Barrett's Picks

UbuWeb began in 1996 as a site focusing on visual and concrete poetry. With the advent of the graphical web browser, we began scanning old concrete poems, astonished by how fresh they looked backlit by the computer screen. Shortly thereafter, when streaming audio became available, it made sense to extend our scope to sound poetry, and as bandwidth increased we later added MP3s as well as video. Sound poetry opened up a whole new terrain: certain of John Cage’s readings of his mesostic texts could be termed “sound poetry,” hence we included them. As often, though, Cage combined his readings with an orchestral piece; we included those as well. But soon, we found ourselves unable to distinguish the difference between “sound poetry” and “music.” We encountered this dilemma time and again whether it was with the compositions of Maurico Kagel , Joan La Barbara , or Henri Chopin , all of whom are as well-known as composers as they are sound artists. After a while, we gave u...

Composer and musician Brian Eno has a new album out. It's a collaboration with his brother Roger. The title of this track is Spring Frost. Deeper Dive Ambient Genius: The working life of Brian Eno (New Yorker July 7, 2014) Brian Eno discography Interview with Brian and Roger Eno (NPR March 24, 2020)

Basant is a Hindustani classical raga for spring. Here is a performance by the great Ustad Rashid Khan. Deeper dive Voices of India- Hindustani Music Vasant Panchami Saraswati, goddess of spring

The Sonnets to Orpheus are a cycle of 55 sonnets written in 1922 by Rainer Maria Rilke  (1875–1926). He wrote the cycle during a three week period spent in a creative trance. He was inspired to begin writing by the news of the death of Wera Ouckama Knoop, a playmate of his daughter. He dedicated the sonnets to her memory. (Sonnet XXI) Spring has returned. The earth resembles A little girl who has memorized many poems….For all the trouble of her long learning, she wins the prize. Her teacher was strict. We loved the white In the old man’s beard and shaggy eyebrows. Now, whatever we ask about the blue and the green, she knows, she knows! Earth, overjoyed to be out on vacation, play with the children. We long to catch up, jubilant Earth. The happiest will win. What her teacher taught her, the numberless Things, and what lies hidden in stem and in deep difficult root, she sings, she sings! Deeper dive Read all 55 sonnets The Duino Elegies (written at the same ti...

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was a musician, composer and Roman Catholic priest. He wrote a series of four violin concertos called The Four Seasons. The first concerto is Spring. Each concerto has a corresponding sonnet that describes the scenes depicted in the music. Here is the sonnet for Spring: Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more. On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring. Deeper dive “Classical notes: Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons” “Story behind The Four Seasons by Vivaldi ” Listen to all four concertos

“Primavera” (Spring) is a painting by Sandro Botticelli (1445 -1510). On the right side of the painting is Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind, a messenger of spring. He is abducting the nymph Chloris who is also associated with spring. After Zephyrus marries Chloris she becomes the goddess Flora. This is the figure standing next to Chloris. Flora is the goddess of flowers, blossoms and spring. In the center of the painting stands the Roman goddess Venus (Aphrodite in Greek mythology). Venus is the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Above her head floats her son Cupid, the god of attraction and desire. To her left are the Three Graces, sisters who accompany Venus. At the far left of the painting stands Mercury, the messenger of the gods and guide to the underworld. In Roman mythology the month of March was associated with Zephyrus and the month of April with Venus. The month of May is associated with Mercury (his mother’s name was Maia). Deeper dive “Concealed lung anatom...