I found this task incredibly challenging, as I would likely struggle choosing 10 songs that sum up this past year, let alone humanity’s entire existence. I think the most important component to consider when approaching this assignment is equal representation. Including all parts of the world, different cultures, time periods and types of music is vital to creating an accurate depiction of “The Earth’s greatest hits”. I think the album naturally does a great job of avoiding a bias and including equal representation.

Another concept which I hadn’t considered prior to listening to the podcast, “Twenty Thousand Hertz”, is what if the recipients of the album do not have the ability to hear or have different interpretations of timing or rhythm. This was the creators of the album’s reasoning for the inclusion of mathematically composed pieces by Bach and Beethoven. It is also the reason I chose to include pieces by these musicians.

Here is my list. I attempted to make it both “Personal and universal”, as described by the original creators of the album.

Top 10:

• “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson. 3:15
• Senegal, percussion, recorded by Charles Duvelle. 2:08
• Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, First Movement, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor. 7:20
• “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry. 2:38
• China, ch’in, “Flowing Streams,” performed by Kuan P’ing-hu. 7:37
• Holborne, Paueans, Galliards, Almains and Other Short Aeirs, “The Fairie Round,” performed by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort of London. 1:17
• Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
• Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F. First Movement, Munich Bach Orchestra, Karl Richter, conductor. 4:40
• Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes. 0:57
• Beethoven, String Quartet No. 13 in B flat, Opus 130, Cavatina, performed by Budapest String Quartet. 6:37