For this project, I explored the symbols of western music notation. I changed and distorted the symbols to emphasize the different elements of the composition, both visually and auditory. The piece I analyzed was Haydn’s Symphony No. 94, more commonly know as the Surprise Symphony. When I change the various elements of the layered composition, the composition become less readable and more expressive. The idea is to be able to understand parts of the music without necessarily being able to read the notes. This project is kind of my fight to be understood. In my master’s program, in my year, I was the only one to be born in the United States. Every one of the seven of us were very musical, however, I was the only one who could read Western sheet notation. So this piece is a way to communicate to people who do not read Western sheet notation to still somewhat be able to visualize how the music sounds.
