https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx en-us 2021-02-23 20:11:35 UTC 2023-05-24 19:57:24 UTC hello@padlet.com rpost9519 https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233553787 More often than not, when a composer is alive, their music is not enjoyed by the general population, prompting scathing reviews from critics. Most composers don't ever get to see critical acclaim, and doesn't come for centuries. One such example is Igor Stravinsky and his ballet. Stravinsky was somewhat of an avant-garde composer, on the cusp between more familiar romantic and classical constructions of music in the 19th century and the new, developing form of 20th century music, featuring composers such as Shostakovich and Stravinsky. His construction of the ballet, including the musical orchestration, choreography, and costumes were all somewhat uncomfortable for the audience, and at times quite heavy and grotesque. Some even purport that the first night reaction culminated in a massive riot in Paris. Today, however, the Rite of Spring is viewed in a much different lens. It is performed frequently, and is loved by audiences. The music is quite harsh at some points, but society has come to accept that as Stravinsky's musical expression -- not necessarily an abhorrent transgression of music and society.]]> 2021-02-23 20:12:09 UTC https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233553787 rpost9519 https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233621269 Very infrequently do I listen to music that is not complete orchestral, so I am going to use an excerpt from a cello concerto, but hope to explain this specific passage enough to where it is just as powerful as using words.
Elgar's Cello Concerto was the last piece Elgar wrote -- afflicted by health problems, and traumatized by his wife's death he tried but failed to write any other piece. I believe that Elgar's own dying creative genius is evident in the concerto, and there is much expression and sorrow exhibited in the piece. Not to mention it was composed during the time of World War I, which Elgar was very much emotionally and mentally affected by, which contributed to his emotional last piece, as well.
There is a passage that comes from near the beginning that I believe perfectly encapsulates Emerson's message -- the cello opens with bombastic and heavy chords, accompanied by a very simple, but powerful low E in the cellos and basses. I think that the cello's independence from the rest of the orchestra exemplifies Emerson's message of not being conformist to society's demands or wishes. The cello (the individual) is unabashedly expressing itself, with no concern to what the rest of the orchestra (society) is doing. Emerson asserts that the individual should not feel bound by the confines of society, and in a sense, should leave the confines of society to truly express oneself, just like the cello in the opening with the bombastic chords. "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist."

Or, just like I did with choosing an orchestral, non lyrical piece, instead of a lyrical piece :)]]> 2021-02-23 20:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233621269 rpost9519 https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233684625 "Nothing is at last sacred but the
integrity of our own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world."]]> 2021-02-23 20:45:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233684625 rpost9519 https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233702874 Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation seems like an unlikely choice to embody the qualities described by Emerson, but I think he is a very good match.
Ron Swanson is known for his completely libertarian views on government, similar to Emerson's description of government and society being "in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." He believes that he and everyone else would be much better left alone by the government, allowing for an easier life and easier realization of one's desires and goals.
Ron Swanson is not a conformist in the slightest. He hates the celebration of birthdays, constructs canoes for use in the wilderness, and spends months on end in the wilderness after his ex-wife -- "Tammy One" -- comes back as an IRS agent seeking an audit from him. Ron thoroughly embodies Emerson's assertion of "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist."
Ron is also sometimes misunderstood. His expression of love and emotion is very different from the rest of us. He becomes very paranoid at one point, and determines that the the best course of action for him would be to pull himself completely off the grid, for his family's safety. He ends up going overboard, in the words of his girlfriend, and decides not to continue on his expedition to remove himself from the grid. In Ron's mind, he was doing it to protect himself and his family, but ultimately is misunderstood. But many of Ron's friends and family would say that he is a great man, fully embodying Emerson's characterization that "to be great is to be misunderstood."]]> 2021-02-23 20:50:16 UTC https://padlet.com/rpost9519/4ldc70qdl62v3ajx/wish/1233702874