Task 8: Golden Record Curation 

Initially, this task frightened me. After briefly looking through the task, I realized I only knew one or two tracks listed. However, after listening to the podcast describing the project and the specific selections, I realized being familiar with the songs wasn’t the purpose of this project. The Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast on the Voyager Golden Record made the point of saying that it wasn’t about creating a list of music that represented the greatest hits of all time, it was about representing life through music that represented planet earth as a whole. Therefore, I recognized that pieces were picked based on locations on earth, cultural representations, instrument recognition, and emotional impact. While listening to the podcast, I started spiralling about the “what if’s?” What if this never reaches anyone or anything? Yet, my question was answered later on in the podcast after Einstein’s imagination quote was brought up about imagination versus knowledge. We really don’t know if it will ever reach anyone or anything, however, what is the harm in creating any sort of possible chance? There were a couple of ways I developed my list; title and recognition, emotional impact, and cultural significance. I also tried to pick music that represented different areas from earth as hopefully beings who may find this one day will recognize the difference of each track and break down that there may be different ways of life on earth.

Here are my top 10 songs: 

1. “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry. 2:38
   • I chose this song primarily because it was the one song I could recognize the title and know the melody. I find it uplifting and positive and it represents the English language well.
2. Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, First Movement, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor. 7:20
   • I chose this song because I find it intense, challenging, and strong. I believe it creates emotions of empowerment and strength. Furthermore, it was another track that I recognized and resonated with.
3. Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
   • Although short, the meaning and emotion behind the music is powerful. After listening to the podcast, I learned that this song is about females getting married too young. I sensed pain and sorrow in her voice and realized that it represented humans ability to feel different emotions. If they were to compare this to another track, hopefully those would be able to represent the differences between tones.
4. China, ch’in, “Flowing Streams,” performed by Kuan P’ing-hu. 7:37
   • I chose this track because of the curiosity that formed in my brain after listening to it. The instruments are so unique that it shows the ability to tell a story without using actual language. I think it represents the foundation of music and humans learned practice with instruments.
5. “Melancholy Blues,” performed by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven. 3:05
   • This song appealed to me as it’s sound represents optimism and delight. Its tune is infectious and makes you want to keep listening. This song captures humans ability to make musical stories without human voices.
6. Georgian S.S.R., chorus, “Tchakrulo,” collected by Radio Moscow. 2:18
   • I specifically selected this track as I feel it represents the range of human voice very well. The track is filled with long melodies and vocals. It shows the ability to extend our voices in different ways and represent music through emotional sound.
7. Mozart, The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night aria, no. 14. Edda Moser, soprano. Bavarian State Opera, Munich, Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor. 2:55
   • This song was an important part of the top 10 as really, Mozart was a genius. If we were to be represented for this by people , I’d most likely pick him for top 10 too. However, this specific musical track shows so much emotion and elegance. The range of the lead vocalist is spectacular and shows contrast to different tracks I’ve picked. Additionally, this track represents humans ability to be complex and exquisite.
8. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, Prelude and Fugue in C, No.1. Glenn Gould, piano. 4:48
   • I chose this track as it may help other beings recognize we created different notes with music. The piano is clear and can be easily understood that different notes and tones are being played to create the piece. The piano is more significant in this track and could symbolize humans ability to be innovative with design of instruments.
9. India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
   • This track represents humans ability to interact with different languages. The song clearly tells a story and if compared to another track using an alternate language, the emotion could be pulled to make connections to languages holding the same purpose — to communicate with each other.
10. Japan, shakuhachi, “Tsuru No Sugomori” (“Crane’s Nest,”) performed by Goro Yamaguchi. 4:51
    • My last choice. I chose this song specifically because it reminded me of nature. The sounds represented the idea that humans are not the only living things on this planet, we are surrounded by different species across the world. I feel as this song offers a strong connection to the natural world.