What did you think of James Falzone's performance?
Rawness, emotion, meditation, improv, prayer, reflection. What did it mean to you? How does it tie to the course?
“...the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” – Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Rawness, emotion, meditation, improvisation, prayer, and reflection are all words that describe this performance. I have never attended a concert quite like the one that James Falzone put on. It’s hard to put into words how the experience made me feel. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed the entire concert. Some of the sounds were uncomfortable and hard for me to listen to. But I don’t feel bad for saying that about his music because he made a point to emphasize that some parts of the piece would be confusing and weren't necessarily meant to be enjoyable. The purpose of the piece was to evoke emotion and to tell a story (which is a little different each time it is performed, due to the nature of improvisational performance).
The long pauses that Falzone used were very effective in capturing my attention. I was always guessing how long the silence would last and what would come after the silence. Falzone definitely lived up to what he said about his piece in his liner notes:
“This is music, yes, but I believe it inhabits a space just beyond music, where sound and silence speak the language of prayer […] when words fail, sound and silence have the potential to become a kind of sigh and that sigh can reach the ear of God.”
Tori, I wish I had been able to attend this concert, it sounds like it was a very unique and interesting experience! I have never really heard of this type of performance style, but it sounds like it was very powerful. Very good description of Falzone's performance, it sounds like you enjoyed most of it and found it meaningful.
Tori, I find your comment on the long pauses very similar to what I experienced in that room. During those moments of silence it allowed me to project my opinions and feelings into the dialogue of the music.
Kristin, the concert was definitely a unique experience and unlike any concert I had been to before. I am curious as to what the other members of the audience thought about it, as I'm sure it had different effects on everyone there. Music is awesome because it can affect everyone in different ways. It's a shame that you missed it, but hopefully there will be another performance soon!
Alex, it's interesting to me that you used the word dialogue. There were a few times throughout the performance that Falzone incorporated words. He read off thoughts that sounded a bit like a poem to me. However, the performance was primary instrumental. So, it is interesting to mention the dialogue of the music. It is very true that even when music does not include lyrics, it brings words to the listener's mind and "says" something, even in the absence of words.
During the performance I found myself struggling to identify with one particular emotion. It was as if he had the ability to draw out every emotion in a very unorganized but systematic way. The construction and sound of the music was visceral which is the way I described it that night in my question. I find it so interesting however that even though he has a quote un quote direction with no real path how well it flows together.
Alex, I completely agree with your by calling the performance unorganized but systematic. The progression of the performance seemed so random at times, and I wondered how the awkward moments would resolve. Also, with it being an improvisational piece, there was no set order or length. However, Falzone knew what message he wanted to get across and knew when he could just let the music take over. He is very experienced in performing in a emotion-evoking way.
I feel like I really missed out by not attending this concert! After reading all of the posts, I feel like it must have been a wonderful and thought provoking experience. This man sounds like he knows what he is doing and is very skilled at it!
Reflection on “Sighs Too Deep for Words”
ReplyDelete“...the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” – Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Rawness, emotion, meditation, improvisation, prayer, and reflection are all words that describe this performance. I have never attended a concert quite like the one that James Falzone put on. It’s hard to put into words how the experience made me feel. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed the entire concert. Some of the sounds were uncomfortable and hard for me to listen to. But I don’t feel bad for saying that about his music because he made a point to emphasize that some parts of the piece would be confusing and weren't necessarily meant to be enjoyable. The purpose of the piece was to evoke emotion and to tell a story (which is a little different each time it is performed, due to the nature of improvisational performance).
The long pauses that Falzone used were very effective in capturing my attention. I was always guessing how long the silence would last and what would come after the silence. Falzone definitely lived up to what he said about his piece in his liner notes:
“This is music, yes, but I believe it inhabits a space just beyond music, where sound and silence speak the language of prayer […] when words fail, sound and silence have the potential to become a kind of sigh and that sigh can reach the ear of God.”
Tori, I wish I had been able to attend this concert, it sounds like it was a very unique and interesting experience! I have never really heard of this type of performance style, but it sounds like it was very powerful. Very good description of Falzone's performance, it sounds like you enjoyed most of it and found it meaningful.
DeleteTori, I find your comment on the long pauses very similar to what I experienced in that room. During those moments of silence it allowed me to project my opinions and feelings into the dialogue of the music.
DeleteKristin, the concert was definitely a unique experience and unlike any concert I had been to before. I am curious as to what the other members of the audience thought about it, as I'm sure it had different effects on everyone there. Music is awesome because it can affect everyone in different ways. It's a shame that you missed it, but hopefully there will be another performance soon!
DeleteAlex, it's interesting to me that you used the word dialogue. There were a few times throughout the performance that Falzone incorporated words. He read off thoughts that sounded a bit like a poem to me. However, the performance was primary instrumental. So, it is interesting to mention the dialogue of the music. It is very true that even when music does not include lyrics, it brings words to the listener's mind and "says" something, even in the absence of words.
DeleteDuring the performance I found myself struggling to identify with one particular emotion. It was as if he had the ability to draw out every emotion in a very unorganized but systematic way. The construction and sound of the music was visceral which is the way I described it that night in my question. I find it so interesting however that even though he has a quote un quote direction with no real path how well it flows together.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I completely agree with your by calling the performance unorganized but systematic. The progression of the performance seemed so random at times, and I wondered how the awkward moments would resolve. Also, with it being an improvisational piece, there was no set order or length. However, Falzone knew what message he wanted to get across and knew when he could just let the music take over. He is very experienced in performing in a emotion-evoking way.
DeleteI feel like I really missed out by not attending this concert! After reading all of the posts, I feel like it must have been a wonderful and thought provoking experience. This man sounds like he knows what he is doing and is very skilled at it!
ReplyDelete