“Lone”
by Pauline Oliveros is an example of minimalistic ambient music from her “Deep
Listening” album. As it can be understood by the name of the album, she was
deeply concerned with the act of listening, experimenting with different
instruments in the unity that involves various dynamics and textures. From the
beginning to the end of the track “Lone,” I felt like I was on a deserted
island, and as the name suggests, I was a loner strolling around on the island
aimlessly. Although the combination of those instruments in a meditative way
would evoke the feelings that may connect us with the outer world or space, the
bloated feeling of loneliness and disconnection was there for me, but in a
soothing manner.
On
the other hand, the senses of vulnerability and intimacy created by the subtle
changes in tone summoned me to get closer to the artist's feelings, which were
transferred to the artwork. Therefore, it can also get quite connective and
remove the listener from their inner thoughts and emotions. Music is a
transformative power that encourages a sense of mindfulness, and Oliveros’s
“Lone” is a marvelous example of that side of music. With its richness in the
persistent tone of the accordion, a meditative ambiance of resonance is created
by the artist and received by the listener. Focusing on the piece for seventeen
minutes helped me expand my consciousness and sensitivity to the sonic
environment, which was the artist's intention. The scene I depicted in my mind
throughout the music involved me having goosebumps accompanied by the
consistent waves of the ocean, a navy blue gloomy sky, and the black sands of
the shore. In short, “Lone” evoked one feeling that could be the sole synthesis
of my experience as the listener, artist’s aim to connect herself to the
listener, and the sonic atmosphere of various musical instruments.
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