Listening to and analyzing music is right in my wheelhouse, especially for a selection as diverse as the tracks used for the Golden Records. To help guide myself in narrowing the selection to 10 pieces, I took a number of factors into consideration:

  • Historical significance (is the piece connected to a renowned composer or important event in our history?)
  • Cultural significance & diversity (I wanted as much of the unique music of the world represented as possible rather than, for example, “popular” pieces or pieces only from well-known composers)
  • Musical diversity (differing styles & genres, instrumental and/or vocal, etc.)
  • Personal significance

#1. J.S. Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major, BWV 870” from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2

This piece is part of a larger set of two books, The Well-Tempered Clavier, in which Bach wrote a prelude and fugue for each major and minor key in music, leading to 48 compositions in 24 keys, which is an impressive feat all on its own. Baroque music adhered to the rules of counterpoint, where every note had to be carefully constructed with consideration to its neighboring notes, both horizontally (melody) and vertically (chord) so that certain intervals were avoided, leading to very “calculated” music. Though regarded as “strict,” this counterpoint allowed Bach to continually develop musical ideas in up to four simultaneous voices as seen in this piece. The significance of Bach’s contribution can be seen through his music being used to improve piano technique while the rules of Baroque counterpoint are still taught in music theory classes with reference to his works (though modern composers have largely moved away from those conventions since his time).

#2. Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5, 1st movement”

There is a reason that both Bach and Beethoven have more than one track on the Golden Voyager Record. This symphony, composer in the late Classical period, is instantly recognizable from the opening notes, known as a motif in music. Those four notes alone are so distinguishable that they have been used well beyond the time when they were put to paper by Beethoven – its rhythmic pattern was the “V for Victory” Allied symbol in WWII, it has been inserted in movies as dramatic stings, and it is even referenced in memes today.

#3. Georgia Choir “Tchakrulo” from Georgia

This choral folk song gave me chills when I heard it for the first time. The constant drone lays a solid foundation for the other voices to create beautiful harmonies, and learning of its history as a battle preparation song explains why this group sings out so passionately. Even though I do not understand the language, I can feel the weight of each word.

#4. “Izlel je Delyo Hagdutin” from Bulgaria
This piece is sonically rich, evident in the interplay between the singer and the instruments in their melodies, dynamics, and timbres. The brief interludes almost seem to suggest a call-and-response form, which make the song even more powerful when the voice comes back in. To me, the instrumentation reminds me of the soundtrack of the Witcher, one of my favourite game franchises, in which the composer, Marcin Przybylowicz, was inspired by Slavic culture and music.

#5. “Navajo Night Chant” from the United States

I think it is important to include this song for its importance as a ceremony and healing ritual in Navajo culture, who in turn should be acknowledged as part of our history. This selection is a prime example of how music does not require fancy production tools or even expensive instruments to thrive and bring a community together. The night chant also has the additional benefit of introducing any listeners to how the Navajo people approach medicine and health.

#6. “Flowing Streams” from China

The guqin has thousands of years of history and requires a lot of time and dedication to play proficiently. Hearing this instrument on its own without any accompanying voices or instruments brings a sense of inner peace. Chosen not only for its dynamic and stylistic contrast, the range of the guqin also impresses me with all of the harmonics it can use to tell a story.

#7. “Jaat Kahan Ho” from India

Using a collection of pitches called a raga or raag, this piece has transformed culturally from its original intended performance in the morning to one performed as a closing number. The specific framework here is called Bhairavi, and it is similar to Baroque counterpoint in that there are rules that must be followed, but in doing so a composer has more freedom in some ways to create unique melodies. The raag also calls for improvisation, an important facet of music that is used in many other genres and styles, most notably in jazz.

#8. “Panpipes” from the Solomon Islands

The panpipes are created from bamboo, the perfect showcase of an instrument made with the assistance of natural resources. They play an important role in the culture of the Solomon Islands, used for various rituals and ceremonies and often played in groups. Perhaps because they are made from nature, hearing the panpipes evoke a sense of wayfaring and life by the sea in my ear.

#9. Mozart’s “Queen of the Night” Aria from The Magic Flute

Like Bach and Beethoven, Mozart left a lasting impression on the world with his music. The Magic Flute is one of his most well-known operas in the world, and the Queen of the Night Aria is notorious for its difficulty for sopranos. I remember watching a video of Diana Damrau singing it when I was much younger and I was in awe at how flawlessly she navigated the runs and high notes in the song. She truly showcased the flexibility and potential of the human voice, and I think that alone makes this piece deserving of a spot on this list.

#10. “El Cascabel” from Mexico

Harmonically, only a few repeated chords are present, mostly consisting of the tonic and the dominant, where the harmonically tense dominant wants to resolve to the stable tonic. This back-and-forth gives the sense that the song can go on for as long as the musicians would like. While it may be perceived as “simple,” the amount of variation in the melody and accompaniment is inspiring, fueled by the South American mariachi style, with its driving guitar rhythms and the sharp punctuation of the brass instruments.