7 Keys to Heighten Your Musical Experience
Dr. Jeannine Jordan
"If you haven't found something strange during the day,
it hasn't been much of a day."
J.A. Wheeler, Physicist
Expanding on Wheeler's thought, I've taken the liberty to delve into this quote from a musical perspective. It has yielded some interesting thoughts and videos. Take time to find the surprises.
"If you haven't found something surprising in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." Why has the composer included that unexpected syncopation and those nearly mind-jarring sounds? The Lord of the Rings Symphony by Howard Shore creates an unmistakable energy through the use of compositional surprise.
"If you haven't found something wondrous in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." Where is that soaring progression leading?
The Sanctus of Maurice Durufle’s Requiem nearly escapes the bounds of this earth; its wonder is so great!
"If you haven't found something heartbreaking in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How did the composer create such pathos?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu from his Requiem tears at your soul.
"If you haven't found something to celebrate in a piece
of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How does that relentlessly joyous rhythmic motive affect you? The Sinfonia known as “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” from Handel’s oratorio Solomon is a piece of utter joy.
"If you haven't found something worth grieving over in music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." What image of grief does the composer paint for you? Franz Liszt’s Variations on Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen composed after the death of his daughter, Blandine, conveys the deepest of grief yet in the end transports one to the hope filled affirmation, “What God Does, Is Done Well”.
"If you haven't found something blessed in music you experience during the day, it hasn'tbeen much of a day." Where did that calming, soothing melody originate? Eric Whiteacre’s piece incorporating only one word, Alleluia, blesses with its melodic and harmonic purity.
"If you haven't found something amazing in music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How did you play the piece for the hundredth time and still feel amazed by its power? For me, that piece is Johann Sebastian Bach’s Fugue in E-flat Major (The St. Anne). I am and always will be in awe of this profound and amazing music expressing so completely the mysterious and awesome power of the Holy Trinity.
The implication derived from physicist Wheeler's statement is that we must
pay attention to
E V E R Y T H I N G
in each piece of music we
practice, perform, listen to, or teach.
We must
actively engage
in the work of making music
as a participant, not as a spectator.
We must bring
all our senses
into play in each encounter and every circumstance.
How will you find your day, this day filled with music?
What will surprise you?
What will make your heart beat faster with wonder?
Make your day more than the chronology of
24 hours of music-making.
Let it be and become a day filled with significance,
a day filled joy, wonder, and discovery.
....Jeannine
Dr. Jeannine Jordan
"If you haven't found something strange during the day,
it hasn't been much of a day."
J.A. Wheeler, Physicist
Expanding on Wheeler's thought, I've taken the liberty to delve into this quote from a musical perspective. It has yielded some interesting thoughts and videos. Take time to find the surprises.
"If you haven't found something surprising in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." Why has the composer included that unexpected syncopation and those nearly mind-jarring sounds? The Lord of the Rings Symphony by Howard Shore creates an unmistakable energy through the use of compositional surprise.
"If you haven't found something wondrous in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." Where is that soaring progression leading?
The Sanctus of Maurice Durufle’s Requiem nearly escapes the bounds of this earth; its wonder is so great!
"If you haven't found something heartbreaking in a piece of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How did the composer create such pathos?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu from his Requiem tears at your soul.
"If you haven't found something to celebrate in a piece
of music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How does that relentlessly joyous rhythmic motive affect you? The Sinfonia known as “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” from Handel’s oratorio Solomon is a piece of utter joy.
"If you haven't found something worth grieving over in music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." What image of grief does the composer paint for you? Franz Liszt’s Variations on Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen composed after the death of his daughter, Blandine, conveys the deepest of grief yet in the end transports one to the hope filled affirmation, “What God Does, Is Done Well”.
"If you haven't found something blessed in music you experience during the day, it hasn'tbeen much of a day." Where did that calming, soothing melody originate? Eric Whiteacre’s piece incorporating only one word, Alleluia, blesses with its melodic and harmonic purity.
"If you haven't found something amazing in music you experience during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." How did you play the piece for the hundredth time and still feel amazed by its power? For me, that piece is Johann Sebastian Bach’s Fugue in E-flat Major (The St. Anne). I am and always will be in awe of this profound and amazing music expressing so completely the mysterious and awesome power of the Holy Trinity.
The implication derived from physicist Wheeler's statement is that we must
pay attention to
E V E R Y T H I N G
in each piece of music we
practice, perform, listen to, or teach.
We must
actively engage
in the work of making music
as a participant, not as a spectator.
We must bring
all our senses
into play in each encounter and every circumstance.
How will you find your day, this day filled with music?
What will surprise you?
What will make your heart beat faster with wonder?
Make your day more than the chronology of
24 hours of music-making.
Let it be and become a day filled with significance,
a day filled joy, wonder, and discovery.
....Jeannine