January 6, 201313 yr Challenge: Kitsch Music, Or Lemons Into Lemonade First take a look at these pieces: Here we have a couple of decent pieces which take source material from from something which appears at first glance to have negligible cultural value. This is by no means a new phenomenon, cf. just to show a couple examples. This challenge is to write a piece incorporating musical byproducts of mass capitalism in interesting ways. Pop songs, commercial jingles, car alarms, internet memes, computer os sound effects, brand mottos (like Intel or NBC 'chimes', etc.), or whatever appeals to you. Genre, style, instrumentation, length, etc. are entirely open, but all entries must include a score and an audio realization of some kind. The score will constitute the entry proper, and the audio will merely be an aid. Merely post your work in this thread before the deadline in order to submit. All submissions must be made before Feb. 15 2013 12:01AM EST Evaluation rubric: -Style -Originality -Choice of source material (a text explanation or a notation in the score may be helpful in pointing them out) -Recontextualization -Compositional technique -'Does it pop?' fudge factor There will be two 'winners'-- one selected by me, and one selected by the forum, where anyone can submit his reviews after the deadline (will post instructions for this after the deadline). Sockpuppet votes will be ruthlessly averaged. Good luck!
January 6, 201313 yr I have some fugues on themes like that (Harry Potter, Zelda, Pokemon). Are they examples of this? Do I have to write a new one, or I can use these 3 as entries?
January 6, 201313 yr Neo baroque arietta on twinkle-twinkle: The bat Not sure if it fits the guidelines, but it is quite kitsch :-)
January 6, 201313 yr Author I have some fugues on themes like that (Harry Potter, Zelda, Pokemon). Are they examples of this? Do I have to write a new one, or I can use these 3 as entries? I guess it's not against the rules as stated. My intention was to get new works, but too late now I guess. Only the last two would be valid, though, because the first one has no score. Had to google "jigglypuff" (sounds like a rap thing or something), so context is always appreciated
January 6, 201313 yr Well, I'll post the score of the Zelda fugue (Fugue of time), but I'm also working on a new thing right now.
January 7, 201313 yr Here's a new entry: http://www.youngcomposers.com/music/3976/woodpecker-fugue/It's upon the main theme of this cartoon:
February 2, 201313 yr Author Don't be discouraged by the excellent entries so far, this contest is still going on! And no, literal quotations are not required. Some more random inspiration: I hate this last one, but still....
February 4, 201313 yr I hate this last one, but still.... Umm, isn't this more a case of turning lemonade into lemons? :sick: Or is that also an option?...
February 4, 201313 yr Author Umm, isn't this more a case of turning lemonade into lemons? :sick: Or is that also an option?... I think his aim was to do the opposite, ironically-- to reduce the significance of its source material. You're quite right, by the way. That piece is unintentional kitsch, and leaves one's opinion of Beethoven unaltered. Anyway, I just wanted to show some examples of musical recontextualization of existing material. Feel free to borrow from the classics, if you're feeling bold.
February 14, 201313 yr This is a cool challenge, but I didn't have time to come up with anything. I did, however, post something along these lines on December 24th, although I would call it taking individual lemons and making a basket [of rotten ones], or something like that: http://www.youngcomposers.com/music/3875/merry-christmas-charlie-ives/ I won't enter it, but if anyone is curious to hear another one of my stupid musical jokes, it's there.
February 18, 201313 yr Author Alright, so my reviews are on the way. In the meantime, I will be accepting reviews from the forum by PM. Please provide a real-valued rank between 0 and 10 for each heading in the rubric, additional comments and notes under each heading are encouraged, but not necessary. I will post results around Friday ish.
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