I believe that music is a way to say love, hate, sadness, or jealousy without ever saying a word. It's the most powerful type of talking because it invokes feelings so that the listener can take the music and make it part of him. Nowadays it's hard to get feelings from music because it's all heart throbbing, jumping up and down, mash pit stuff that talks about sex and late nights at the club with a newfound beau. It used to be that music was wordless and only used the emotions of the listener to give it it's power. Maybe it's a personal thing with me, but I think that the reason people like the mash pit music is because it is safer and easier to listen to then symphonies and great ballads. For example, I recently listened to a track that told the story of a man. He falls in love with a woman but it's a false love, she betrays him and ends up being burned alive for being a witch. Yet while she's dying he still loves her and he pledges his heart to the girl. But, as all stories do, his life moves and and he forgets about her. But when he dies he goes to hell to be tormented by a hag he discovers is the soul of that witch. It's a difficult piece of music to figure out and it teaches a lesson.
Music that has only words of love and lust is easy to listen to so most of the populace listens to that and they distain anything with the words "old", "modest", or "symphony" near it. It takes a bit of time to be able to listen to classical music and not die of boredom. It also takes a mature mind... little kids can listen to classical music but everything they hear is a blur and all they see in their heads is swirls and bursts of color. To close your eyes and see and feel a song is a wonderful but hard-won thing.
What brought this on you ask?
I recently went to a high school concert for the end of the year to showcase all their hard work. It was a wonderful concert but all my friends confided that they found all the songs - except for the violin rendition of Apologize - boring. I don't know how, my foot was tapping along to all the songs. But when I think about it, I realize that they have only been exposed to the mash pit music and therefore the slower, more meaningful songs such as the Cannon Waltz and Swan Lake would seem boring and slow to them. There is a reason those songs are still listened to after one hundred years while Justin Beiber will be older than Bob Marley by the time I turn twenty five. I love them dearly, but my friends have been close minded to listening to music. As a favor to your favorite Irish Princess, listen to a song called "In the Hall of the Mountain King" with an open mind. It might surprise you what happens when you just let go of your walls and listen for the little muse inside you that can tell you the next great idea. Music feeds our muse, and not just Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Try some Beetles, Beach boys, Rockapella, and if you're brave enough to open you eyes wide enough try some Hayden and Gershwin.
Being able to listen with an open mind to a century old piece of music takes skill and willingness that shows you are an open mided individual who can think for yourself and make up your own moral and prefrences. Even if it's not in style at the moment, being true to yourslf and who you are is an important part and everyone.
To cap off this enlightening post, I will request two things. One, the request I said above and Two, when you go to the next school concert or hear a ballad on the radio, try and listen without instantly scoffing and walking away. You might surprise yourself with who you are.
Irish Princess
(in my dreams)
Rabecca
