Chao-Jan Chang's Illusions: Music Analysis

Unsettling isn’t it? This particular piece is called Illusions, part of a four-movement piece by Chao-Jan Chang called “four moods for solo cello.” Each individual solo is meant to reflect on one of the many moods that humans feel, and the inspiration comes from the composer's own feelings. Even though to listen to is you feel a chill down your spine and your hairs stand on end, you feel the underlying emotions of what the composer had to be feeling when writing this piece. Chao-Jan Chang created unique techniques for playing the cello to accomplish this specialized sound, just to put the listener on edge. You may be wondering how this screeching noise qualifies as music, but most composers would respect the effort and emotion that Chao-Jan Chang puts into this distinctive piece, and would agree that it is, indeed, music. This happens to be the fourth movement of the whole, the other three movements are called “Flying”, “Lament” and “Fury” each representing a different emotion.
It could be different for each person in degree and intensity based on individual experience, but the emotion should be similar for each person. The truth is that music affects our brains in a way that, although predictable depending on what genre it is, can be fascinating on the outcome of our actions. We are programmed on a fundamental level to listen to and react to music. While I may think that the music that was just playing was hideous, you may start dancing to the disharmonious beat. My favorite waltz may not even get your foot tapping, it all depends on preferences and individual