Task 8 – Golden Record Curation

Looking and listening through the Golden Record, it was so difficult to narrow the 27 recordings to 10. Considering this was sent into space over 40 years ago, these recordings are very much a snapshot in time. I believe was one of the pieces that made this task difficult. Also, many of the tracks are recordings that we just don’t hear regularly in mainstream media here in Canada.

But, like Dr. Smith Rumsey discussed in her lecture “Digital Memory: What Can We Afford to Lose” (2017), we need to look at the past to determine what is needed for the future. These songs have helped to lay the foundation for music as it is today.

I chose my songs based on personal connections and memories. Very few of these songs do I listen to today. The first five songs I chose include some of the classical tracks on the record. While I don’t normally listen to classical music, ever since my first year at UBC in 2000, I have listened to classical music while studying, completing assignments or working on report cards.

1. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F. First Movement, Munich Bach Orchestra, Karl Richter, conductor.
   • The light tones of the flute make this an easy “studying song.” To be stereotypical, most girls played wind instruments while I was in high school band, but I didn’t want to sit in the front (see #8 below for my choice of instrument).
2. Bach, “Gavotte en rondeaux” from the Partita No. 3 in E major for Violin, performed by Arthur Grumiaux.
   • I would love to be able to play the violin and admire the few friends I have that play.
3. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, Prelude and Fugue in C, No.1. Glenn Gould, piano.
   • I took piano lessons for many years as a child. I still love hearing the impact of light touches on the keys.
4. Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, First Movement, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor.
   • This is a classic. I love the progression and feeling from just the first four notes.
5. Beethoven, String Quartet No. 13 in B flat, Opus 130, Cavatina, performed by Budapest String Quartet.
   • A smooth romantic song, this was one that had in my regular study music rotation.
6. “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry.
   • I love classic rock so this was an easy choice. A true “classic”.
7. “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson.
   • As a fan of the blues, the slide guitar in this song is beautiful. His smooth humming adds a solemn tone to compliment the guitar.
8. “Melancholy Blues,” performed by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven.
   • The brass is what gets me with this song. I played the trombone for 7 years and still pick out the notes behind the trumpet! While I haven’t kept up with playing, I still love the tone of brass instruments.
9. Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes.
   • I was lucky to get my first teaching job in Lillooet, BC in 2005. A community rich in indigenous culture and history, this song reminds me of our many events we hosted at the school to ensure the local songs and dances were remembered.
10. Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México.
    • This track reminds me of nights at Las Margarita’s on 4th Avenue in Vancouver during my earlier years at UBC! There was often live music from a corner of the room setting a lively mood.

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Click here for a playlist of the Golden Record.

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Reference:

Brown University. (2017). Abby Smith Rumsey: “Digital Memory: What Can We Afford to Lose?”. Accessed via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=FBrahqg9ZMc&feature=emb_logo