Rob Rankin
@robrankin.bsky.social
composer | music theory/comp professor U of Utah | husband (@maxecoleman.bsky.social) | record collector | chicago cubs fan | occasional writer of words (http://robrankin.substack.com)
robertrankinmusic.com
robertrankinmusic.com
I filmed a made-for-home-video version of a lecture I gave at the University of Utah’s Fridays With Faculty series, about how musical structures can “behave” or mirror extra-musical concepts.
robrankin.substack.com/p/form-as-me...
robrankin.substack.com/p/form-as-me...
FORM AS METAPHOR
How Extra-musical Ideas Can Exist In Abstract Music
robrankin.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I filmed a made-for-home-video version of a lecture I gave at the University of Utah’s Fridays With Faculty series, about how musical structures can “behave” or mirror extra-musical concepts.
robrankin.substack.com/p/form-as-me...
robrankin.substack.com/p/form-as-me...
It's the day of the show (talk), y'all! I'm lecturing about how musical structures can "behave" or mirror extra-musical concepts. We are gonna look at some Beethoven, some Berg, and my own Concerto for Wind Ensemble. Come on out!
November 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
It's the day of the show (talk), y'all! I'm lecturing about how musical structures can "behave" or mirror extra-musical concepts. We are gonna look at some Beethoven, some Berg, and my own Concerto for Wind Ensemble. Come on out!
Reposted by Rob Rankin
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
Just checked the @nytimes.com site and for a paper of record which is able to change their top headlines and cover story with the click of a button, it is beyond me why "PRESIDENT CALLS FOR THE DEATH OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS" isn't blaring from their page?
Trump has gone off the rails this morning, calling for democrats to be arrested & killed, which only means one thing: he knows his time is up.
He will be impeached. He will be convicted. He will be removed. And this entire regime will be held accountable for its attack on our democracy and people.
He will be impeached. He will be convicted. He will be removed. And this entire regime will be held accountable for its attack on our democracy and people.
November 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Just checked the @nytimes.com site and for a paper of record which is able to change their top headlines and cover story with the click of a button, it is beyond me why "PRESIDENT CALLS FOR THE DEATH OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS" isn't blaring from their page?
Bret Stephens continues to step on the same rake over and over again for the past two decades. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Opinion | The Case for Overthrowing Maduro
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Bret Stephens continues to step on the same rake over and over again for the past two decades. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Mike "Do You Think Americans Really Give A Fuck About Ukraine?" Pompeo
In an effort to enhance its international reputation, Fire Point is establishing a new factory in Denmark and bringing prominent industry figures on board. https://to.pbs.org/481uhGy
Mike Pompeo named adviser to Ukrainian defense company looking to expand missile operations
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of Ukraine’s leading defense company, Fire Point.
to.pbs.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Mike "Do You Think Americans Really Give A Fuck About Ukraine?" Pompeo
The New Deal would like a word
Bessent on tariffs: "This is one of President Trump's signature policies, and traditionally the Supreme Court does not interfere with a president's signature policy."
November 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The New Deal would like a word
I wrote about A.I. music slop and why it fools us more then A.I. visual slop.
robrankin.substack.com/p/ghost-writ...
robrankin.substack.com/p/ghost-writ...
GHOST WRITING
Why Does A.I. Music Pull The Wool Over Our Eyes?
robrankin.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I wrote about A.I. music slop and why it fools us more then A.I. visual slop.
robrankin.substack.com/p/ghost-writ...
robrankin.substack.com/p/ghost-writ...
I don’t know…this Donald guy seems to be a bad influence on Jeff
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails suggesting that President Trump knew more about Jeffrey Epstein’s activities than he has acknowledged.
Here's a look at what the emails show. nyti.ms/48aa1Uu
Here's a look at what the emails show. nyti.ms/48aa1Uu
What Epstein’s Emails Allege About Trump’s Knowledge of His Conduct
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails suggesting that President Trump knew more about Jeffrey Epstein’s activities than he has acknowledged.
nyti.ms
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I don’t know…this Donald guy seems to be a bad influence on Jeff
Reposted by Rob Rankin
I'm giving a talk on how musical structure can function as a kind of metaphor. Come out and hear me blab about Beethoven, Berg, and, humbly, me!
music.utah.edu/events/?trum...
music.utah.edu/events/?trum...
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I'm giving a talk on how musical structure can function as a kind of metaphor. Come out and hear me blab about Beethoven, Berg, and, humbly, me!
music.utah.edu/events/?trum...
music.utah.edu/events/?trum...
