We liked this essay in defense of obligatory lessons for the young, written in response to one against the idea.
"I do think that classical music is, in some respect, bigger than other kinds of music. The music has been going on for five hundred years as a self-conscious tradition, dedicated to an extended meditation on a series of musical structures so limited as nearly to be arithmetical. And the meditations have reflected on one another, and, over the centuries, sometimes they have advanced.
"You are free to see in this 500-year meditation something very close to a mystical or Pythagorean inquiry into beauty, if you would like."
Joel? Jack?
4 comments:
Great to see Jackson playing cello for his family and his own pleasure.
I am forever grateful that my secondary school in UK in the 60's, would claim to educate h "rounded alumni!, not just academic geeks( although they were extremely good at that as well!).
Every pupil had to choose a sport , and stick at it for the whole of their school life , and also choose a musical instrument to learn.
If they did not choose, then one was "allocated!, I was fine choosing a sport, but not so keen on Music.
As I was tall,had a Double Bass foisted on me, and a place in the Junior orchestra, playing Classical music, rather than the Jazz and Blues that I still love!. I stopped by the time I was 18, but that grounding of reading,and playing with others,has been so useful in my 50's when I decided to play the saxophone.
I now play ( rather patchily!)in three bands, and it gives me so much pleasure.....so I raise a glass, and give thanks, to the old "Educate a whole person for life " educational value !!- sometimes it delivers in the strangest ways!!
JohnnyUK
PS. You are never too old to learn an instrument , if you really want to . I have "older", late blooming friends who started late, who play for their enjoyment , and are welcome members in our Community Band, so if you have the motivation, don't delay,give it a try, and you may amaze yourself, but it takes time, like anything worthwhile!!....
I have always loved Classical music, even though no one in my family were fans or encouraged it. As a little kid, hearing it on the T. V.(often as background music in a film), as an ostracized teenager for DARING to listen to it, as an eccentric younger man(considered eccentric for my musical tastes as well as a zillion other things...sigh), and well into my doterage--certain pieces are like old friends. But my Classical likes are specific--I NEVER learned to tolerate Opera, and most clanging, supremely egotistical piano music I find discordant and nerve racking! The piano, in my opinion, is only good for ONE thing--Ragtime! But I love a good symphony(minus the pianer), and I think it is because such music reminds me of the grandeur and beauty and peace of Nature, which other modern music does not. And spending most of my life in the woods, I relate to it better. I also tend to like a lot of ethnic and folk music, and my favorite Classical pieces are based on those themes. Such interests led me to embrace and love BAGPIPE music! You either love er hate the pipes, that's fer sure, laddie! I learned while living in a college dorm, that Classical CANNOT compete in volume with modern(especially heavy metal) Rock music, which neighboring residents often would put on to spitefully drown out my efforts to listen to my own music. HOWEVER, NOTHING can drown out BAGPIPES put on full volume, and I often brought such spiteful competitors to their knees(and politely reduced volumes) with mah Pipe Albums!....L.B.
Thanks, John. I used to fantasize about learning to play but with my Parkinsonian lack of dexterity I think I will concentrate on keeping skills like shooting and typing, and listen to those who do well. In town alone we have a classical cellist who plays internationally (Joel Becktell, in the pic with Niki and Eli; Jack also has a beard but more hair) and any number of rock and country musicians, including Montana Pettis and the bar's house band, 86'd Again).
I only wish we could afford or have room for a piano for Libby.
I should write more on Joel, but in the meantime look up his ensemble or "Classical group", Revels, on Amazon. They platy everything from Beethoven and obscure classical stuff to Stairway to Heaven.
Hi Steve & Libby
Sorry about the misreading of the Picture!!, and apols to Jackson !
The harmonica should be possible for you , for a start! have a go!
Modern, small, secondhand electronic pianos are great, and cheap! , some even have weighted keys - My friend Andrea Vicari, Professor of Jazz piano at Trinity College, London, plays a Casio( and sounds great on whatever she plays!)..
JohnnyUK
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