Comments on: "Defying Gravity," Wicked Soundtrack, Stephen Schwartz http://www.thelisteningblog.com/2008/08/defying-gravity-wicked-soundtrack-stephen-schwartz/ “Listen all the time, and remind yourself when you’re not listening, or else the mike and the tape recorder will get the best of you.” – Pauline Oliveros Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Morabito http://www.thelisteningblog.com/2008/08/defying-gravity-wicked-soundtrack-stephen-schwartz/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Mike Morabito Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:42:00 +0000 http://ajtesttest.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/defying-gravity-wicked-soundtrack-stephen-schwartz/#comment-272 I love this piece. <br/><br/>Thanks. I love this piece.

Thanks.

]]> By: Ryan Fleming http://www.thelisteningblog.com/2008/08/defying-gravity-wicked-soundtrack-stephen-schwartz/comment-page-1/#comment-271 Ryan Fleming Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:33:00 +0000 http://ajtesttest.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/defying-gravity-wicked-soundtrack-stephen-schwartz/#comment-271 I do believe that this is one of the best pieces in the entire musical. There are so many details in the piece (both musically and lyrically) that make it so wonderful.<br/><br/>One note that I would like to make is regarding the <i>pizicatto</i> style that Schwartz uses. He uses this light, pulsing style in many of the songs. I really enjoy when this style is employed because it effectively engages the listener into the piece. One can't help but really "feel" the music and want to move with it. This style is very enjoyable for me.<br/><br/>Another thing is the brilliant lyrics in this song. I am not one who really pays much attention to lyrics, but this song broke the mold. The title itself carries so much meaning. There is the defiance from good the Elphaba chooses, the literally defiance of gravity, and the fact that no one will be able to bring her down (because she is defying gravity). All of these ideas are further explored in the song, but it is very cool how they are all wrapped up in the title "Defying Gravity".<br/><br/>One last though I had was with regards to the offbeat bass line. This adds so much to the piece, and as mentioned it is hardly noticeable. I think the reason it is hardly noticeable is due to the very driving snare on beats two and four. This makes the song "feel" unsyncopated, but the large hits with the bass and cymbal (right before the downbeat) add much excitement without throwing off the listener. <br/><br/>All in all I really enjoyed this song as well as the entire soundtrack of the musical <i>Wicked</i>, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys good music. I do believe that this is one of the best pieces in the entire musical. There are so many details in the piece (both musically and lyrically) that make it so wonderful.

One note that I would like to make is regarding the pizicatto style that Schwartz uses. He uses this light, pulsing style in many of the songs. I really enjoy when this style is employed because it effectively engages the listener into the piece. One can’t help but really “feel” the music and want to move with it. This style is very enjoyable for me.

Another thing is the brilliant lyrics in this song. I am not one who really pays much attention to lyrics, but this song broke the mold. The title itself carries so much meaning. There is the defiance from good the Elphaba chooses, the literally defiance of gravity, and the fact that no one will be able to bring her down (because she is defying gravity). All of these ideas are further explored in the song, but it is very cool how they are all wrapped up in the title “Defying Gravity”.

One last though I had was with regards to the offbeat bass line. This adds so much to the piece, and as mentioned it is hardly noticeable. I think the reason it is hardly noticeable is due to the very driving snare on beats two and four. This makes the song “feel” unsyncopated, but the large hits with the bass and cymbal (right before the downbeat) add much excitement without throwing off the listener.

All in all I really enjoyed this song as well as the entire soundtrack of the musical Wicked, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys good music.

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