Why listen to classical music
Autumn Fashion
Written by cjhammon in Books | Music | Art | Culture, Features
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If you line up 10 people and ask them which they would rather do—watch a movie or listen to classical music—what would the response be? I suspect movies would prevail. And yet the same movie-watching public would probably be surprised to find everything they love about movies, packed inside classical music.
I’m busting the old myth that says you need to be trained in classical music to appreciate it. That’s no more true than saying you have to understand how movies are made before you can enjoy them. It’s true that knowledge adds something to the experience. But it isn’t a prerequisite for anyone with a pulse.
It’s all that’s human
A good classical work is the expression of things you’d like to say and can’t, or things you suffered and wish you hadn’t. It’s the tongue lashing Mary Todd Lincoln gives Thaddeus Stevens in Lincoln. Stevens, not known for being dull of wit, can only stand there and take it like a man.
It’s her rage toward her husband and her grief over the loss of a child. It’s the impossible longing in Anna Karenina, the violence in Saving Private Ryan and the triumph of Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men.
It’s what you want to say to the person who won’t accept your love, or the bull-headed family member who refuses to change. It exorcizes your bitterness over a job loss and thumps the co-worker who’s driving you mad. It’s the unbearable joy of holding a new baby, the feeling of sun on your skin after a long winter, a high school basketball championship and a hole-in-one.
Whether you know much about it or not, listen up. You’re sure to find a classical piece that articulates just what you’re feeling.
Classical stars in Indy
The gala finals of the Classical Fellowship Awards sponsored by the American Pianists Association were held here on Friday and Saturday night. I heard three of the five finalists on Friday—the rough equivalent of having three pieces of cheesecake where the last bite was just as delicious as the first.
I had to hold myself down to keep from buying another $30 ticket for the final concert where Sean Chen gave his final performance and cinched the weeklong competition.
You can read all about him here. His prize: $50,000 in cash plus lots of media exposure and promotion that will stimulate an already promising career.
If you live in Indy, put these performances on your must-do list for next spring. Some of the competition is free and open to the public through noon concerts at Christ Church Cathedral on the circle.
I’m linking up with the always-inspiring Patti, Not Dead Yet Style, in response to her invite to share the accessories that make you feel great. My favorite is this pair of vintage rhinestone earrings, which I wore to the concert with this funky trench jacket in taffeta. When you wear extremely short hair, you really must wear earrings to soften the edges a bit. These are my favorites.
What’s your favorite piece of classical music or your favorite vintage accessories?
10 comments
April 22, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I don’t know what I would do without classical music in my life.
Just this morning, while straightening out my pantry, I had on a music channel that was playing the most sublime melody by an English composer I had never heard of. I had to step down from my ladder, sit down, close my eyes and listen.
Life is short, as you say. LISTEN to the good stuff!
April, Just Verte Style
April 22, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Favorite piece of music? Do I have to pick one?? How about multiples – Beethoven’s “emperor” suite, Debussy’s La Mer and Clair de Lune, Satie’s Gymnopedies, Mozart’s clarinet concerti, and Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess, for starters. And then there’s Rachmaninoff, Philip Glass, and for pure emotional drama (as if the others weren’t enough), S Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and the Tallis Scholars singing “Misere” (whew)! As for favorite vintage accessories – vintage gold charms for my bracelet, and a beautiful vintage jade bracelet, with gold hinge caps. But I would wear those rhinestone earrings of yours in a heartbeat. Delightfully beautiful.
April 22, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Oh, and in case anyone thinks I’m “old,” I started listening to classical music (after playing it in band and taking piano lessons as a kid, I’d never have thought I’d willingly listen to it as an adult) in college to help focus. Now, it’s the only thing I consistently listen to, and I’m in my mid-40s. My kids even choose to listen as they do their homework. It’s both soothing and energizing, and the emotions, as you pointed out, cover every possible human situation, even better than poetry!
April 23, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Such a ‘classical’ post and so informative. My piano teacher once told me that most medical students begin college on a music scholarship, I always found that very interesting, but it does make a lot of sense. I listened to lots of classical music when I was pregnant with both my children, neither turned out to be musicians but they are both calm, hard workers, and smart little kiddos so I assume it did some good. I still prefer classical when I’m cleaning and I turn it up as loud as I want, I’m the only one in the house at that time so its fun to pretend a live orchestra is performing for me.
April 24, 2013 at 9:05 am
Sometimes, I think I can listen better at home than in a concert hall without all the stimuli of people in front of me. So glad to find a fellow fan in you, Trina!
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April 24, 2013 at 9:06 am
Thank you! I’m with you…there are just too many to count and dozens for every mood, Gretchen! Thanks for stopping by my blog. You sound like my kinda girl!
April 24, 2013 at 9:07 am
I can just picture you doing this, April! I’ve always felt I could listen best in my own surroundings than a concert hall–better yet with your eyes closed.
April 24, 2013 at 2:15 pm
You make me hang my head in shame today, Crystal. I haven’t touched my piano in months, and I miss is. So little time, so many excuses. But I do listen, and often. You know I’m a Baroque fan, but I also love lots of periods, instruments and modes.
Have a great week, lovely. What a gorgeous jacket!
March 28, 2015 at 3:37 pm
Lovely Baroque jacket! Suits you perfectly!
In reply to your 2 questions: Bach cantatas always do it for me, whether to stimulate or to soothe.
Vintage earrings: Monet clip ons, for sure.
Sometimes I get to combine both – once a year we have a Mardi Gras/Venetian evening fundraiser for our Bach choir, and it’s a chance to put on the glitz.
Recipe: Kazan embroidered silk top from the 80’s scored off eBay + palazzo pants or long skirt + vintage Stuart Weitzman shoes (also from eBay), and dangly pearl/pave Monet earrings (with a spare pair in the purse in case the clips fall off)= nonchalant fun
March 28, 2015 at 3:43 pm
that should be Laurence Kazar, sorry for the typo!