Category: Thoughts

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The Classical Magic

Photo by Luis Ruiz: https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-buildings-near-sea-under-blue-sky-1292843/

I listen to a LOT of music. I cannot live without music. As a fan of music, I love music from a wide variety of genres. I love and enjoy listening to Hip Hop, Heavy Metal, Mo Town, R&B, House, Dancehall Reggae, Jazz, Funk, Techno, Korean Pansori, Nigerian Apala (Yoruba), Afrobeats, Afrobeat (yes, there is a difference), Korean Trot, Alternative, New Country, and Classical.

Of all the music that I enjoy, classical music generates the most emotional response in me. House music makes me feel positive, upbeat, and happy. It also makes me want to dance. Classical music on the other hand, makes me feel happy, positive, and upbeat, but it also makes me feel sadness, despair, struggle, triumph, power, explosive, hopeful, and physically drained. It can bring tears to my eyes or make me yell for joy… especially the cadenza from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Some pieces of classical music bring the listener on a true emotional rollercoaster ride. For example, listen to Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in B Minor, Opus 32, Number 10. The intense middle section of this wonderful piece transports me through a metaphorical wilderness – lost and alone but driven by some primal urge to conquer the towering, foreboding mountain that stands imposingly before me.

As I begin my ascent up the mountain’s rocky cliffs and narrow passes, sharp stones and pebbles rain down upon me, cutting my hands and feet. But I push myself harder, compelled by forces I don’t fully understand to reach the summit. My muscles ache, my lungs burn, but still I climb.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity of struggle, I pull myself up over the peak and collapse in exhaustion. As I lay there regaining my strength, the storm clouds break, and I’m bathed in warm sunlight. The view from the top is breathtaking – I can see for miles in every direction.

In the distance lies the low-rise apartment block where I grew up, looking exactly as I remember it. A flood of nostalgia washes over me as I think back to carefree days playing in the courtyard with my friends, sharing meals around the dinner table with my family, falling asleep each night feeling safe and loved.

I ache to visit my old apartment building again, to walk those familiar halls and see the people I knew. But I know that things have changed, that my home is no longer the place I remember. The world has moved on while I’ve been on my solitary journey. I can never go back, only forward.

As the sun begins to set, I settle down near the mountain peak to rest. Staring out at the horizon, I continue reminiscing about my childhood as I slowly drift off to sleep, the image of my apartment block fixed firmly in my mind. When I wake, I will begin the long, arduous descent back down the mountain to rejoin the world. But for now, I am content, laying here looking through the window from my new condo.

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Classical Confession

Photo by Ekaterina from Pexels

I must confess. I am not of this world. By “this world” I am referring to the traditional classical music industry at large.   

I grew up listening to Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, R&B, House, and Pop. Throughout this time, I always had an appreciation for classical music. I just loved the sound of strings or piano.   

I am not your stereotypical Classical music connoisseur. As I enter this world, I feel as though I am an outsider. I did not study music theory or train classically as a child. I have no formal credentials that “qualify” me to truly understand this complex art form. 

Yet my soul is moved by the beauty of classical compositions. The music speaks to me on a primal level that popular genres cannot reach. I feel it in my bones.  

I hope my journey through this wonderful world inspires others from non-traditional backgrounds to seek and enjoy music they truly love. Classical music should be accessible to all who wish to partake in its splendor. 

The pandemic has changed all of our lives. Sometimes for worse, other times better. In my case, I experienced both sides. The positive side was me starting to learn to play the piano.  

I have been fascinated by the beautiful sounds of the piano since childhood. I remember being mesmerized by the piano while attending Sunday school. I thought the pianist was the most incredible person in the building. The music transported me, allowed me to feel joy and hope despite difficult times. 

Watching people play the piano always blew me away. It just all seemed so impossible to me. I could never see myself playing such a complex instrument. It looked so miraculous to me. Especially mesmerizing was the fact that people play with two hands…doing different things simultaneously. A coordination I could not fathom. 

I dabbled in music over the years. My first foray into music was learning to DJ Hip Hop at a friend’s basement. I was not really good at it but enjoyed it nonetheless. I went on to write hip hop songs. I recorded some tracks but never pursued a career in music. I never wanted to become famous. Despite having some connections in the music industry, I decided not to go professional.  

Many years later, I started learning to DJ again. This time around, my focus was on House music. I began building a collection of House music tracks in 2016. I have made some incredible mix sets which I have yet to publish.   

You can see a pattern emerging. I am afraid of publicity and fame. To become famous is actually a nightmare of mine. I prefer to remain anonymous and enjoy music for my own pleasure. 

My journey to the piano has led me to the wonderful world of classical music. I find myself drawn to the Romantic era. The complexity and emotion put into music from that era resonates deeply with me.  

Pieces such as Rachmaninoff’s Trio Elégiaque No. 1 in G Minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello make me experience a range of powerful emotions. I feel sadness, despair, hope, triumph, and victory while listening to this piece. Other pieces nearly bring tears to my eyes before leaving me feeling accomplished and at peace.  

There is a lot of power in classical music. It can elicit the full range of human emotions and transport the listener to another realm. I sincerely look forward to this journey with you all, wherever the music leads me. My soul has found a new home.