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Response to Oswald s Plexure Future of American Music

 Future of American Music

Lecturer: Mr. Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath

Student: Ahmad Deyhimi 7167063

10 Hearing Responses for the Hausarbeit

 Response to a piece of work by John Oswald – “Plexure.”

My initial reactions to John Oswald's "Plexure" were confusing as different kinds of music of various genres interrupted one another, similar to a music remix. I find the collage-like structure of the piece to be somewhat disorienting or, better said, chaotic. It is interesting to me how Oswald weaves together fragments of different musical styles and genres to construct something unique, a fascinating and influential work of experimental music. However, I'd like to know whether his experiments were affected or banned due to copyright infringement for using other artists' recordings. Nonetheless, his technique of using pre-existing audio recordings as the basis for new musical compositions is impressive. Although I think of the piece as confusing and chaotic, I enjoy Oswald's use of various techniques to manipulate and re-contextualize existing music sounds, creating a collage-like composition that blurs the boundaries between different musical genres and styles. I also enjoyed how "Plexure" challenges traditional notions of authorship and originality in music by repurposing existing recordings in new and unexpected ways. It surprises many that say it lacks a coherent structure or narrative, but it simultaneously draws many to itself and is an influential piece of experimental music. Overall, I can say that Oswald's "Plexure" is a complex and multifaceted work that can provoke a wide range of reactions from listeners like myself. It is likely to appeal most strongly to those open to exploring new and unconventional forms of music and willing to embrace the experimental spirit that drives Oswald's work. Upon hearing it the first time, although confused, my curiosity about his work grew drastically. Oswald's creation of a unique sonic tapestry that blurs the boundaries between classical, rock, and electronic music evokes my interest so much that I can listen to it simply to get the chaotic feeling
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