Performer: Kathryn Stott "I think this piece represents peace and hope." |
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Title: "Ocean"
Artist: John Butler Version: 2012 Studio |
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Title: “Afro-American Symphony – I. Moderato Assai”
Composer: William Grant Still Performers: Detroit Symphony Orchestra "It is a really cool blend of classical and jazz and the four movements explore different emotions of every day life" |
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Title: "Under the Sea"
Artist: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman "I chose "Under the Sea" because it has a nice, moderate tempo (not too fast, not too slow), with an upbeat melody and hilarious lyrics, which never fails to lighten my mood by distracting me from negative thoughts. One of the lyrics in the song reminded me of the fun times I have had playing in GYSO. The middle of the song goes, "The newt play the flute/The carp play the harp/The plaice play the bass," and so on, listing the instruments in our orchestra. It also captures how I used to enjoy staying at home when the quarantine started with the line, "Life is the bubbles." Oddly, my current feelings about the quarantine can be also be expressed by the lyrics, "The fish on the land ain't happy/They sad 'cause they in their bowl," as I am currently "unhappy" and feel like "a fish in the bowl"." |
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Title: "Essence of Being Stuck"
Composer: Dannie Dong (age 14, member of GPACYSO) Performer: Dannie Dong "This piece is adapted from Brandon Maahs's soundtrack, Essence, and it symbolizes the feeling of just wanting to break free of the bonds and constraints of being at home." |
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Title: "Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1, IV. Sarabande
Composer: J. S. Bach Performer: Yo Yo Ma "While the technique isn’t incredibly difficult, the emotions displayed throughout the piece capture the attention of any listener. The simplicity/beauty of the piece captures the cello’s tone in a way different than most others." |
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Title: “Souvenir de Florence, I. Allegro con spirito”
Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Performers: Janine Jansen and Friends "To me, this performance exudes what music is all about. The musicians have worked hard on their individual instruments and parts; they know the music intimately and how their parts fit together. They also clearly love what they are doing; their enjoyment is all over their facial expressions and body language. Beyond that, however, is the ultimate musical experience: communication - first musically with each other as they help each other mold the intricate shapes and interwoven phrases, and then with eye contact and movement to create some subtle expressive magic, and finally with the audience by sharing the results of all those elements and accepting the well-deserved appreciation." |
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Title: “Merry-Go-Round of Life” (from ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’)
Artist: Joe Hisaishi "This song is helping me during this time in isolation because it reminds me of one of my favorite movies ever. Although it is for the soundtrack of a movie, it is beautifully written and the blend of the string instruments and piano parts expresses many different emotions. The different sections reflect the ups and downs of this year and the chaos right before the resolution at the end of the piece is very hopeful, which is why I have been listening to this song during these times." |
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Title: "Canon in D"
Composer: Johann Pachelbel Performers: Brooklyn Duo |
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Title: "Covid 19"
Artist: Jennifer Corday Original: "Bohemian Rhapsody" Artist: Queen This song is a parody of "Bohemian Rhapsody," and it helps capture what is currently happening all over the world. It also has a bit of humor in it, which brings up my spirits when I feel tired from staying at home all day. Of course, the original version cannot be beaten and should be given attention too, so the YouTube link to the original version is: https://youtu.be/axAtWjn3MfI. |
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Title: “I Can Only Imagine”
Artist: J. Michael Finley "As I go through this pandemic it is a very lonely time, but I view this time as a way to build on my spirituality as I couldn’t live without Jesus and his strength. This song gives me hope and visions that God and Jesus are always near me and will guide me away from these disasters." |
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Title: "River Flows in You"
Artist: Yiruma |
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Title: “Oceans (Where Feet may Fail)"
Artists: Hillsong United “The song that I listen to when I feel bleak or sad is Oceans by Hillsong United. "Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me, you've never failed and you won't start now." It reminds me that I'm not alone and that I can get through this. Plus the melody is beautiful and I love singing it.” |
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Title: “A New Pair of Wings”
Artists: PMV (featuring Vylet Pony) |
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