At first, when I was trying to determine my criteria for the assignment, I thought I probably will choose the songs based on my favourite pieces. I thought that other lifeforms may want to hear the most beautiful compositions from our earth. I was surprised how quickly my criteria changed while listening to the podcast episode and taking into account their input.
When listening to each song, I worked through various stereotypes and biases of the lifeform that would intercept this record. At first, I assumed they would have our intelligence or higher. I then thought they may not have evolved as we have so wondered what creatures the audience of this is.
When communicating, it is integral to consider your audience. I felt that I shifted my original focus from only wanting to select beautiful songs (which the only criteria would be if I enjoyed listening to them and wanted to hear more), to just wanting to make sure they could hear, interpret or comprehend the music that was delivered on the golden record. I wanted to make sure varied aspects of our civilization on earth had been covered. I wanted to showcase how humans live and interact with our planet. I also wanted to vary the type of musical formats to ensure there is a greater chance the recipients could receive the sound. I have listed my top ten choices below and have a brief reason for my selection.
10. Java, court gamelan, “Kinds of Flowers,” recorded by Robert Brown. 4:43
As the podcast host and guest (Taylor, n.d) identify, this piece shares information about our earth through naming flowers and offers symbolism of spiritual and physical states. This piece fits my criteria in that it is sharing substantial information through songs about elements of nature and human connection on earth. I thought that this was one of the only songs that featured the inter-connected dynamics of our planet.
9. Australia, Aborigine songs, “Morning Star” and “Devil Bird,” recorded by Sandra LeBrun Holmes. 1:26
This song made the list because of the low sound that is made. Including this song is important if the recipients of the golden record can only understand this low vibrational tone.
8. Japan, shakuhachi, “Tsuru No Sugomori” (“Crane’s Nest,”) performed by Goro Yamaguchi. 4:51
I chose this song, as it is composed using a bamboo flute. I felt that if there is a chance that a flute made out of a similar plant like bamboo was made by another planet, then they may have produced similar sounds. Also, because it is made out of bamboo, they would be able to know more about our foliage on earth.
7. Mozart, The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night aria, no. 14. Edda Moser, soprano. Bavarian State Opera, Munich, Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor. 2:55
The vocals of this opera song show how sophisticated our music is. Also, it represents the talents of humans to use their voices in impressive ranges.
6. Georgian S.S.R., chorus, “Tchakrulo,” collected by Radio Moscow. 2:18
Since the theme of this song is preparing for battle, it was important to include this song to feature an element of humans on earth- war. War and conflict have been common to civilizations on earth, and this is another identifier of our planet.
5. Peru, panpipes and drum, collected by Casa de la Cultura, Lima. 0:52
I liked this sound and wanted to include a song with drums and panpipes because it would be my assumption this may be an early musical instrument for another lifeform. Of course, this is an assumption made by comparing our evolution of music. Another assumption is that the lifeforms are not as sophisticated as ours. Regardless of the recipients recognizing the sounds, I felt drums also are iconic to many cultures around the world.
4. Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, First Movement, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor. 7:20 – This selection I chose for the high and low range of frequencies, considering another lifeform may not be able to hear a particular frequency, this song hosts high and low musical notes, encouraging communication being passed to the other lifeforms. I also included it as this is a common and familiar sound.
3. Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
The vocals on this song were the driving pull to this song. My thought is that if other life forms can make noises and have voice boxes like us, they may recognize some of the sounds. The theme of the song represents a familiar celebratory and ceremonial practice to humans i.e. a wedding, which is something to remember about the people on our planet.
2. India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
This song I felt represents South Asian music and wanted to ensure that part of the world was represented. I also find the song so peaceful and inviting, and an important feeling to send to other lifeforms.
1. “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson. 3:15
The Voyager Golden Record hosts talk about how this piece reflects poverty. World Vision (2021) identifies that 689 million people around the world live in poverty. I think it is important for this musical piece to be included for other life forms to know that we have a lot of humans on our earth who suffer, and live in poor conditions. Although there is a golden record being sent to them, this shows a realistic perspective of how many people on earth live.
References
Peer, A. (2021, August 23). Global poverty: Facts, faqs, and how to help. World Vision. https://www.worldvision.org/sponsorship-news-stories/global-poverty-facts#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%2010.5,ability%20to%20meet%20basic%20needs
Taylor, Dallas, host. “Voyager Golden Record.” Twenty thousand hertz. N.d. https://www.20k.org/episodes/voyagergoldenrecord?rq=golden