After reviewing the Golden record’s musical contents, I have curated the following ten pieces from the twenty-seven pieces:
- Beethoven, String Quartet No. 13 in B flat, Opus 130, Cavatina, performed by Budapest String Quartet. 6:37
- Mozart, The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night aria, no. 14. Edda Moser, soprano. Bavarian State Opera, Munich, Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor. 2:55
- Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes. 0:57
- China, ch’in, “Flowing Streams,” performed by Kuan P’ing-hu. 7:37
- India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
- Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México. 3:14
- Holborne, Paueans, Galliards, Almains and Other Short Aeirs, “The Fairie Round,” performed by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort of London. 1:17
- Japan, shakuhachi, “Tsuru No Sugomori” (“Crane’s Nest,”) performed by Goro Yamaguchi. 4:51
- Peru, panpipes and drum, collected by Casa de la Cultura, Lima. 0:52
- “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry. 2:38
In selecting the ten pieces, I tried to remember the intention of this record, that is to include sounds that portray the diversity of life and culture on earth. I included a variety of music from different parts of the world. In narrowing down my choices further, I decided to select pieces that evoked strong emotions while listening as well. If I had to add something to this record, I’d say it’s missing laughter as well as a newborn baby crying. These two sounds are important aspects of human life.