Music

First recollections of music was with my Grandparents, the Roberts. Grandfather spoke of the "music of the Gods," and played a windup gramaphone with everything from opera selections to symphonies, plus singers of the twenties and early thirties. He wanted me to know that music listening should be a conscious act, not just something in the background. And then there were the popularized "classics" that my parents listened to (Freddie Martin, I think), and my mother's time at the spinet. Soon I would be trying to pick things out on that piano, and then found myself taking lessons on the accordian. We had music at school too, of course, chorus and the infamous harmonica orchestra in grammar school.

Later I would take piano lessons from an excellent neighborhood teacher, and I had the good sense to sneak into her yard and listen to her and her husband play beautiful duets for piano and violin. Luckily my school arranged for us to go the symphony orchestra rehearsals, and I became more and more interested in music, including jazz, mostly through a local musician, Eddie Hatten. I learned to play rhythm piano, and played with groups in high school (New Orleans, Dixieland). Meanwhile, my focus was primarily upon small group music, I could always understand the harmonics and such better than large bands and symphony orchestras.

So to this day chamber music is number one. And Mozart and Schubert (for example) are of more interest, as are small jazz groups. I truly feel deeply unhappy for people who are unable to have experiences in music which can reach deeply into their inner selves, persons who seem treat music as something in the background, a kind of muzak.

Example of what I suggest for listening? J.S, Bach's Partita d-Moll BWV 1004 for Violin Solo & Chorale, especially cuts 9 - 11: Giga, Den Tod ... & Ciaccona (plus other cuts for those who especially like chorale music), This music was composed by Bach while away from home making music for a living, and his wife died in his absence. This music was composed in the time after her death in the memory of her and their family. Recording: Mortimur, The Hilliard Ensemble, Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series 1765, 289461895-2. Some musicologists consider this to be the most beautiful musical theme in all of music.

It is difficult for me to imagine life without music. It is one of the things which makes existence work, to be a part of the whole of humanity. There are a lot of divisions in music, and it is amazing how few people in our society have heard music from Muslim countries, from Africa and Asia. When you listen to Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now" you hear music from around the globe, depending on the culture of content within the newscast. And on community radio in our region you hear indigenous music as well. A world of music, and next I'm going to take on i-toons