Baroque Listening Cards

Name of Piece: 

Monteverdi - L'Orfeo – Savall 

Listening Card: 

Why I chose this card: 

The insight card got chosen as it highly relates to the composition by Monteverdi. With a key reference to Greek Mythology, the L'Orfeo – Savall elicits an undeniable understanding of history through musical nodes and strings. Although performed in modern day society, the music gives a compelling insight into Greek history and an impactful meaning to death and life. Likewise, the combined effects and strategy applied in the performance adds to the importance of the piece. There is a great entrance created by the composer with an alluring stage wise performance by a lady on stage. Significantly, concerning the Orpheus as one of the essential legends, the composition creates a clear meaning to life. 

Name of Piece: 

Jessye Norman - A Portrait - When I Am Laid In Earth (Purcel) 

Listening Card: 

Why I chose this card: 

In a significant way, as Jessye Norman performs, there is the heightened allusion to the emotional and personal feelings of persons. The overall meaning and impact hence make the card chosen relevant to the performance. Through the composition with the repetition of the words "remember me," she creates an emotional feeling as one listens. The tone also in a significant way shows the sensitive nature of the fear of not wishing to be forgotten. There is an explicit depiction of the pleading and the need for one’s fate not to get forgotten. In another sense, impacts death and loss has in people’s lives. Hence, the performance creates as well as evokes an emotional meaning making it relevant to the imagery card.