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“We have Technology” – Guy From the 1960s

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By Luke Langlois

The tumultuous decade of the 1960s came with turning points in our history, including the Civil Rights movement, Second-wave feminism, the Anti-war movement, and more. No outdated cultural norm was safe in this era. Do you know what else wasn’t safe? Antiquated technology. Here are some of the technological and scientific developments of the 1960s that have stood the test of time.

  1. 1960: Theodore Maiman invented the first rendition of the LASER. The use of the “LASER” has varied over the years. It is currently used to read blue-ray disks, among other things. It has also manifested itself as its own, unique word for science fiction’s brightly colored (usually lethal) beams. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Neat!
  2. 1960: The first minicomputer was put on the market. The Programmable Data Processor, also known as the PDP, contained hardware for one of the first-ever digital games: “Spacewar!” It was known as a minicomputer because the usual “computers” of this time were bulky and aesthetically unappealing. The new appeal that came with the minicomputers made it an excellent product for the market.
  3. 1961: Mission Vostok 1 commenced and sent the first man into space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. I know us Americans of the 60s are not supposed to like the Russians, but we have to appreciate the first man in space. SPACE!!!!
  4. 1961: The IBM Typewriter said, “Hello!” to the planet. In comparison to the older typewriters on the market, IBM’s (International Business Machine’s) new typewriter made typing a LOT quicker. This machine was the benevolent forefather of the device I am using to create this post right now!
  5. 1962: Whether you prefer Coke, Pepsi, or even RC Cola, you know the *pshKSSS CLICK* sound of a soda can’s pop tab. Beverage companies around the world thank Ermal Fraze for inventing the satisfying sound that has become instrumental to marketing efforts. 
  6. 1962: Public radio is absolutely abysmal sometimes, that’s why we have satellite radio (even though that may be falling out style, too. We can thank the first Telstar satellite for letting us communicate through space relays. This Telstar satellite, however, was limited to relaying television pictures, telegraph images, and telephone calls.
  7. 1963: You may be sick right now, but I bet it isn’t measles! On this day in 1963, the measles vaccine was approved by the World Health Organization (the WHO) and released to the public. 
  8. 1964: Imagine you’re someone from the 60s who enjoys horses, muscle cars, and the Ford Motor Company, but cannot find a way to mix these lovely interests. You’re in luck! In 1964, the public was graced with the first model of the Ford Mustang. 
  9. 1964/1965: Although the precise date is unknown, these two years marked the emergence of AstroTurf! If you have ever dealt with trying to maintain grass in the desert, I would be willing to bet that you have considered artificial turf. Thank the 60s!
  10. 1965: How am I supposed to stop a bullet with just my measly human body? In 1965, Stephanie Kwolek synthesized a lightweight steel-like fiber that has been used in bulletproof vests and body armor all over the world: kevlar. 
  11. 1967: Your heart works incredibly hard every single day, and it NEVER stops. Incredible! On this date, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard figured out what to do when the heart no longer works as it should. Naturally, he performed the world’s first heart transplant. 
  12. 1967: Calculus is tough, and it would be even tougher without my trusty Texas Instrument. Although calculators existed before 1967, Texas Instruments released the first calculator that was truly compact and handheld. The “Cal Tech” printed your calculations (limited to the four basic operations) onto a small piece of paper tape. 
  13. 1968: Emergencies are almost always time-sensitive events, and quick responses are crucial to the resolution of said emergencies. In 1967, the FCC met with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) to work on a unified emergency line.  In 1968, AT&T made way for the iconic 911 emergency code. 
  14. 1969: Our parents are right; what would we do without the internet? In 1969, the first steps were taken towards the internet we have today: ARPANET. ARPANET became a tangible reality when UCLA, UCSB, University of Utah, and Stanford University gave birth to a grand network. Look out for James’s post that elaborates on the origins of the world’s greatest communication tool. 

You have just witnessed an all-encompassing list of developments from the 1960s. Congratulations! I think some guy landed on the moon, too. Hopefully, you’ll have some new facts to bring up at the dinner table, especially when Uncle Bob opens up his soda. When I come back to thebirdonfire.org in sixty years, I’ll do an anniversary post. What developments of this decade will integrate themselves as a permanent part of our livelihoods? 

