The God of Music. Review
{image credit megan kristine }
I have spoken before about music and it’s effect on me. Of the way it moves me. How tears welled at Gorillaz, how I wept when I heard The Hilltop Hoods. The sweet sorrow of hearing Cyndi Lauper sing Time after Time or Paul Kelly singing From St Kilda. As a child I went to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with my grandmother. In my family home the record player was used for a lot of music, Elvis, Tchaikovsky, Swinging Safari… John Farnham. We all grew out of John Farnham, the rest has stayed. When at my sister’s we still put on those childhood records and talk, dance and drink with them playing. The music washing over us with memories.
I have a few musical experiences I count as my most memorable. The first time I saw Michael Franti & Spearhead. Being in the front row for the Mountain Goats belting out This Year. Coldplay singing Yellow and a wall of confetti.
In December I added the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Messiah.
Sitting in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at the Melbourne Recital Centre with the vast wooden surfaces was an experience in itself. The warmth of the wood on every surface gives an impression of intimacy. This was compounded once the performance was about to begin as I could hear, as if I was standing right beside him, the intake of breath from conductor Reinhard Goebel as he raised his hand to begin.
With soloists Miriam Allan, soprano, Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo-soprano, Angus Wood, tenor and Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass-baritone and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus led by chorus master Jonathan Grieves-Smith this was truly an experience I will not forget.
The music brought emotions to the surface, memories of place and people, memories from my soul.
It affected me physically in the deep bass coming up from the sole of my feet, the almost involuntary tapping of a hand, a finger or my foot.
It effected me emotionally, as all music does. It spoke to my spirit and rocked my soul. I tweeted the God of Music is alive and well #Messiah #MSO
For my family I have decided to make this an annual event.
The 2012 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra season has begun, and there are a range of events to choose from. Including four free concerts in February. On the 15th, 18th, 22nd and 25th. Each with a different theme. The weather in February is perfect for a family picnic and some music at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
For my Blue Eyed Boy I have my eye on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in October.
There are a number of children’s concerts throughout the year too. Something I look forward to taking my class to each year, and a great family outing.
Music speaks to the very soul of you. A song, a note can bring memory flooding back. Evoking time, place, people, emotion. What memories do you have linked to music? I’d love to know.
Disclaimer: I received two complementary tickets to the performance of Messiah from the MSO.
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From my childhood autograph book, written by an elderly relative:
“This is the beauty of music. I love it for what it makes me remember and for what it makes me forget”.
Don’t know who originally wrote that, but it’s so true…
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Naomi Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
It is so, so true. I can’t imagine a life without music.
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So many memories linked to music! From my grandmothers Dean Martin records as a child to going to the theatre for Phantom of the Opera, Wicked & Jesus Christ Superstar, to the many concerts hubby & I attended, John Farmham who I adore (& recently splurged for the 25th anniversary of whispering Jack) is amazing & his songs speak to my heart <3, Def Leppard, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Pink & Midnight Oil all amazing!
Last year Jimmy Barnes solo & Cold Chisel made me tear up & bought memories crashing back.
There is nothing quite like it & I look forward to sharing many more with my kids as they get older.
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Naomi Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
The sound of music playing on a record is something I love. Taking children to concerts is such a joy as a parent. Watching their reactions is amazing and I think a love of music is an amazing gift to share with them.
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Absolutely.
Music transcends the boundaries of language & vocabulary.
Mum on the Run recently posted..Point + Shoot : Mastering The Chill
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Naomi Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Couldn’t agree more.
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My father whistling Beethoven’s 5th whilst working in the garden at Barton Vale; the way my muscles twitch whenever I hear the start of Swan Lake; the memories that La Traviata & Miles Davis Sketches of Spain bring back the moment I hear the opening bars and the fact that I alway hum when my favourite operas come an even though I am totally tone deaf when I sing … it’s in there but just doesn’t come out right! But the dogs don’t care if I’m off key when I sing Onwards Christian Soldiers as we march along a bush track!! And singing Bob the Builder with the grandkids in my car on the way home from school, long ago, when they still lived in Hobart.
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Naomi Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Singing loudly off key is such a pleasure. Wish the kids thought so!
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We were struggling with finding a song for our wedding, one for me to walk into the chapel to. The celebrant suggested a song from Lord if the Rings, Mr H loves the books and movies and I was skeptical about it, but it was the most perfect music, so I think we might like to see that too.
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Naomi Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I walked down the aisle to Trumpet Voluntary. I love that piece of music. It evokes such a range of emotions when I hear it. It would be fantastic to hear an orchestra play your wedding music.
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So firstly, I thought you had written ” In my family home the RECORDER player was used for a lot of music” and I got happy for a split second thinking the musical instrument that defined my personal affinity with playing had finally gotten the recognition (by an entire family!) that I feel it deserves. But no.
Second, next time MF comes to town, you, me… Your hubby… whomever else in your nest can’t miss him (I’m on my own in my love of The Franti in this house): we’re going. Yes?
Music memories: so numerous, too many to mention. Music is IN me. I come from a loooong line of musicians on my mother’s side, some famous ones too (a conductor, a baritone personally endorsed by Dame Nellie Melba, a professor of Music, an opera singer, etc etc…). My Dad is musical too. He and Mum met in a church choir. He plays(ed) guitar and one of my fondest memories of him was realising he could play the Larry Adler theme to ‘Genevieve’ (the movie I blogged about in Dec.) on his harmonica.
This is getting long enough for a blog post of its own…. which I think I’ll do. Cheers.
Kirrily recently posted..2012: The Year of…. Contentment
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Naomi Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 11:23 am
But I LOVE the recorder… when it’s played properly. Which can be done, just not usually by a bunch of primary school children.
As for MF I watch that changing coming events board eagle eyed in anticipation of his return!
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Kirrily Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Same here. He’s never come back again! But I’m watching it all the same. One year.
Kirrily recently posted..2012: The Year of…. Contentment
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