Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath
The Future of Avantgarde-Music
Blaha, Malte C.
Matrikelnummer 7509502
Listening report –
William Basinski
William Basinski's
"Disintegration Loops" is a musical piece that captures the process
of decay. It is inspired by the events of 9/11 and the collapsing twin towers,
which deepened his fascination with the decay of music. The combination of
fading music and the imagery of the towers collapsing makes time feel
irrelevant, and the pressure in the surroundings is palpable. The music repeats
itself, but it tells a story that has changed through endless variations of
narration. The sound fabricates a message that the listener wants to hear, and
it feels like an eternity hearing it while witnessing a catastrophic event.
As the music continues to
decay, the scratching vinyl sound becomes one with the imagery and fills the
room with a mystical, hidden power. It is thought-provoking and encourages
reflection on mortality and impermanence. The desire to know, how the decay
affects the original song is strong, but one can only hear the broken mood in
the present moment. The music is tragic and reminiscent of a title track for a
war video game. The rhythm changes slowly, and the decay leaves the impression
that it's okay to let go and accept the fate.
The decay of the music creates
new scenes to be heard or seen, composition and change are interrelated. Even
the unintentional change creates a narrative, and the memory of the music at a
certain point is what counts. Ultimately, every living cell, regardless of the
organism, will die. The music may survive time, but only if it is preserved.
For me, “Disintegration Loops" is a poignant reflection on the
impermanence of life and the power of decay in music.
Comments
Post a Comment