Journal 8
In the lecture, one of the issues surrounding the sound media, is that with the rise of technology, we lose the connection and reference of sound media to a particular place, culture and people. It has gradually become a ‘generic modern consumer product’ that is lacking of characteristics and personality of a particular place, culture and society where this sound is produced.
•
Having this issue in mind, research on a musician or a music band/group, of any
country and culture, that the music displays unique personal style in terms of
aesthetics or the content that it expresses; where you can refer it to the
culture (such as musical influences from traditional music) and the society
(such as social/political/cultural issues) where this music is produced. • Research on the background of the music and
his/her culture and society, find the influence and connection between the
culture and his/her artistic product (music, in this case).
• Include links to his/her music or video
One of the
issues surrounding the sound media, is that with the rise of technology, we
lose the connection and reference of sound media to a particular place, culture
and people. It has gradually become a ‘generic modern consumer product’ that is
lacking of characteristics and personality of a particular place, culture and
society where this sound is produced.
Music that displays unique personal style, I do still remember
a group of the singers, that is still vivid in my mind until today. That is Sound
of Music- The Trapp Family Singers. I remembered in that film, Julie
Andrew played the role as Marie and lead a group of children to sing during
their journey in Austria.
I watched it
since childhood and I could never forget their unique way of singing, they looked
so carefree, they sing with only just an instrument, with beautiful gentle
voice that makes the world looks beautiful, innocent, carefree at the same
time.
This film was actually based from a real-life story. “It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp,
The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.”
“The Sound of
Music is a musical with music by Richard
Rodgers, lyrics
by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard
Lindsay and Russel
Crouse. It is based on
the memoir of Maria
von Trapp, The Story of the
Trapp Family Singers.
Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the
story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she
decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and
eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a
commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on
a plan to flee Austria with the children. Many songs from the musical have
become standards, such as "Edelweiss", "My Favorite Things", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", "Do-Re-Mi", and the title song "The Sound of Music".”
“A tuneful, hearth warming
story, Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an
Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed
naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into
the home.”
Maria Augusta von Trapp in real life was the stepmother of
the Trapp Family Singers. She was the one who wrote The Story of The Trapp
Family Singers. The Von Trapp Family inspired the Broadway musical The Sound of
Music (1959). Maria tutored the children and had developed loving and caring
relationship with them. Just like the film, she enjoyed singing with them and
always went on outdoor activities. The Trapp Families enjoyed musical activities together. As Johannes
von Trapp said in a 1998 New York Times interview,
"it's not what my family was about. . . . [We were] about good taste,
culture, all these wonderful upper-class standards that people make fun of in
movies like 'Titanic.' We're about environmental sensitivity, artistic
sensitivity. 'Sound of Music' simplifies everything. I think perhaps reality is
at the same time less glamorous but more interesting than the myth."
Von Trapp Family singers,
one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding
World War II. Soprano Lotte Lehmann heard the family sing, and she suggested
they perform at concerts. When the Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg heard
them on the radio, he invited them to perform in Vienna. Their musical talent
provided an income especially since Maria’s husband Captain von Trapp lost much
of his wealth in a banking crash during worldwide depression. He left Austria
with the family, and became their arranger, composer and conducter, right
through to 1958. They began performing around US, Canada, Europe and they became
popular under the name of “Trapp Family Choir”
They had experienced life under the Nazis
after the annexation of Austria by Germany in March 1938. They sang in their
country’s language. Their songs were more on hearth warming, family love,
Austrian country folk songs and including a way to stand against Hitler that
helps the Austrians during the war. As we could see the in the film too related
more to family and also their beautiful country Austria included the war. They
used the instrument of a spinet, a type of harpsicord. They also had their very
unique style of voice and singing that can be portrayed as family reunion,
culture, love, warmth, passion. Their style of singing also makes me feel their
culture represented in European countries.
Documentary
of the Von Trapp:
Now the next
generations, great grandchildren of the Von Trapps continue their great grandparents’
sound of music, with their unique, beautiful, sweet, carefree singing voice.
Video
of Von Trapp choir:
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