Switched on
When I was a child, I remember our home being filled with the sounds of Beethoven, Handel, Bach and Mozart. Especially Sundays when my dad was home. I remember the pounding rhythm of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, the dynamic ‘lectric sounds of Switched on Bach and the sacred message of Handel’s Messiah.
Then I got older. And my appreciation for classical music, well slowly depreciated. I (much to my parents chagrin), began to enjoy music of my era (circa the ’80s). U2, REM, and Rush.
Now this isn’t to say I only listened to Rock ‘n’ Roll. I also really got into Jazz and Big Band music in high school (via positive influence of my friends). My brother Trevor let me copy some of his father-in-laws LPs (such as) on to cassette tape (Kenn says “RETRO”). This is where I was introduced to the Brazilian Jazz Classic Desafinado popularized by Stan Getz & Joaoo Gilberto (probably before I was born). Of course performing in the High School Concert and Jazz band helped keep my musical interests broad.
I even flirted with listening to classical a bit as a teen. Enjoying the dark (Harry Potteresqe) overtones of Stravinsky.
Marva and Karen would watch “The Sound of Music” every single stinkin’ time it came on TV. My testosterone kicked in and I tired of Julie Andrews pretty quick. I learned to loathe that movie. It’s ironic that “Mary Poppins,” and “The Sound of Music” are probably my two favorite movies.
As I matured (okay I’m still immature, as I have aged) I gained an appreciation for The Church’s many beloved hymns. This last weekend while waiting for the adult session of Stake Conference to begin, I was listening to the prelude while Michele chatted quietly with a friend. I noticed the organist was playing “In Humility, Our Savior.” I’ve never heard this simple hymn as prelude. As I reflected on it’s message, I was being prepared for the messages that would be delivered later that night. This is but one of many spiritual experiences with hymns.
But I never fell in love with classical music.
I recently read Elder Doug Callister’s talk Our Refined Heavenly Home and reflected on many ways that I lack talent and taste. And how can you not be moved by Oscar Wilde’s quote “After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own.”
Sometime during Stake Conference this last weekend, one of the visiting Authorities, said (paraphrasing), modern “music is marketing.” I have thought about that all week. You know what, he’s right (Michele’s says duh). Not convinced? Just watch any iPod commercial from the last few years.
This morning I realized that I don’t really enjoy the current and classic pop music my coworkers listen to. It’s familiar, but leaves an empty taste (like drinking diet soda).
I pulled out a pair of headphones, logged in to last.fm, thought “what would Michele listen to” and started playing a Claude Debussy station.
Do you know what? For the first time in my life I loved (not just enjoyed) listening to classical music.
08/20/2009 | hugh |
Classic Rock or Classical? (Comment)
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That is awesome! I need to listen to more….you know what, I am going to go put some classical stuff on right now while I clean. Hope you guys are having a good week. Love you!
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Aug 21, 08:08 AM