Anachronism

Gustav Hoyer, Composer

5.0 (5)
Music Commentary
Updated Monthly

Music and contemplations from composer Gustav Hoyer. I share guided listening encounters to connect more deeply with my listeners. I help you hear the many layers of affect and technique that comprise my work. gustavhoyer.substack.com

12/24/2025

An Ugly Christmas Sweater

Intro: It's Christmas morning, the presents all unwrapped The paper's spread across the floor, the bank account is tapped The little ones have disappeared to bedrooms full of play A Christmas Story's on TV, the 15th time today But Daddy's waited patiently, the real fun begins The gravy's cooking on the stove next to the muffin tins I'm gonna grab my plate, and get into the line I started early with a healthy glass of wine I'll walk up to the counter and start with something green Nevermind it's Jell-o from a big tureen Chorus: I'm puttin' a hurt on Christmas dinner Between that roast and me, I think I'll be the winner I've been in training every meal, since last spring And now the time has come again to get back in the ring. From there I'll take some olives, a carrot stick or two, Some whole wheat biscuits and a pat of butter too. Up next, I'll grab the spoon then serve myself a plop of sweet potatoes, corn flakes toasted on the top Chorus And now we're comin' to the prize, a steaming hot prime rib I made a bed to put it in, a mashed potato crib A liberal pour of gravy cross it's salty rind No worries that it ends up on my fat behind Chorus We're runnin' out of onions, and the macaroni's gone The countertop is empty by the coffee pot is on The final round is startin' with three delicious pies. I guess I'll take a piece of each, don't wanna make my momma cry. Chorus Dessert is gone, and all the plates are clean, But poor Aunt Clara drank too much and made a scene. And if, by chance, someone should need to come and search for me. You'll find me lying comatose, beneath the Christmas tree. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

5 min
10/24/2025

The structure of Terra

I recorded this video when my work Terra, the Bringer of Life was first released as a recording in April 2021. In it, I share a glimpse into the piece, how it is constructed, and why it is so constructed. I wanted to share this with all subscribers as I launch a new monthly video series to give you a taste of the type of technical discussions I will have for each episode. In my subscriber-only series, I will not only share technical insights into my catalog of recordings, but will share the recordings and the artistic inspirations that structure them. These episode, what I call Musical Encounters, engage right- and left-brain aspects of the musical experience. By slowing down from a torrent of digital distraction, and engaging musical with purpose and respect, these video encounters make space, like a good conversation, for you to engage your self in the process. I will be doing an episode for Terra that will not only talk about some of the technical aspects you see me share here, but also a broader spectrum of conversation that features the whole work in its best recorded form. I hope you enjoy this preview, and that you consider subscribing to support my work. It helps me pay the bills and keep new music coming. If you enjoy this work, please help me share it with others. I am charting a course away from the exploitation of artists embodied in the Streaming economy and as an artisan of musical works, am looking to find that smaller more connected community of patrons who value my work. I am grateful for you and your support. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

12 min
10/10/2025

Curated Listening ~ Before the Chill of Winter

In this episode, I share my composition Before the Chill of Winter. We listen through the piece, and then I share some thoughts, musical insights, and a poem that help enrich the experience of hearing the piece. If you’d like to access the recording of the piece elsewhere, here are links to the audio recording on different platforms: Apple Music: Spotify YouTube Here is a link to the poem I read- from The Princess: Tears, Idle Tears If you enjoy this series, please consider recommending to a friend. Your subscription and your advocacy will help me grow this community and create new musical experiences. Thanks for joining me! I welcome your feedback for the community. You can comment or share in the chat This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

22 min
10/09/2025

An Official Invitation

I am really pleased to share the culmination of months of planning with you. As I have mentioned in some of my prior posts, the question of meaningful connection in our commoditized, digital world has been consuming my thinking. I have been working on a few fronts to blaze a new trail, one that doesn’t lie suffocating underneath an ocean of streaming exploration nor in the world of 8-second transience. I believe that our modern communication technologies have isolated us from each other and have eroded the historic ways that we would share life with one in another. I know I am not alone in that conviction. I can’t undo what is, but I can explore a different path with my friends in the hopes that, although I can’t be with you in person to share music, I can create a digital experience that promotes attention, care, and connection. This video explains my new offering here on substack, that is available to paid subscribers. Each month I will release a new video designed to create shared connection with you and with my music. Please join me! N.B. Thanks to those of you who helped with my ‘Beta Test’. That will be an additional, heightened way for you to create in-person events that expand on what I will share in these episodes. I will have more details about how to access those in the months ahead. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

7 min
09/18/2025

Active Listening Part III

We are constantly surrounded by music and it can be difficult to slow down and give our full attention to it. In this three-part series, I walk through some thoughts about how to listen This final episode of our series on active listening. We build on our introduction to some of the elements of music and take a look at the larger structures that create longer pieces. We listen to some of the fundamental building blocks of my piece, Inspiration, and hear how they work together to tell a story over the course of 5 minutes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

14 min
09/18/2025

Active Listening Part II

We are constantly surrounded by music and it can be difficult to slow down and give our full attention to it. In this three-part series, I walk through some thoughts about how to listen In this second of our three-part series, we dive into the elements of classical music, melody, harmony, meter. We listen to section from Inspiration and hear fragments that help peel back the surface and hear the component parts from which music is constructed This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

13 min
09/18/2025

Active Listening Part I

We are constantly surrounded by music and it can be difficult to slow down and give our full attention to it. In this three-part series, I walk through some thoughts about how to listen In this episode, I begin with some thoughts about 'cleansing the palette' and then connecting with the players and context in which the music was made. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gustavhoyer.substack.com/subscribe

11 min

7 Episodes

out of 5

5 Ratings

Creator

Gustav Hoyer, Composer
Years Active

2019 - 2025
Episodes

7
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Anachronism

Anachronism

Episodes

An Ugly Christmas Sweater

The structure of Terra

Curated Listening ~ Before the Chill of Winter

An Official Invitation

Active Listening Part III

Active Listening Part II

Active Listening Part I

Ratings & Reviews

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