Yesterday I took our oldest Chinese daughter (age 11 and taking cello at her request — and she practices for hours because she wants to) to hear the youth symphony. I thought she would enjoy it. Three high school students were featured. They were each said to be good enough to be professional.

I didn’t realize the concert was going to be more than just these three (one played violin; one played the harp; one played clarinet — we had to leave early so we missed that one to our regret.)

I’m not much of one for classical music, because it feels morose to me and makes me melancholy, so I stay away from it, as I fight that anyway. But this was very well done.

And my daughter was enthralled.

One piece they played was a piece that had been lost and only in more recent years rediscovered at the Library of Congress by someone who felt it looked like it would be worth hearing. The conductor had heard it in Chicago and was surprised he hadn’t known anything about it, but felt the kids needed a chance to play it. I don’t know where my daughter put the program, but when I put my hands on it, I will edit this to include the name. Check back.

I finally found the program. It was Serenade for Wind Instruments, Op 40, by Arthur Bird (1856-1923). They performed the 1st, 2nd, and 4th parts of it — Allegro moderato; Adagio — Allegretto grazioso; and Allego energico.

They really did super. He said they hadn’t had much time to practice, but that only shows how good they are.

It made me think (and we spoke about it) about what it might have been like when there was no radio/TV/MP3s/before transistor radios/no Satellite radio or cable TV music…when in order to have music you had to be musical, such as the man singing tango that I just posted.

We are so spoiled to have access to music 24 hours a day, and every kind you could imagine.

I figure at one time, music was pretty much accessible only by the rich, and I wonder how much music was heard, such as concert music, by the poor.

Though I have gone with little music for periods of time, I’ve never been music-less and recently to be immersed in music again is a great gift.

Karin

Related Posts

• What's your favorite music? Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. Confucius I pretty much like it all, but I get tired of country, at least at times. Though, I have to admit, one of my favorite lyrics is: I could have missed the pain but I'd of had......
• The Holiday (movie and CD) This movie is really cute. I've enjoyed it a lot, and I've seen it more than once because the first time was a gift to me...and later I had a free movie pass...etc. It's surprising how fast 2 1/2 hours goes by. I love the music in the movie, so......
• Ah, sweet music I listened to music all night last night (other nights it shut off.) When I was wakeful, I just zoned out on the music...and at least two times it woke me with a favorite favorite song. I can't tell if I'm totally relaxed this morning or tired, LOL! Time will......
• The power of music Music defines the emotion of the heart…healings take place. Chris Finlayson I've gone for long periods of time with very little music and long periods of time with a whole lot of music. Going without music, which is somewhat foreign to me, happened for a variety of reasons: maybe......
• Richard Gilewitz, Dirt to Dust My 11 yo and I went to see him tonight. He was great! He's conducting a workshop tomorrow. This is one of the songs he played. It features tapping at the end. I think I was one of the few there that recognized what it was and told them to......

Related Websites

• Picking the Right Acoustic Instrument For Your Child Picking the right acoustic instrument from your child is important, because the wrong instrument will not inspire your child to learn how to master the concept of playing music. Research has shown that it is extremely beneficial for children to learn a musical instrument. Choosing an instrument that suits them......
• How to Get Kids Interested in Acoustic Music Getting children interested in music is not normally a difficult task, especially considering how many different types of music there are out there. If you are looking to get your children interested in acoustic music, however, the process may be a little more difficult. Children begin listening to music as......

Online Stores

• Radios Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles
• 1950-59 Tube Radios Radios Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles
• Tube Radios Radios Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles
• Parts Tubes Radios Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles
• 1930-49 Tube Radios Radios Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles

If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.


Categories:

Just thinking, Music