Had a listening break...

[Henk]

I didn't listen to classical music for some days. Listened to some pop music, did some other things but I really got depressed. Listening today to classical music again I enjoy it stronger then before. I realize that I can't do without. Without there's too much time, with there's too little time. Without I get depressed, with I am happy. It means so much to me. After these days of not listening I enjoy also music I didn't enjoy before. Tomorrow I want to try the Kempe Strauss set at the local record store,  I didn't like Strauss before. Very good times to come, discovering all that music and also operas.

Henk

[DavidRoss]

Congratulations, Henk.  One of the thinks that art does for us is to create an order that makes sense of the world, that soothes our souls by filling some fundamental inner longing for coherence amidst chaos, for meaning that reveals itself if we are just persistent enough and committed to receiving the revelation.  Music may do this more subliminally than the other arts; perhaps that's somehow responsible for the deep emotional connection so many of us feel for those special musical works that resonate in harmony with our souls. 

I'm glad to hear that you have found such a wonderful asset to enhance your appreciation for life.  And regarding your experience with music and depression:  When the world's careening madness casts a blue shadow over all, it's Bach and Mozart, Sibelius and Beethoven who somehow keep me sane.

[Henk]

Congratulations, Henk.  One of the thinks that art does for us is to create an order that makes sense of the world, that soothes our souls by filling some fundamental inner longing for coherence amidst chaos, for meaning that reveals itself if we are just persistent enough and committed to receiving the revelation.  Music may do this more subliminally than the other arts; perhaps that's somehow responsible for the deep emotional connection so many of us feel for those special musical works that resonate in harmony with our souls. 

I'm glad to hear that you have found such a wonderful asset to enhance your appreciation for life.  And regarding your experience with music and depression:  When the world's careening madness casts a blue shadow over all, it's Bach and Mozart, Sibelius and Beethoven who somehow keep me sane.

Nicely said, David. Considering this, how can it be that masses of people never in their lifes enjoyed a piece of classical music?

Henk

[mn dave]

Nicely said, David. Considering this, how can it be that masses of people never in their lifes enjoyed a piece of classical music?

Henk

Sorry, but you can't rely on music for your happiness. Well, you can, but it's not the best idea.

[DavidRoss]

...how can it be that masses of people never in their lifes enjoyed a piece of classical music?

Sad, isn't it?  Industrialization has brought technological marvels that make this glorious music available to nearly everyone, everywhere, at any time, instead of only to Europeans on Sundays (or their ruling class whenever the whim strikes), yet spiritual impoverishment due to man's misguided worship of himself and his creations has marginalized this precious soul food.

[Don]

Nicely said, David. Considering this, how can it be that masses of people never in their lifes enjoyed a piece of classical music?

Henk

Just because you are turned on by classical music, don't start thinking that everyone needs it.  I know some folks who are pleased with their lives who never listen to music of any type.

[Henk]

Just because you are turned on by classical music, don't start thinking that everyone needs it.  I know some folks who are pleased with their lives who never listen to music of any type.

I realize this, and I didn't want to suggest it.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Lately I've been doing a bit of meditation late at night, followed by some listening to Japanese shakuhachi, or Gregorian chant CDs. But I can't stay away from Bach for more than a few days! 

[mn dave]

Lately I've been doing a bit of meditation late at night, followed by some listening to Japanese shakuhachi, or Gregorian chant CDs. But I can't stay away from Bach for more than a few days! 

Bach is one of the basic food groups.

[Opus106]

Bach is one of the basic food groups.

Are you a Bachivore? 

[mn dave]

Are you a Bachivore? 

0:)

[jochanaan]

A listening BRAKE?  I've had a few of those; heard something I couldn't resist and SCREEEEEEECH!!

It's definitely an addiction; fortunately, it's a very healthy one. 0:)

[Edit: That was the way this thread head was originally spelled.  Henk has since incorporated the "correct" English spelling into his heading. ]

[some guy]

jochanaan, somebody had to say it...

(I tried to make another joke with the type of brake made of brambles and such. None of those attempts were funny, though. Even the one with a portable record player and the pun on scratches didn't really come off. Sad really.)

[DavidRoss]

It's a second language so how about giving him a break, guys?     I'll wager I would make far more egregious errors if I were writing in Dutch!

[Henk]

I already noticed it myself. I first wrote break but that sounds like "breek" so I got confused and changed it. :-).

[DavidRoss]

I already noticed it myself. I first wrote break but that sounds like "breek" so I got confused and changed it. :-).

  One might think "break" would rhyme with "beak" and not with "bake," but that's all part of the fun, eh?  One of my grandfathers learned English from books and used to tell stories about how such confusion made communication difficult when he first immigrated.  There's an old joke that says we should spell "fish" as "ghoti," pronouncing the "gh" as in "enough," the "o" as in "women," and the "ti" as in "action."

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

There's an old joke that says we should spell "fish" as "ghoti," pronouncing the "gh" as in "enough," the "o" as in "women," and the "ti" as in "action."

Good Ol' George Bernard Shaw was the originator.

[mahler10th]

Henk, I took a break myself for two or three weeks there and experienced much the same.  When I decided time was up for being without it, I played Ture Rangstroms first symphony quite loudly a couple of mornings ago and...well....did it sweep me away or what?  Can't live without our music either.
Hope you got the Kempe Strauss set.  It is rich and beautiful...in fact, I am inspired to play some myself...some Tod und Verklarung to keep me cheerful.   

[Henk]

Henk, I took a break myself for two or three weeks there and experienced much the same.  When I decided time was up for being without it, I played Ture Rangstroms first symphony quite loudly a couple of mornings ago and...well....did it sweep me away or what?  Can't live without our music either.
Hope you got the Kempe Strauss set.  It is rich and beautiful...in fact, I am inspired to play some myself...some Tod und Verklarung to keep me cheerful.   

Yeah I got the Kempe Strauss set. The Waltz on that same disc as Tod und Verklarung is also impressive. Here is a usefull review: http://tinyurl.com/5v3g2p. Not so high ranking but the review is positive.

[Don]

Bach is one of the basic food groups.

Taking it further, Bach encomposses all the food groups and vitamins from a to z.