1960s Editor: Quintus Ni

Breakfast at Tiffany’s–A Look at Love in the 1960s

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Quintus takes his turn as Editor in Chief. He assigns us the theme: “Once Upon A Time in the 1960s.” For Quintus, Breakfast at Tiffany’s represents the spirit of the 1960s–the decade of his father’s birth. It was released almost 58 years ago to the day. The movie also is a favorite of Quintus’s because, he says, it aspires to the kind of love his parents live.

~I am lost in a Tiffany Breakfast, forever with Hepburn, lost in dreams and Love~Quintus Ni

Pure beauty can withstand the tempering of the years. The eyes always have brilliance; the posture still has a charm. This kind of beauty, like a bird with brilliant feathers, will not quickly dim.

What is love? Breakfast at Tiffany’s shows us.

The secret of a happy marriage is to give each other the most healthy relationship. There will not be too much restraint. I feel that if Paul and Holly (the chief characters of Breakfast at Tiffany’s) break up one day, it will be no big deal. To be genuinely mature, Holly has to face life alone and live on her own. She has been fostering herself around different men, and she has become a pathological parasite.

Sometimes, we only can find ourselves with the courage and strength of the rebirth in a completely unpredictable situation. It seems that people regain themselves in the state of no love, where they no longer change their mood for the mood of others, are no longer cautious, no longer suffer from the loss. So, I suggest everyone begin to learn to be self-sufficient.

The balance of the mind is to let it go. When Love comes, I love it. If you lose it, you will be brave enough to accept the results and regain your self. 

Everyone does not need the Love of others to prove themselves because Love is not the whole of your life. Living alone also can be perfect!   

Tiffany, Love, and Dreams

A black dress, elegant and dignified hair, an eye-catching pearl necklace, all while eating breakfast and hanging outside the window of TIFFANY’s on Fifth Avenue, sunglasses that cannot block that pair of amazing eyes–Hepburn’s classic style has been imitated and never been surpassed.

This black and white film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, born in 1961, is undoubtedly the most successful advertisement for TIFFANY’s, the world-famous jewelry store established in 1837 in the United States. The producer has put on the charming cloak of love for TIFFANY’s. The TIFFANY’s counter clerk in the movie knows the beautiful couple does not have enough money to buy what they like yet is still polite. He lets them shop, and this gentleman clerk promises their engraving will be done as they wish. Holly is delighted. She says, “This is a perfect place.” I believe most people will want to see this magical place.

Love Needs To Be Fed

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is half a century old. In this half-century, how many great love stories have been staged again and again, compared to the ordinary and poor love of Holly and Paul.

Love is an enormous wealth. Once you have it, you have power, the goal of struggle; life has changed.

Perhaps this is just the first look of love, like a potion that can heal everything, then what’s the next step…?

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is not like a fairy tale where the princess and the prince live together with happiness and kindness. It can be said that this is a myth in our real life, offering a warm coat to people, even those struggling financially. Like the young couple in the “Magi’s Gift,” they love each other and give Christmas gifts they can’t afford or need. Still, the love is clear, only it doesn’t pay the bills. 

Holly, in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is kind and brave, pursuing independence and yearning for freedom, but always she hopes to fulfill herself by marrying a man with status and wealth. A rich woman supported Paul. Both are social flowers surrounded by countless rich people. These two people know each other’s situation totally; they can accept companionship and love, but it is challenging to allow the other to become their ultimate affiliation. Because they see the reality and cruelty of life better than anyone else, money and status tempt them.

A person can be expanded and nourished in love. No matter how beautiful love is, even charming love can not escape the cruelty of reality. From ancient times to the present, vivid love stories are mostly in the form of tragedy; they are more exceptional for their sorrow. But the Love we want is not tragic. It should be a long process from joy to understanding and warmth. At first, it may occur in the darkness and loneliness of our lives; that’s the thing that can ignite a light of hope enough to illuminate the whole person. Then, often, love becomes dispensable; if this happens, it can bring disgust, sneering, and dislike. So, very often, we let it go, for each other, or we despise each other. In the rare case, like with my parents, love holds and stays, and we cuddle each other, spending the rest of our lives together in embrace.

