At my last IArts class, Pulitzer Prize winner, Joelle Wallach lectured us on Women Composers through out the centuries. The way that Wallach spoke to us, you could see her passion for music. And you could also see her frustration with the "generation gap" she was in shock that we didn't know who certain composers were, and yet I was kind of shocked that a great composer does not know how to work their own itunes. However, I really did enjoy her lecture. Wallach discussed with us women composers from the Dark and Middle ages all the way to our time today. Out of all the women she discussed, my two favorite were the first two that she talked about: Saint Kassia and Hildegard Von Bingen. They were both nuns, and their faith had a great impact on their music. It sounded so whimsical and peaceful. I found it interesting how Hildegard had visions which helped her create her music.
On a final note, I asked Wallach who her favorite composer was out of all the ones she talked about, she replied, that it was all the composers on the slide entitled "Our Time." And lastly, I strongly agreed with Wallach when she stated, "I've written a lot of things in Virginia that I could not write in New York." It makes me feel as if VA and NY are worlds apart with different lifestyle but they both consist a great culture and history of art.
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Lori, I picked up on the "Generation Gap," too. I think this raises an interesting question about culture. What is it and what makes it up? It used to be that a "cultured" person was knowledgeable and aware of the works of Mozart, Bach and Chopin, but as the years go by their importance--or perceived importance--has diminished. What defines "culture" today? What does it mean to be a "cultured" person? And what are the advantages/virtues of being cultured?
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