Music

I just listened to the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, "Ode to Joy" for the first time in a long time. I remember when applying to colleges that the Ninth was the topic of one of my application essays. The writing prompt was something cliche' like: Pick a specific piece of art that is meaningful to you and explain why. I may have used that essay for more than one application; you know how you can find a way to make the same essay fit slightly different prompts so you don't have to write a separate essay for each application? Anyway, I remember as part of the essay I referenced Peter Weir, the director of the movie "Dead Poet's Society" who used the piece in the movie. I also referenced Robert Fulgham, the author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. He wrote a chapter on the Ninth and its amazing impact on his spirit.
I didn't realize at the time how cliche' it was to pick the Ninth as my topic. I mean, I was a smart girl, but I guess a bit "out of it" when it came to what was going on in the world in general. My own essay was evidence of this. I mean, I referenced two other people who had picked the Ninth to communicate their spirits; obviously it wasn't an original choice.
But, is it cliche'? Or, do so many people continue to acknoweldge the Ninth because it is just that fucking good? At what point does a fantastic piece of art lose its impact based on over use or over exposure? Are certain Led Zeppelin songs no better than bubble gum rock now that you hear them on various car commercials? Or, do certain pieces of art stand the test of time no matter who abuses them?
It is an interesting question.
I don't care how trite I sound, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, particularly the final movement, "Ode to Joy" is EPIC! It is that fucking good.
And, music in general is amazing. This is what I think: I don't beleive in magic, but if there is one thing on this earth that comes close to being described as magic, it's music.
Random sound waves put together to make random notes put together through different mediums that incite saddness, anger, elation, memories, nostalgia, romance...I don't know, maybe it IS magic.
Music is not a luxury to me, it is a necessity. Ok, maybe that is not LITERALLY true, but life isn't all literal.
I always feel like I don't have the right to be such a music lover. Everyone else I know that "gets" the music thing like me, creates music in some way or another. They sing or play instruments or make electronic music and they can read musical notes. I create nothing musical. I can't even read notes. It's pathetic.
I always wanted to sing. Desperately...still do. But enough years of friends teasing me about my horrible voice and being tone deaf has beat the bravery to try it out of me. Even though other friends, who have some know about vocals, say my issue is merely breath. If a vocal teacher taught me to breath correctly, they say, I could sing. Some even say they imagine I would have a fantastic singing voice due to my raspy talking voice. Who knows. Regardless, at this point I have no control of my singing voice. Though I do sing, in the privacy of my car and home, a lot.
Both my husband and I are music lovers and I believe we have already started to instill that love of music into both of our kids. Graham actually has a very good singing voice. He is really into musical theater and I'm hoping to convince him to join Choir next year. Who knows, maybe I can satiate my desire to sing by living vicariously through him:)