Moon River

One day, Paul was writing at home, and suddenly he heard a sound from downstairs. It turned out that Holly was sitting on the window and singing “Moon River” affectionately and sincerely. At that moment, anyone would be touched by her; she is not a socialized flower with high-heeled shoes surrounded by countless rich guys. She is melancholy, like blue wind chimes, and she can’t help herself, she can’t control her life. Holly always deliberately hides and alienates others. I still feel that Holly has a kind of beauty when she chooses to isolate from the world. Paul, too, is fascinated. He has never seen this aspect of Holly. This isn’t the same Holly he had known before. This singing Holly is affectionate and beautiful. She smiles at him; this smile goes to Paul’s heart. This was a scene he could never forget. They initially thought they could create a world of their own, but hard life destroyed their confidence. They went to the end of the mountain, but they fell. The original dreams have gone so far away; they can’t see the road of ideas and how to go to the next chapter in their lives.

Between dreams and reality, between love and truth, growth and stagnation, there is always luck and misfortune. They are twins. With risk in your life, you may find a person you love; perhaps this love can stand the test of time, if you are fortunate.    

So, what is love~? Have you loved someone before? Have you already fallen love with someone? What is that feeling?

How do you feel about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

Does it capture the spirit of the 1960s?

  Thank you

Wish all best 

1960s Editor: Quintus Ni

Curtains

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Guest Poet, Jay, shares with us a spooky poem.


I hide behind the curtains 

Of my dusty little room

Waiting for the day to come 

When happiness will resume.

As I wander around

Lost

Never found

I find myself 

Going round and round

In circles of pain

Again and again

Alone.

And the only light

In this little box

Is from a tiny lamp

Next to the tiny clock

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

Black.

But every time there’s another storm

And the lightning cracks

And the thunder roars

Boom

Clap

Boom

Clap

Scared.

And every time that fear comes back

It’s not alone

The wood floors crack

Foot

Step

Foot

Step

Scream.

Now it’s done

The fear has gone

The lights are shining

The power is on

But no one will ever know but one

What takes place

When the curtains are drawn.

-Jay

Team Romo

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The Romo’s–a longtime Palm Valley family–have been busy. Christina has been writing poems and song lyrics. We have two to share with you here. Daniel is an intern writing sports articles for the LA Peach Basket. His first article came out last month. We have it linked below.

A connection?

By Christina Romo

Tell me you can’t live without me.
Whisper everything you’re dying to say.
Your words, how they flow, so gently;
I get lost in your eyes by a gaze.
Kiss me, I want to feel your lips.
Hold me, just like this.
Our hands intertwined, you feel like you’re mine
It’s just in my eyes.
The light is on you tonight,
Moonlight, the shadow just covering one eye.
Your smile is so bright, brighter than the moonlight.
The light shines in my eyes and it’s as if I’m feeling it inside.
Do you realize?
It’s just in my eyes.
The room is silent. The only noise is our breathe.
Your head is on my chest, your mind is at rest.
Lying down, I watch you forget.
A clear head with a clear heart, and you chose me.
Maybe it is just in my eyes,
or maybe you might just feel the same thing.

Mind Clutter

By Christina Romo

Wonderful differences
Silence in distractions
One sigh you know what I’m asking.
Life gives us fortunes,
most that come true.
Fortunes of what we should be, what’s to come, and what to do.
You were a fortune that came into my point of view.
I held onto it to see what it could turn to.
I always knew it was you.
An observed perception
no one knows what lies in between
all that’s there is lies and assumptions of what it could be.
Silence falls before us, it’s only you and me.
Heavy breathing, slow dancing, lost in the heavy color of your eyes.
Blank stares, a thousand thoughts rushing
All wanting to speak up at once
too many rushed, nothing said.

* * * * * * *

This from Ms. Romo in the Business Office: “I think I told most of you about Daniel’s internship writing a sports article for LA Peach Basket. Well, here is his first one and he would love for you to see it!
Proud mom”

https://www.lapeachbasket.com/2019/10/1st-nba-power-rankings-2019-20-are.html?m=1

Dreams are not so Far Away

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As we dream of “far-away” places, Quintus walks us through a guided meditation of sorts. He encourages us to forge ahead, be happy, love, and live.

