Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath
The Future of Avantgarde-Music
Blaha, Malte C.
Matrikelnummer 7509502
Guest lecture:
In a recent guest lecture, the topic of Afrofuturism
and its relationship to music and sound was explored. The lecturer emphasized
the importance of understanding the context and reference points of music and
sound, as well as how they can be split into different parameters. The
cyberpunk movement was also discussed in terms of its weightless and
transcendental qualities, reminiscent of "Blade Runner." The
combination of science fiction and real sounds creates a unique dimension that
is fundamental to Afrofuturism music.
The lecture delved into the musical style of Sun Ra,
an Afrofuturist musician who arrived on Earth from Saturn and "left the
planet" in 1993. Sun Ra's music embodies the Afrofuturist ideals of using
art to escape and fight against the white patriarchal world of imprisonment.
His music features typical blues elements from the 1920s, jazz elements such as
trumpets and saxophones, and double singing voices. The clapping and use of the
“glockenspiel” provide a musical DNA for Afrofuturism music, which resembles a
lot of Black church music. The lecturer suggested thinking of music as
technology and considering its purpose in a broader context.
There was also a discussion on the technical
advancements in music, such as the use of synthesizers in "Jazz Rock
Funk" by Herbie Hancock and Curtis Mayfield. The music of Afrofuturism is
timeless, with a powerful and happy tone that inspires listeners. The lecturer
also emphasized the importance of considering the cultural background from
which music is produced and how it is addressed to someone. Ultimately, it was
revealed that sound and music play an essential role in Afrofuturism, which uses
art to imagine a better future and fight against oppression.
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