Category Archives: Arachnophonia

Arachnophonia: tick, tick … BOOM!

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Marissa (class of 2025) and features the complete book and lyrics of Jonathan Larson’s tick, tick … BOOM!. Thanks, Marissa!

tick, tick … BOOM!

Jonathan Larson with script consultant David Auburn

tick tick boom complete book and lyrics

Known for his phenomenal Broadway show Rent, Jonathan Larson was a musical genius of the 80s and 90s. Recently popularized by Netflix in the film tick, tick… BOOM! starring Andrew Garfield, this musical tells the tale of Jonathan Larson’s trials and tribulations as an almost 30-year-old musical writer in New York City (before the creation of Rent). Although Larson sadly passed away before he could see Rent’s Broadway debut, his impact on the world of music will never be forgotten.

Tick, Tick– Boom! by Jonathan Larson and Script Consultant David Auburn is a look into the mind of Jonathan Larson, including the lyrics and music to his lesser known, Off-Broadway show Tick, Tick… Boom!. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the world of Jonathan Larson before Rent. This book is available now at the Parsons Music Library, along with a wide selection of other musical hits.

Arachnophonia: Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Esther (class of 2025) and features a collection of Mozart’s letters. Thanks, Esther!

Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life: Selected Letters
Edited and translated by Robert Spaethling

Portrait of a young Mozart

Portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the age of 13 in Verona, 1770

When we first hear the term “classical music,” we often think of great composers like Beethoven and Mozart. Despite his relatively short life, Mozart is known and celebrated for his prodigious musicality and influential compositions even to this day. But what was Mozart like? You may know several of his pieces, but have you taken the time to consider the person behind these famous pieces?

There’s no better way of being first introduced to Mozart’s private life than Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life by Robert Spaethling. Spaethling, a scholar of German literature of the 19th and 20th centuries and Mozart, has carefully chosen and depicted a compilation of Mozart’s letters spanning twenty-two years of the young composer’s life. Spaethling’s most recent edit of these letters provides us with the most accurate translation to appropriately convey Mozart’s nuanced personality.

Mozarts Letters Mozarts Life

Through Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life, we are invited to explore Mozart’s innermost thoughts and raw perspective of life. In addition to the analysis of the different voices that shine through in Mozart’s candid letters, Spaethling includes information, such as various life events throughout the composer’s life, that encourages us to think deeply and have greater appreciation for the person behind these great works.

Arachnophonia: A New Dawn Fades “I See The Nightbirds”

Posted on by
1

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Esther (class of 2025) and features a locally produced album by A New Dawn Fades. Thanks, Esther!

A New Dawn Fades

I See The Nightbirds

A New Dawn Fades - "I See The Nightbirds" album cover

I See the Nightbirds by A New Dawn Fades is a new album released by Cherub Records. The title song’s polyrhythmic beat, complimentary guitar and bass lines, and attractive transitions converge to create a distinctive musical picture. The gradual accumulation of tension yet unrushed nature of the piece is what results in the captivating arch shape drawn throughout the song.

Cherub Records, founded by PJ Sykes in 2001, is an outlet through which Sykes and his friends communicate their music to the rest of the world. Though originally located in Lynchburg, VA, Cherub Records has now moved to the city of Richmond where they document and release music of numerous bands. Their curious exploration of music conveyed through improvised pieces has been one of the defining traits of this band. Furthermore, they are known for blurring the line drawn between the audience and performers by interacting with the crowd during their live performances.

Because Richmond is known for its unique sense of community, supporting our local musicians is significant in allowing the local music scene to grow and thrive. It gives us the opportunity to experience new music specific to our area and builds mutual support between the musicians and ourselves. I assure you, I See the Nightbirds will make you reflect on the vast range of what music encompasses and what makes it truly special.