By Quintus Ni

    The scenery far away that we are longing for drives us to keep forging ahead. Flowers coming out along the roads and birds singing in the trees are companions on the journey, as is the beautiful scenery, the bridges across rivers, and range upon range of green mountains. For the longed goal, we shall go despite wind and rain.       

In the peaceful and delightful life, a wisp of fragrance is enough to decorate the time we have. Living in the ethereal environment is like dancing with life happily in a beautiful waltz. The original vivid memories of the past go with us until they fade like withered flowers to get ready to welcome the new journey.

Make an outing on a sunny day and a quiet place to soak up the warm sunshine. Feel the wild breeze blowing over your face, and listen to its sound rustling over the leaves, which awakens the growth of all creatures and makes wishes on a silent bluestone board. May youth last forever;  may life be peaceful and delightful.

Another May comes, with a gentle breeze and warm sunshine. We fly kites in a beautiful season, whisper our secrets to the blue sky and white clouds, and let all troubles of life go, leaving only the pure soul.

As time goes by, we feel trouble in life. Why not let your troubles go for a while, and look at the colorful flowers, the ripples of rivers, green fields, and wild rhododendron, or read a book, or appreciate a painting that can touch the soul. Life should be hopeful. And that’s how the life of humankind becomes meaningful.

Look–those weak grasses get flattened whenever the wind blows, but re-erect again and keep growing after the wind. It tells us the truth: the difficulty is always temporary, and goodness is always the main theme of life.

In the world of mortals, affection gives us a warm embrace, love gives us a touching mode, friendship gives us a solid dependence…. All these relationships are related to the quality of our lives. Smart people are good at handling and enjoying these relationships, thereby making their lives beautiful. When people grow no longer satisfied with material needs, it indicates the qualitative leap of life and that the real meaning of humanity is approaching.

People move forward slowly as time goes by. When the first sunshine of the morning shines on the window sill, the life of another day begins. We all live according to our own rhythm. We need to create life, set a new goal, and liberate ourselves from laziness and boredom. We should stop complaining about life, stop wasting time, instead, we must fulfill our lives and create a poetic future.

Life is too short, so why don’t we enrich our lives with more joyful laughter and more poetic romance. As long as we feel life wholeheartedly, we will see a brand new life in front of us, just as bold and generous as said by Li Bai in his poem: “leaving home chortle, with head tilted backward; how could people like me [be] ordinary?”

With a pen, I write my stories and enjoy the ups and downs of life. In the corner of the soul, I light up a candle to illuminate my way ahead. And this bright candle in life is the enlightenment of reading.

Quietly, I put a fragrant flower on the window sill, letting it be moisturized by the sun and dew. The fragrance of the flower finally dispels the haze in my heart; the rain washes away my sorrow, and the sun warms my soul. If we pay a little more attention to life, we will see and feel numerous warm moments around us, indicating the beauty of life.

I always believe that one who has splendid experience must live a marvelous life. In a lifetime, owning a relaxed attitude is vital to a happy life. Health and attitude could possibly be hard to reach no matter how much money we have. And as a matter of fact, life does not require too much. To live, a healthy spirit and happy mood are enough, as long as we live with an enriched inner world.

In the whole life of a man, he doesn’t have to be rich and glorious. Simple life could be deemed as a kind of success. Life is so precious, don’t waste time on unnecessary pursuits; instead, we could read books quietly, watch movies happily, have dinner with family, chat with lovers on a campus with beautiful cherry blossoms. These are all simple but sweet things in life. As long as we face life faithfully, we can enjoy happiness.

Life is a journey on which we could experience different scenery: the green mountains, the clean water, the bridges across the rivers, the blossoms, and ever-changing clouds. The world in front of us is of abundant scenery, waiting for us to discover, to appreciate, and to experience. Let’s get started; take the road to a happy journey, heading straight to the place faraway.

Far-Away Editor: Doreen Yuan

Tarta de Galletas y Chocolate

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By Renée 

When Editor Doreen said, WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING FAR AWAY, Renée responded with a favorite recipe that reminds her, fondly, of familiar but far-away places.

