Media

Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, No. 8 by Antonín Dvořák

Notes by Benjamin Cher

Dvořák was Czech, but the term “Slavonic” has a much broader reach. The Slavs are the largest ethno-linguistic group in Europe, its members including Russians, Poles, Ukrainians, Serbs, Czechs, Bulgarians, Croats, Slovaks, Macedonians, and others. Conflict between the Slavs and Western Europeans has been a ubiquitous part of the continent’s history, and the distinctiveness of these two groups’ musical heritages is representative of that division. This music is clearly not German (think Beethoven and Brahms) and most definitely not French. The Slavonic Dances were composed early in Dvořák’s career. Inspired by Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, they were initially written for piano four hands but orchestrated upon Dvořák’s publisher’s request.

The music constantly alternates between major and minor key. Can you hear the difference?

The Victors by Louis Elbel arr. Tal Benatar

No description necessary; John Philip Sousa called it "the greatest college fight song ever written."

World of Warcraft by Russel Brower, Derek Duke, & Jason Hayes

Notes by Benjamin Cher

World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment. Music of a different flavor is assigned to each part of the fantasy worlds, allowing players to feel immersed in each world and increasing replay value.