G minor: The Contrarian
Also known as:
The Moody Teenager.
The Complicated Man
G minors you might know:
Captain Ahab from Moby Dick.
Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye.
Pete Campbell from Mad Men.
The notes: G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F♯ – G.
Number of flats: two.
Relative major: B-flat major.
What they said about G minor in the 18th century:
“Discontent, uneasiness, worry about a failed scheme; bad-tempered gnashing of teeth; in a word: resentment and dislike.” – Christian Schubart, 1784
“It is suited to frenzy, despair, agitation.” – Francesco Galeazzi, 1796
More G minor listening:
Dido’s Lament from Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell.
Der Erlkönig by Franz Schubert.
The Canadian connection:
“Your Rocky Spine” by Great Lake Swimmers.
Note: Historical quotes and translations from A History of Key Characteristics in the 18th and Early 19th Centuries, by Rita Steblin, UMI Research Press (1983).