This is really good, really interesting. Initially I wasn't sure about the presentation--about having the two of them talking at once. I guess I'm still not, but that's what tells me this is good art. It stays with you. It gives you problems to solve and you find yourself coming back to it later.
It captures the imagination to think their courtship took place in silence. And when they finally talk? He's got a Southern accent and she sounds Canadian. That's amusing.
Who gets the last word here? She does, which we might expect. But, what does she say? Ironically, it's, "...just shut up."
I enjoyed this piece because it had the two necessary parts of a good story, according to Ira Glass: 1. Story moves along in an interesting way, 2. Self reflection. The overlap between the two speakers is interesting to listen to; however, I would have liked to hear more structure to their story.
I liked the discussion of silence, especially because it was presented through a medium that relies entirely on sound. People who are drawn to radio are typically audio-focused. I like how I can listen to something that transports me outside of myself, experiencing and, in part, creating it within my mind. Visual entertainment does not feel that personal. It's this highly personal, auditory medium that mirrors the absence of sound, paradoxically. As I am able to lose myself within radio, silencing my thoughts and voice, he loses that part of himself in silence. It's a piece that makes you think about the nature of speech and noise, and is refreshing to hear.
A fascinating experiment in sound that I can see wowing audiences at audio festivals. But more food for the perennial debate ? ?Yes, but is it good radio??
And the only answer I can give is ?I don?t know ? have a listen and judge for yourself.?
I was fascinated by the story of a romance developing in silence ? so fascinated that I found myself getting frustrated that I was missing parts of it because of the distraction of the overlapping sound fragments, so I went back for a re-listen. You don?t get a second chance on radio but if you?re listening over the Net, no problem.
I loved the texture of the piece, the quiet voices talking about their love of silence, their learning to love in silence, and her later rebellion against it. But basically I?m in love with plot ? I want the story and my ears were forever trying to run in opposite directions ? I wanted to hear that bit about Bob who still lives in silence but this stuff about chalk kept interrupting ? why chalk boards? Do I have to hear about chalk? It turns out it is important to the story, but I only got that on the second listen.
This programme is like the Italo Calvino novel ?Once Upon a Winter?s night a Traveller?? a series of compelling stories each one building up the tension and when you?re hooked, abruptly stop and move onto the next story.
Editors will have to make their own choices on this one, choices that will be shaped by their radio philosophies ? the braver, more artistically inclined, experimental ones will love it, the commercial ones won?t.
Comments for Silence
This piece belongs to the series "Speech Acts"
Produced by Joan Schuman
Other pieces by Joan Schuman
Rating Summary
3 comments
T. G. LaFredo
Posted on June 13, 2008 at 06:26 AM | Permalink
Review of Silence
This is really good, really interesting. Initially I wasn't sure about the presentation--about having the two of them talking at once. I guess I'm still not, but that's what tells me this is good art. It stays with you. It gives you problems to solve and you find yourself coming back to it later.
It captures the imagination to think their courtship took place in silence. And when they finally talk? He's got a Southern accent and she sounds Canadian. That's amusing.
Who gets the last word here? She does, which we might expect. But, what does she say? Ironically, it's, "...just shut up."
Nice.
Mary P
Posted on November 10, 2006 at 06:36 PM | Permalink
Review of Silence
I enjoyed this piece because it had the two necessary parts of a good story, according to Ira Glass: 1. Story moves along in an interesting way, 2. Self reflection. The overlap between the two speakers is interesting to listen to; however, I would have liked to hear more structure to their story.
I liked the discussion of silence, especially because it was presented through a medium that relies entirely on sound. People who are drawn to radio are typically audio-focused. I like how I can listen to something that transports me outside of myself, experiencing and, in part, creating it within my mind. Visual entertainment does not feel that personal. It's this highly personal, auditory medium that mirrors the absence of sound, paradoxically. As I am able to lose myself within radio, silencing my thoughts and voice, he loses that part of himself in silence. It's a piece that makes you think about the nature of speech and noise, and is refreshing to hear.
Dheera Sujan
Posted on August 07, 2006 at 05:31 AM | Permalink
Review of Silence
A fascinating experiment in sound that I can see wowing audiences at audio festivals. But more food for the perennial debate ? ?Yes, but is it good radio??
And the only answer I can give is ?I don?t know ? have a listen and judge for yourself.?
I was fascinated by the story of a romance developing in silence ? so fascinated that I found myself getting frustrated that I was missing parts of it because of the distraction of the overlapping sound fragments, so I went back for a re-listen. You don?t get a second chance on radio but if you?re listening over the Net, no problem.
I loved the texture of the piece, the quiet voices talking about their love of silence, their learning to love in silence, and her later rebellion against it. But basically I?m in love with plot ? I want the story and my ears were forever trying to run in opposite directions ? I wanted to hear that bit about Bob who still lives in silence but this stuff about chalk kept interrupting ? why chalk boards? Do I have to hear about chalk? It turns out it is important to the story, but I only got that on the second listen.
This programme is like the Italo Calvino novel ?Once Upon a Winter?s night a Traveller?? a series of compelling stories each one building up the tension and when you?re hooked, abruptly stop and move onto the next story.
Editors will have to make their own choices on this one, choices that will be shaped by their radio philosophies ? the braver, more artistically inclined, experimental ones will love it, the commercial ones won?t.