Classical Music
Tue., October 22, 05:21 PM
I’ve written about “my music” – meaning popular or contemporary music – but I learned classical music too. While my dad sang the “fun songs,” my mother saw to our classical music education. She knew that she loved listening to opera and symphonic music, but she had no formal instruction in it, so she wanted us to learn it. We children went to something called Music Workshop, where we listened to music, played rhythm instruments, and also studied modern dance. I was one of the best rhythm band conductors, just as – many years later – M.D. was one of the best kindergarten conductors. Conducting must be in the blood, right?
When I was nine or ten, I began violin lessons. (We did have a fiddle, given to my grandmother in payment of an overdue grocery bill.) Lessons were provided in public school, but I soon progressed to private lessons. This turned out to be an especially good experience for me, because my teacher understood adolescents even better than she understood music – and she was a fine musician. She guided me to music groups and appreciation as well as through scales and exercises, with a little psychology thrown in. I was a fair to middling violinist, but I absolutely enjoyed the music. Even practicing scales has a special appeal, as you learn the mathematics of it…
Classical music was part of some the best times of my young life. I was part of my school orchestras, of course. However, there were also several excellent symphony orchestras for young people in our town, and I played in two of them. Chamber music was fun too, but it was harder because each instrument has to hold its own; in an orchestra, you have comrades to support you. I was watching the Boston Pops the other night and realized how much I miss playing with a symphony orchestra. I wasn’t even that good at it; I just enjoyed being there. It was a social as well as an educational experience.
For a few years I was a classical snob – I really don’t remember why – so I paid very little attention to what was going on in the popular mode. Then I got into popular music and didn’t listen to classical stuff as much. I couldn’t sing classical music, and I needed to carry both music and instrument with me. (Well, we used to sing some things, like “This is the symphony that Mr. Schubert never finished,” to remind ourselves of the melodies.) I have found that classical music – like dance – is more fun to participate in than to watch or listen. It’s going on all around you. I remember sitting quietly with the rest of the orchestra on stage while the choir sang a capella; our high school had a wonderful choir with a state-wide reputation. What a thrilling experience!
Though I may prefer pop music – even rock – I can still turn on National Public Radio and enjoy what’s playing. Why is that important? Some people don’t like popular music. I don’t have to irritate them. A little flexibility goes a long way toward getting along with people.
