Playlist for a Total Eclipse of the Sun
The moon will pass over the sun in North America Monday, treating much of the country to a full solar eclipse.
Since I didn't travel to Oregon, I'll witness a partial eclipse from my vantage in Pasadena, Calif. Since I didn't get special eclipse glasses, I won't be able to look at it, but I still feel the need to celebrate this rare celestial event, so how about a nice playlist?
To explain: my idea for this playlist is to go from light to dark, back to light again. I feel especially good about having "Anakins' Theme" in there -- it musically takes us from the light to the dark side of the Force. Then, the music gets a little dramatic and scary as the moon blots out the sun, followed by some mellow and slightly gloomy music when all is dark. And after that, the sun re-emerges, like a lark ascending. Hope you enjoy!
Here's what's on the list:
- Eugene Ysaye: Sonata No. 5, "L'Aurore" (Augustin Hadelich, violin)
- Claude Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
- John Williams: Anakin's Theme
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, IV (Bernstein, NY Phil 1979)
- Claude Debussy: String Quartet Op. 10, III (Gioviale Quartet, NEC)
- Vaughan Williams: "The Lark Ascending" (Hilary Hahn, violin)
Replies
Oh no, why'd you do that? ;)
Well, Laurie, I'm usually in Portland, Oregon, and I hear that at this very moment it's spectacular. However, today I'm riding a train from Essex Junction, Vermont, to Washington, D.C. I won't see much, but since they have WiFi on this train, I'll listen to your list. I'll also listen to The Beatles playing, "Here Comes The Sun".
It's coming a bit far north for "Moon Over Miami" and a bit far south for "Moonlight In Vermont" but "Old Devil Moon" works everywhere!
I just viewed. We're supposed to get 90% here in Blacksburg. So far ... Pac-Man!
Nice music addition and creative use of this great event!
I'm in throes of it right now and I could swear I feel a slight sensation.Like you feel when your equilibrium is slightly off.
No I haven't been drinking! ;)
I'm right there with you, Tim. Contact buzz?
Robert and I happened to be walking through the Cal Tech campus at 10:15 this morning, when the eclipse (partial, for us in southern California) was at its peak. The lawn was teeming with science-y fans wearing NASA-issued eclipse classes, adjusting cameras, trying to get pinhole-box contraptions to work and generally celebrating this interesting moment. I enjoyed the sickle-shaped sun shadows most, though!
At around 10:00 a.m. this morning, I noticed that I couldn't see the sunlight very much any more, so I knew the eclipse was at its peak.
Laurie, that playlist was a great idea. I really enjoyed the music. I would also suggest the sunrise theme from Also Spruch Zarathustra, one of my personal favorites. Thanks so much.
The list is "endless" of what Laurie could have chosen:
Parts of Haydn's Creation
Bach's In Dulce Jubilo Prelude (Fantasia)
Shostakovich Piano Quintet
Beethoven Op 10 No 3 Slow Movement
Brahms 6th Intermezzo
Rossini William Tell overture (in its entirety might do the whole eclipse)
Schubert D887 II (for terrors of the night)
etc
etc
Yes! There are so many possibilities!
Ravel's Bolero - slow but sure!
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August 21, 2017 at 12:41 PM · Darn it all ... I accidentally looked at your graphic without my special viewing glasses on. Now I can't read my orchestra parts.