Loren's Pick: Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 9, Ludwig van Beethoven

There are things we tell ourselves that we will do within our life time: learn Spanish fluently, visit all the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, learn to tap dance, tie over 10 knots, mediate daily, and the list goes on. Somewhere during the days I spent laying on the bench during practice for the Marlboro Music Festival, I added "understand the roots of classical music" to the list. Inspired by a piece by pianist Piotr Anderszewski; I am now embarking on that journey. Classical music 101 - here I come. My first lesson was to listen to this piece. I still don't know why this "this piece", but I do know it brings me great joy to hear this string section. I have so many questions, like what orchestra to listen to, how does a piece change depending on the note it is played in, how to even by an album, who will my favorite composer be....

Christina's pick: "I am Stretched on Your Grave" by Sinéad O'Connor

When I chose this one, I was deep in the post two-weekends of celebrating St. Patty's Day cold/cough/ general dopamine lack.

Sinéad needs no introduction. She is a force to be reckoned with. I think a lot of people remember her only for her poppy "Nothing Compares 2 U" (which is great in its own right) and that Pope-burning thing on SNL (also tremendous in its own right) and not for some more of her politically charged, feminist songs. Her lyrics cut deep. Here she is layering a translation of "Táim sínte ar do thuama," or "I am stretched on your grave," an anonymously written poem from 17th century Ireland on top of that funky beat.

I can't post about Sinead without going slightly off the rails. Below "I Am Stretched on Your Grave," watch this live version of "Black Boys on Mopeds" and "Troy" from some music fest in the 80s. Few female artists successfully express anger, in its both tender and powerful sides. Maybe because women are discouraged to do so their entire lives. Fuck yeah Sinéad for ignoring that entirely.