Grateful that six people bought by the Heritage Foundation decided that I get to remain married for at least the next few years.
Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Grateful that six people bought by the Heritage Foundation decided that I get to remain married for at least the next few years.
Reposted by Rob Rankin
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. apnews.com/article/supr...
Reposted by Rob Rankin
A sneak peek at the cover of next week’s issue, which celebrates Zohran Mamdani’s historic win. #NewYorkerCovers
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM
November 5, 2025 at 3:15 AM
A sneak peek at the cover of next week’s issue, which celebrates Zohran Mamdani’s historic win. #NewYorkerCovers
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM
Reposted by Rob Rankin
Breaking news: Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected as the next mayor of New York City, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and becoming the first Muslim and first of Indian descent to hold the office. https://wapo.st/47rlrDf
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Breaking news: Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected as the next mayor of New York City, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and becoming the first Muslim and first of Indian descent to hold the office. https://wapo.st/47rlrDf
I feel like the fundamental misunderstanding in this country is that the annoying things your twenty year old niece posts online are not official Democratic talking points.
I don't think it helps the debate about what Democrats should do to pick an obscure thing that some Democrat somewhere may have said -- like on teaching eighth grade algebra -- and then attribute it to Democrats generally.
November 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I feel like the fundamental misunderstanding in this country is that the annoying things your twenty year old niece posts online are not official Democratic talking points.
Reposted by Rob Rankin
Pete Gold-Armstrong. 😌
November 3, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Pete Gold-Armstrong. 😌
Happy Halloween!
We learned that most fresh blood stains vanish with cold water and inexpensive household cleaning products, and that acting fast is a crucial part of the process. Here's what to do: nyti.ms/4hAYz7O
October 31, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Happy Halloween!
“Take Care of This House” from the Bernstein/Lerner musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, has been referenced, metaphorically, over the past ten years.
Tonight, with the former East Wing of the White House now a pile of debris, the song becomes something painfully literal.
youtu.be/ns0bW-VonK4
Tonight, with the former East Wing of the White House now a pile of debris, the song becomes something painfully literal.
youtu.be/ns0bW-VonK4
Take Care of This House (From "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue")
YouTube video by Leonard Bernstein - Topic
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 2:45 AM
“Take Care of This House” from the Bernstein/Lerner musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, has been referenced, metaphorically, over the past ten years.
Tonight, with the former East Wing of the White House now a pile of debris, the song becomes something painfully literal.
youtu.be/ns0bW-VonK4
Tonight, with the former East Wing of the White House now a pile of debris, the song becomes something painfully literal.
youtu.be/ns0bW-VonK4
Reposted by Rob Rankin
Use code “indictment” for $5 of free bets on DraftKings
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested by the FBI for alleged illegal gambling, sources tell ESPN.
October 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Use code “indictment” for $5 of free bets on DraftKings
Picked up this hefty boy from the Hollywood Amoeba Music (for a bargain) and have been gradually making my way through the 106 discs. I'm a little over halfway there. Two takeaways:
1. These Mozart Pno. Concerto/Symphony recordings are unparalleled
2. The La Mer recording is shockingly terrible!
1. These Mozart Pno. Concerto/Symphony recordings are unparalleled
2. The La Mer recording is shockingly terrible!
October 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Picked up this hefty boy from the Hollywood Amoeba Music (for a bargain) and have been gradually making my way through the 106 discs. I'm a little over halfway there. Two takeaways:
1. These Mozart Pno. Concerto/Symphony recordings are unparalleled
2. The La Mer recording is shockingly terrible!
1. These Mozart Pno. Concerto/Symphony recordings are unparalleled
2. The La Mer recording is shockingly terrible!
Reposted by Rob Rankin
Canvas has been down alllll day. Maybe monopolies ARE bad!
October 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Canvas has been down alllll day. Maybe monopolies ARE bad!
I wrote about Arnold Schoenberg, the wonders of modernism, and the prevailing myth that a single man can ruin an entire art form. open.substack.com/pub/robranki...
WHAT DO WE MAKE OF SCHOENBERG?
Arnold Schoenberg and the Myth of Modern Music
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I wrote about Arnold Schoenberg, the wonders of modernism, and the prevailing myth that a single man can ruin an entire art form. open.substack.com/pub/robranki...
You would think after decades of making this claim, they would have found at least one (1) single “Thanks For Protesting” check
Sean Duffy: "The No Kings protest, Maria, really frustrating. This is part of antifa, paid protesters. It begs the question who's funding it."
October 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
You would think after decades of making this claim, they would have found at least one (1) single “Thanks For Protesting” check