One of the pluses of being a musician (in my case a composer) is living in a constant environment of music. It’s everywhere, even when the stereo is turned off. In fact, I don’t play CDs as often as some people think, and that’s because music is in my head 24/7.
Throughout the day I’m constantly turning musical phrases over this way and that in my mind, even when I don’t mean to, playing with harmonies and contrapuntal lines, as well as the voices, or “colors,” of the individual instruments, or human voices. I think it could drive some people mad, but as a composer I’d go mad if my daily life wasn’t full of this. However, everything changes when Nettl begins working on a piece at the piano.
Then the buzz in my head fades and both my conscious and subconscious attention is drawn to what she’s doing. I don’t think even she knows what a respite this creates for me. As she works on the Mozart K.505, my mind creates the entire piece for me — the orchestration, the piano obbligato — the entire score. It’s like living in a concert hall. What a delightful accompaniment to my Saturday blogging!
Tonight we’re going to Ville and Beau’s house to play board games. Meantime, I have some work for Rhombus to get done and emailed.
Think you could talk her into singing Aria for us if we had another get together? I would LOVE to hear it. I told her she needs to practice in front of a live audience.
ReplyDeleteI can’t sing it and play at the same time so I’ll have to find someone to play it!
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Even though our styles/genres are quite different, what you speak of is universal, just like music itself. Since I first pursued music, I have always had that incessant symphony running mad circles round my brain. Its always more prominent when trying to fall asleep, used to drive me crazy.
ReplyDeleteThen there were a couple of years or so when it was gone. The reprieve was nice for a while until I wanted it back. Finally it came back and I realized how much it means to me. It’s kinda like those sci-fi stories where someone hears everyones’ thoughts all their life. Suddenly one day it’s gone and they are overcome by a loneliness or an isolation that they can’t adapt to.
Listening to someone else perform (off-stage) is truly one of the most rewarding experiences. I always loved it when I heard you writing something on the piano, or when I would hear my dad playing his guitar at night. I never seems to last long enough though. Life interrupts in all the ways it can and the solace is obliterated. But those are the times that probably influenced me the most on that deeper, creative level.
What an incredibly beautiful comment.
ReplyDeleteYour creativity has always amazed me and I really enjoy listening to your music late at night while I’m at my computer. When will your latest CD be available?
Thank you! Also, you’re not the only one asking about my next CD, lol. As soon as I get a new printer I owe a CD to a couple of people (promised in trade for theirs), you’re on the list now, too.
ReplyDeleteI can’t play a note but when I’m not listening to music I always have music in my head. I was surprised to learn that some people don’t. I can’t imagine that. Sometimes it’s a good thing but sometimes it’s annoying. That’s why I have music on most of the time even if I’m not really listening to it.
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