What is it about music that stirs within me
Emotions of such varying colours and profound depths?
From those so long off days sitting with Dad,
Listening to the records spinning on the turntable,
Watching the awe on his face at the sounds
Being produced from a needle on the surface,
Of this large, round piece of plastic.
The power of the sound reaching into his heart ;
And mine.
That day we went together to a class,
And the man said to me, “Singing is only another instrument”
Opening my closed mind to the wonder of the voice in music.
A new world of wonder was now mine to enjoy.
The operas of Verdi, the Masses of Haydn;
The joy that listening to a Bach Cantata, brings to my soul
So much beautiful music, hidden from me
Because of my prejudiced, stubborn view of the voice.
My idea that music died with Brahms was a sham
When a friend said, listen to this, and opened my world
To the Appalachian world of Copland.
My blinkered sight changed yet again!
The music of most composers have space on my shelves;
That Fast Ride with John Adam, so thrilling;
The sparse music of Glass transforms me
Into moments of pure ecstasy no words can explain.
Messiaen, I once despised, but The End of Time
Sent shivers through me, so very, very moving when
Remembering the context from where it was created.
The String Quartet, a genre listened to many times
Confused me! It was hard to come to terms in my mind
To this music played by four instruments
I then LISTENED, and again I was hooked
Mainly by Dmitri and Ludwig,
But yet again Phillip transformed me.
Music, it has been there all my life.
I know so much, but realise
The more I know,
The more ignorant I am
And then there’s All that Jazz!
For another time and written in Swing.
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Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 14th, 2023 02:04
- Comment from author about the poem: The work was composed during Messiaen’s internment in a German prisoner-of-war camp and was first performed by and for fellow prisoners in 1941 using the only instruments that were available. Listening to this always moves me.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: Bella Shepard, Doggerel Dave.
Offline)
Comments5
A very moving number to go with your appealing words dear Andy - - nothing could open the mind to all sorts of music more than your gifted pen.
So very kind Fay, thank you.
Andy
A fine write Gold.
Oh lol, in a - comedy - programme, a couple said 'We're off to a Stockhausen concert'. Are they mad?!
Thanks Orchi.
Yes they must be mad!!
Andy
Erm, it was a comedy programme, so maybe the writers knew of the ghastly music, and put that line in for another laugh?
A full on confessional there, Andy. For me a real story of change. Many thanks.
One of a series?
It is the way music and I are Dave, there is so much music out there that I am still learning at my grand old age.
Andy
What wonders what existence would be without it.
Very good point John, I cannot exist without music in my life.
Andy
Your description of the love of sharing records on a turntable with your father really sets the tone for the love of music that grew and blossomed . What could be more wonderful to share? Thank you dear Andy for this wonderful piece!
So very true Bella, my father showed me and my brother music and it has been with me all my life.
Thank you for your very kind words.
Andy
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