Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath
The Future of Avantgarde-Music
Blaha, Malte C.
Matrikelnummer 7509502
Listening report –
John Oswald
I would describe John Oswald’s
music as a radical sonic exploration that defies conventional Mash-Up-Music.
Listening to the complete Album of Oswald, it is safe to state that he
challenges the very foundations of music. He kind of bends the boundaries of sound
and rhythm to create a wholly unique sonic experience. It sounds like a
fearless approach and experimentation of what music and Avantgarde Music can
be. It is a mixture of a-rhythmical sounds that tend to make sense when put
together. Then, Oswald interrupts the melody and the Mash-Up with something
completely different. The result can vary in the sense of musical recognition.
While one person might hear the vibrant sounds of singing women, the other
person might hear the outstanding cut rhythms that have a similar
characterization than early Rock music. At the heart of Oswald’s music, I can
hear a deep curiosity about the possibilities of sound.
It stands out that his Album
composition is marked by an intricate layer of sonic elements: ranging from densely
textures to spares, and haunting melodies. This complex interplay -or let’s say
the first of its kind: Mash-up- of sounds creates a dynamic and constantly
shifting sonic landscape. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns.
Nevertheless, there is no traditional harmonic structure, but rather an
exploration of the full potential of sound as a medium for expression. Even
though it can sound like it, I do not think that Oswald’s music is just an
exercise in experimentation for its own sake. There is a deep emotional
resonance that is hearable in the endless human voices that he cut together.
The music is also challenging. One must think about the complexity that Oswald
put into his work to achieve this kind of asymmetric result.
It really stands out that
Oswald was capable to mix any kind of musical idea with any kind of idea that
came to his mind. I mean, never have I ever heard a Nirvana song next to (that
was at least my very conception) Michael Jackson.
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