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David Rakowski - 100 Humorous Etudes and Preludes


In 2020 David Rakowski finished his 100 preludes for piano, matching his set of 100 etudes finished in 2010. Before we dive into these sizable pools of music let’s first explore Mr. Rakowski the person. His bio on his own blog reads, “David Rakowski blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah blah. Blah. Blah, blah blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah his wife Beth Wiemann, and a red canoe.” Clearly this composer is going against conventions, poking fun at traditions. In addition to regular posts about life, music, and composition Rakowski includes peripheral pages that highlight a wry humor, a mind that is ever at work with puns, wordplays, and comedic ideas. One page “ridiculizes” serious movie lines by reforming them into passive voice. Another lists punch lines in search of jokes and another details surefire conversation stoppers (which can be used to end drawn out conversations when you need to get back to practicing). 


Rakowski’s 100 preludes and 100 etudes are similarly fresh and humorous. They draw from popular music, jazz, modern technology, and culture in an eclectic manner. Some etudes explore traditional technical problems in new ways - thirds, sixths, octaves, chromatics, etc. Many create original and humorous techniques such as using only the index fingers (as in “Touch Typing”) or playing a beautiful melody with one’s nose (as in “Schnozzage”). Often the humor appears not in the music but in the directions or title. As described in the Etude liner notes, “Schnozzage” “calls for the middle part to be played with the nose. The middle part may be played instead by a second person contributing a third hand, or by an extremely well-trained pet.” Descriptive and witty titles include “You dirty rag”, “Narcissitude”, “Not”, “Absofunkinlutely”, and “Bop it”. Each set of 10 preludes follows a particular theme such as Italian names of insects, yoga poses, gibberish, or spices. 

              




So why talk about the aspect of humor in music? What makes Rakowski’s wit powerful beyond the scope of mere entertainment? In this class and elsewhere we have and will continue to discuss modern music as a reaction to social and cultural events and ideas. These musical reactions are important - they help us grapple with and understand the issues and problems we have in our society. They heighten awareness and bring enlightenment to those who are oblivious to the problems and, hopefully, offer empathy for those who struggle with them every day. However, I would also submit that humor can provide a welcome respite in a world that often feels like it is full of hate, criticism, disaster, and pandemics. It is, in itself, also a reaction or rebellion against upheaval and distress - a choice to remain happy amid the confusion and a refusal to be dismayed by unfairness.

-Hyrum Arnesen

Comments

  1. CCM Students SP2022February 27, 2022 at 8:33 PM

    Hi Hyrum,

    Wow! This is the most humorous music blog post I ever read. For some reason the humorous nature of the Rakowski's works reminds me of Satie. And it's interesting that the composer tried to convey his ideas and feelings around him (hatred, criticism, etc.) within the humorous pieces.

    -Lydia Lee

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  2. UnknownMarch 9, 2022 at 7:40 AM

    I love these etudes! Humor is something so important in life, and especially useful to use in advanced music. There are more "fun" etudes when we're learning our instruments as children, but as we grow in life and as musicians everything becomes serious. Humor would be a huge motivator in learning these etudes, and help to keep the interest since they are so challenging as well.
    - Laura Ruple

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  3. UnknownApril 14, 2022 at 9:40 AM

    This is great! I agree with Laura, the humorous aspect of these etudes is so refreshing when you consider how music is so "serious" so much of the time. I also agree with the notion of humor being used to counteract distress and despair. It's important to find a way to keep yourself going during hard times.

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  4. UnknownApril 15, 2022 at 9:42 AM

    Hi Hyrum!

    I really enjoyed your discussion of humor in music! I think we as musicians take humor as "not serious" too often. Humor is an important aspect of life and emotion and can inspire very successful works. I enjoy that we get a sense of the composer's sense of humor right away from his bio.
    -Bryce Newcomer

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  5. UnknownApril 20, 2022 at 9:15 PM

    Hi Hyrum! I enjoyed your blog. I think that music has one of the duties of the music to relieve stress and give joy to people. Also, the composer will be able to provide new music to the audience that includes fresh and humorous elements in the music. Thanks for your blog and music.
    - Haksung Lee

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  6. Catharine BaekApril 22, 2022 at 5:40 PM

    It is so refreshing to see a composer not taking himself so seriously! This element in music can be emulated many times but to really embody humor takes a special character. It’s almost absurd but I think it’s so creative and fun in this context. Love Schnozzage haha amazing name.

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