This is a Mexican recipe that blends two parts of my culture that I have grown up with: Spanish and Mexican. A good way to describe it is mestizo. It includes flavors that were popular in Mexico (e.g. chocolate) along with the notoriously Mexican absence of baking.

Ingredients:

  •  2 packets of biscuits (400 g), regular vanilla or butter biscuits are fine as long as they are rectangular 
  • For the Crema de Chocolate:
    • 200 milliliters of heavy whipping cream 
    • 250 grams of chocolate 
    • 1 tbsp of butter 
  • For the Natilla: 
    • 5 eggs 
    • 4 tbsp sugar 
    • 1 tsp vanilla (paste) 
    • 1 stick of cinnamon 
    • 1 liter of milk
    • 2 tbsp of cornstarch

Procedure for the Natilla: 

  1. Heat the milk with the cinnamon stick until it boils (you can add lemon peel for flavor). Remove from heat and allow to cool until room temperature, and remove the cinnamon stick.
  2. Separate the yolks from the whites, and beat the yolks with the sugar. Add the cornstarch to the egg mixture, and mix well. 
  3. Add the egg mixture to the milk. Add in the vanilla, and reheat on medium intensity. Mix continuously until it reaches a boil, then immediately remove from burner. Allow to cool to room temperature. 

Procedure for the Crema de Chocolate: 

  • Melt broken up chocolate bar with a tablespoon of butter in a bain-marie. Mix with the warm nata. 

You can melt the chocolate in the microwave, but the traditional method is in the bain-marie. A bain-marie is a warm water bath, where you put the pot in which you are cooking inside a larger pot filled with water.

Building the Tarta: 

  1. Lay the first layer of cookies in a medium-sized ceramic pan, similar to the type used for a bain-marie.
  2. Spread a layer of chocolate on the cookies, then a slightly thicker layer of the natilla, and repeat until done with ingredients. Finish on a layer of chocolate.
  3. Keep in the fridge for at least two hours.
  4. Cut and serve as rectangular bars.

Far-Away Editor: Doreen Yuan

Far Away Under the Sea–20,000 Leagues to be Precise

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By Critic-of-Far-Away-Things James Zheng

When Editor Doreen ordered the Blog Staff to WRITE ABOUT FAR-AWAY THINGS, James responded with a book he read long ago that took place far, far away . . . .

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is the most profound book I have read. I still remember the time I was studying in middle school that we were required to read tons of literary works, and I was completely not interested in reading. One day, we were told to grab a book in the school library. I randomly grabbed this blue-covered book and flicked through the pages. Then I looked at the title. It caught my interest and made me read this science-fiction novel. I still can’t believe that I finished this 1,000-page book for an extra-curriculum reading assignment.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Vingt mille lieues sous les mers) was published serially in 1869-1870. It was written by French writer Jules Verne and belongs to the second series of the Verne Trilogy (the other two are In Search of the Castaways and Mysterious Island).

From my perspective, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is one of Verne’s best works. Verne’s rich imaginative and meticulously delicate writing characteristics have made it into a masterpiece. Jules Verne creates a thrilling underwater adventure. His protagonists travel through ocean regions. During the process, whether it’s frustration or joy they experience, they learn about nature and humanity. The elements in the novel are strange; the language mainly focuses on vividly depicting an underwater world full of mystery. The description of everything is detailed and interesting, both artistic and scientific language make the image appear in front of you. Verne writes confidently of human beings recognizing and conquering the ocean, and shows the tenacity and courage of human will. The overall story includes technical knowledge of the underwater world associated with biology, geography, etc. 

Let’s take a look at the reviews given by other bloggers. (Note: This is translated from the original Chinese.)

