Music and its charms

What better beginning for a short essay on music? Coined by William Congreve, in the Mourning Bride, 1697:

“Musick has charms to sooth a savage breast,
to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak?”



Do we realize all the things about music that we love? Maybe, but I was thinking about it yesterday and wondered if any of us realize the thoughts and talents that are necessary to compose or conduct a symphony or a concerto or even an oratorio. The words of direction that give music its personhood are also a large part of our enjoyment, Piano, pianissimo, andante, largo forte all Italian words that make our music what it is. I discovered this year why an early piano was called a pianoforte. It is because it was capable of playing piano and forte soft and loud.

How in the world did Beethoven know what he was creating? He had lost his hearing; did he know the notes so well that he heard them in his head? The Moonlight Sonata, in his head, what a blessing and even his Ninth Symphony that we sing in church as Joyful Joyful, we adore thee. And little old Mozart the genius at such an early time in his life. He remains a favorite to this day. It would be difficult to mention his name and not have it recognized. And the film Amadeus brought even more interest to the general public. And many other stories surround the lives of the composers. F or instance I did not know that Robert Schuman died in a mental hospital. He had tried from an early age to commit suicide so requested to be hospitalized. And Franz Joseph Haydn’s head was stolen after he died Chopin died of pulmonary turberculosis.



Do you leave classical music playing all night? It is a good way to unclutter a brain; making room for ideas that have lain dormant for too long. ..The saying, “music hath charms” was coined by William Congreve, in theMmourningBride, 1697:



What better beginning for an essay on music?

classical music as we know it has been invaded by some real genius. Stravinsky, Copeland* and some of the raucous modern stuff that we have had to learn to accept. The Beatles did make compositions that were more musical than noisy definitely contrasting with what I call noise of the present day. Speaking of Copeland, his Fanfare for the Common Man comes to mind with its trumpets so pure. What is your favorite instrument? I think woodwinds are purer as are the trumpets. Must admit to influence of wynton and Ellis Marsalis and their brasses who have almost brought American Jazz into the classical sphere.

Copeland’s *Ballet Rodeo. And Appalachian Spring too have almost made it. We also know that the film industry borrows regularly from the old composers for its background music in many films.

Speaking of jazz, it is a little tough to take unless you can hear the engineering it takes to play the instruments. There are many devotees of this branch of music and perhaps it is well-earned. Having roots in our country in the New Orleans tradition many of us have learned to appreciate it to a great degree particularly for the talents it exhibits.