The Seven Energies

Red


Primary attribute: aliveness or vitality

Other attributes: separateness, conflict, adventure, danger, courage, strength, passion, challenge

From an evolutionary standpoint, red represents the beginning of a journey. It represents a sudden separation from oneness into individuality. Survival is the focus. Red is the raw experience of new life.

Red music is usually forceful and stark. It is often, but not always, fast-paced. It always radiates raw power. Most hard rock music has red energy. March music is red. In the classical world, red energy appears in many of the highly dramatic operas.

The dark version of red relates to fear, safety and insecurity.

Relevant composer: Igor Stravinsky. The Firebird and Rite of Spring are the very personification of primal ritual and passion. The bold and stark quality of Russian folk music finds its way into Stravinsky's works.

Examples of Red

BizetCarmen / Overture
Bach Christmas Oratorio / Jauchzet frolochet (red and orange)
Elgar Opus 39 Military Marches
Opus 66 (“Crown of India”)
Handel Messiah / Trumpet Shall Sound
Music for Royal Fireworks
Holst The Planets / Mars
Khachaturian Sabre Dance
Mussorgsky Pictures At An Exhibition / The Great Gate of Kiev
Night On Bald Mountain
Sousa Marches (parts)
Stravinski The Firebird / Infernal Dance
Rite of Spring / Sacrificial Dance, Games of the rival tribes
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
Nutcracker / Russian Dance (Trepak)
Verdi Il Trovatore / Soldiers’ Chorus, Anvil Chorus
Wagner Ride of the Valkyries
Lohengrin / Overture to Act III (except middle part)
Twilight of the Gods / Siegfried Funeral March (sections); Finale (sections)

Orange


home  colors intro  red  orange  yellow  green  blue  indigo  violet