  • “I was amazed at the author’s comprehensive and extraordinary knowledge and understanding about everything of the ocean. In many places, things, customs and culture can be counted as a treasure. In reading this book, we feel like we are back in the 1800s and actually have an image of everything that belongs to that era. . . . . I saw a little bit of the historical background [of] that time and [was] astonished by the extensiveness of the author’s thoughts. To create a series of interlinked, closely related and non-existent things . . . requires a strong imagination and knowledge . . . . I saw the sadness of the protagonist . . . . He holds his own hatred towards the world and isolates himself from society.”–Blogger Siwangqishidetongchu. https://www.zhihu.com/question/285823396/answer/498167494 

I truly feel the loneliness of actually going under the sea for twenty-thousand miles. Maybe sometimes we choose to isolate ourselves from human civilization and try to be more in tune with the natural world. I cannot think of more reasons to recommend this book but for its undiscovered “depth.” 

  Far Away Editor: Doreen Yuan

Musical Art

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By Katelin Mei

There are many kinds of art. One kind of art is music. Since I have been playing the violin for a very long time, I have become very familiar with this art. I have been playing violin in the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony for three years. Here are some of the benefits I have discovered of learning how to play an instrument, and joining an orchestra where many different instruments work together to create a beautiful piece of musical art.


Some ways it has positively affected my life are by encouraging me to try my best and giving me something to be proud of. I always try my best to be very dedicated to improving my skills on the violin. When I practice a violin piece or skill for a while and finally feel like I have learnt it, I feel very proud of myself for being able to achieve something I have worked for. 

Playing in an orchestra has helped me work with many different people who all have different parts to play and still create and work on the same music piece. It has helped me know how all our different parts work together to create a piece of music. We all have to work together and play our separate parts to create music that we can be proud of. I feel proud when we have worked on a piece for a while, and the end product is amazing. I feel proud because I know that I helped work on my part and we created something amazing with all of our parts working together.

Art Editor: Chelsea

Frankenstein in Pasadena: The Modern “Modern” Prometheus

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Leo Milmet, along with the PVS junior and senior classes, traveled to Pasadena’s A Noise Within Theatre last month to view the theatre group’s production of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley’s thriller is a staple of English literature. The AP Lit class had just finished reading the book over the summer. Leo, an avid fan of theatre and cinema, submitted this review of the production. His theatrical review is a timely fit, as this week blog celebrates art.

PRODUCTION GRADE: B-


By Guest Writer Leo Milmet

A Noise Within’s production of Frankenstein by Nick Dear was as interesting as it was imperfect. What do I mean by that? The first few moments with the Creature, crawling like a babe, not knowing who or what he is or why he’s been created, are perhaps the best moments in the show. Michael Manuel, the actor playing the Creature shrivels, shudders, shouts, grunts, and mesmerizes his way into the audience’s heads and hearts. He’s fascinating, and the show is worth the price of admission for him alone.  He makes us feel so much sympathy for a character who has been totally dehumanized by his portrayal in popular culture. 

Next to enter the stage, of course, is Victor Frankenstein himself. Now, the actor playing Victor is somewhat of an enigma to me. My main question is, “How could a director good enough to direct Manuel’s performance also be bad enough to direct this one?” Seriously. This actor gives a performance whose over-the-topness would be surprising in a high-school play, let alone a professional one. He plays Frankenstein like we are meant to laugh at his terrible portrayal. I haven’t seen him in anything else, but his portrayal of Victor Frankenstein may be the greatest work of comedy he’s ever done. He bands together with a few truly awful members of a mostly-decent ensemble to ALMOST offset all of the goodwill we’ve gotten from Manuel. What is this actor’s name? Kasey Mahaffy. I understand that it is very hard to recite the line “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!” like it’s well-written, but it can be done so much better. 

Mercifully, the first 30 minutes or so involve very few moments of Mahaffy’s ridiculous performance. Rather, we first see life through the eyes of the first and only member of a species, and it’s heartbreaking. He’s treated about as well as we would treat a rattlesnake on our kitchen table, and it’s sad. The mirror it holds up to society is interesting, and someone was onto something wonderful when he or she decided to populate the stage with mirrors.

As the show continues, it becomes more and more eventful, and the story is fascinating all along; its tone is always of dread; the intent is never to frighten but to create empathy for pretty much everyone, which is very smart because I, for one, find it easy to pity such a lost soul as the Creature. And, if it weren’t for Mahaffy, the play would have succeeded in creating empathy for the major characters, despite some shortcomings in the ensemble department. 

