A Blogs@Baruch site
http://www.ubu.com/sound/bayle.html -Oiseau Chanteur – 1964
I initially picked this sound because I liked the speakers voice in the beginning. I like how the sound the sound goes in and out and sounds like someone is tuning a radio to different stations but it might just be all instrumental. The sound also remains me of a cartoon character getting away with something because it sounds like someone is laughing and the sound that backs it up is intense.
I enjoyed how Russolo introduced our relationship with sound in “The Art of Noises” by stating “in antiquity, life was nothing but silence….In fact, nature is normally silent, except for storms, hurricanes, avalanches, cascades, and some exceptional movements.” The start of noise was natural and unconscious because it was not man made or manipulated. This is why he goes on to say “the ear of a eighteen century man never could withstood the discordant intensity of some of the chords produced by our orchestra, on the other hand our ears rejoice in it, for they are attuned to modern life.” This makes me wonder if Russolo would be able to withstand the music we listen to in the 21st century.
It is important for noise or music to evolve and change over time because it adds to the diversity of sound that can be produced. It also allows us not to be bored or annoyed by the current state of noise. Russolo mentions that we appreciate the classics but in a way they become a cliché and we don’t want to hear them as someone from that era would. I can say that music from two centuries ago might sound outdated or overused but I’m grateful for them because they have influences in modern music. I think it’s cool that every different generation has a new library music that is created and is always available to listen.
A great fact was that “each noise possesses among its irregular vibrations a predominant pitch.” I was intrigued to learn that no matter the difference of each pitch it does not drive the noise from it authentic. This reminded me of singers who may perform their most popular songs even though the words are the same, the noise their voices make will not be exactly the same from their last performance.