The ensemble is okay at best; the dialogue could use a brush-up; Kasey Mahaffy as Victor Frankenstein is utterly ridiculous. Still, the story’s technical design and especially the brilliantly-characterized performance of Michael Manuel caused me to have a great time watching the play–despite its shortcomings.

*The views of guest writer Milmet are uniquely his own and do not represent the opinions and views of thebirdonfire.org.

Art Editor: Chelsea 

Lyrics? Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Lyrics

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By Luke Langlois

Ah yes, classical music. Who doesn’t love a little elegance every once in a while?  No, not the 80s or the 90s, those classics. I’m talking about the music you are graced with when walking into the house of a cultured enthusiast or an eccentric billionaire. History has remembered the names of the larger-than-life composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms, and more. But, unless you are well-versed in classical music or an orchestral instrument, do you know the names of these composers’ works? Before doing my research, I can say with absolute certainty that I had no idea which piece went “bumbumbumbumbumbumbum da da da da.” So, here are the uber-famous classics that you probably don’t know the name of. If you know all of these, go ahead and flex your genius in the comments. 

1 –  “Für Elise” by Ludwig Van Beethoven: “Für Elise,” also known as “Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor,” has the most iconic opening piano rift out of ALL of the piano riffs. Is piano rift too uncultured? Fine. The composition is an elegant piano solo. Anyway, saying that it is the most iconic of all time may be a broad and uncited generalization, but trust me; you will recognize it almost instantly.

2 – “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Officially known as “Serenade No. 13 for strings in G Major,” this composition begins with another immediately recognizable riff. This time, though, it’s violins!

3 – “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” by Bach: Although this is one of the most eye-catching titles in HISTORY (not),  “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” is liable to catch your ears with a sense of dread. This piece has been used in horror pop culture for decades. Listen in to enter a creaky old mansion full of monsters and ghoulies. 

4 – “Minuetto” by Luigi Boccherini: So, you’ve accidentally stumbled upon a row of mansions in the gold-laced streets of Italy. When you ring that diamond-encrusted doorbell, this composition is what you hear as the butler comes to answer.

5 – “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi: This piece, actually a compilation of season-representing violin concertos by Vivaldi, is another composition that has consistently been associated with elegance and the finer things of life. The most famous portion of this composition comes from the opening of “Spring Allegro.” 

6 – “Peer Gynt – Morning Mood” by Edvard Grieg: This piece is likely in your mind as the “happy morning wake up” theme where the birds are chirping, the sun is shining conveniently through the window, and the recently awakened person is stretching photogenically. Bob Ross and Mr. Rogers probably woke up to this every morning.

7 – “Canon in D” by Pachelbel: This piece is so wedding that people probably do not enjoy playing it at weddings. I haven’t been at a wedding in over a decade, so I wouldn’t know. 

8 – The “Final” of the Overture to William Tell by Rossini: The “Final” from this Overture is the well-known “horse-race” song. The best way to describe this song with text is certainly “Dundundundundundundundun dun dun DUN dundudun.”

9 – “Also sprach Zarathrustra” by Richard Strauss: Imagine you’re Neil Armstrong and you are taking a cinematic walk on the moon to plant the flag of the United States. There is a 78.9% chance that Strauss’s opening melody is being played in your ears. This symphonic poem has more to it than its introduction, so continue listening (if you have the time).  

10 – “Gymnopédie no. 1” by Erik Satie: This soft composition may instill sadness, peace, relaxation, or a conglomeration of all three of these feelings. You may also be irresistibly pressed to pronounce the title of this work. It’s tough.

That’s all for now, folks. I hope you leave this post knowing at least one more classical title. I, personally, have learned to never judge a classical piece by its name. I’m starting to believe that the less you understand out of a title, the better. Obviously, this list is not all-encompassing. Dig deeper; you know more classical tunes than you think you know. Finally, listen to these works past just their minute-long introductions. Many of the universally recognizable portions are just brief moments of a tone poem that lasts for an hour. Become a classical music enthusiast and rid yourself of any lyrical corruption. This is where I would put an Italian farewell to up my culture levels, but I don’t know much Italian. 

 Art Editor: Chelsea Xu