Saturday, July 4, 2009

Arron Copland's Appelachian Spring

Why do I ball, every time I hear this wonderful composition? I think for me, it's because it represents dreams that I know deep down inside, will never be fulfilled.

Melissa

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know why it affects you that way except to say that God has given certain people incredible musical talents...talents that can reach inside our souls and play our heart strings at will.

I get the same emotional rush every time I hear this second movement of Rachmaninoff's second concerto. I went to sleep to it for years. I seldom heard it all the way through though.

Sometimes it seems that music compounds whatever emotional state we're in when we hear that special piece. If I listen to this Adagio when I'm sad, it tears me up. If I listen to it when I'm just contemplative, it relaxes me and gives me great joy. If you're not familiar with it, give it a listen...it's two parts on UTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llveGVApdz4&feature=PlayList&p=CE66C047A3F480CF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

Hugs,
Suzi

Melissa said...

Hi Suzi!

I tried to listen to the Rachmaninoff piece, but unfortunately my slow connection was not cooperating. Usually when I want to watch a youtube video, I just let it take its time loading in, then I play it back once it's loaded, but the videos you linked would not do that. As soon as one finished loading, it would immediately go to the next one, so I couldn't replay them. I can't get a cable connection where I live, so I use a wireless connect card. It's not very fast, but it still beats the heck out of dial up.

Yes, music can definitely tug at your heart strings, depending on your mood. I'm a Vietnam veteran and I thought I was immune to melancholy over that war, but when I went to the theater to see Oliver Stone's Platoon, the combination of Samuel Barber's somber Adgio For Strings and the realism that Stone was able to convey, really got to me. It was all I could do to hold back my tears in the theater, and as soon as I got into my truck for the drive home, I broke down and the flood gates opened up. The people getting into their cars around me, probably thought I was nuts. ;)

Melissa

Anonymous said...

Sorry you couldn't get it to work. The piece was part of the whole Concerto and it played automatically for me. I guess UTube only allows a certain length per video and it takes several to cover a longer classical piece.

Wow! It took guts for you to even go see that picture after having been there for the real thing. I didn't have to go to Vietnam and it was still a disturbing film for me. What a fiasco that whole situation was. All war is hell, but when politicians don't "play to win", it's double hell for those caught in the middle. BTW...Thanks for your service. You did your part to keep this nation Independent. Hugs, Suzi

Kay & Sarah said...

Melissa, maybe your dreams won't come true as you believe; however they might come to fruition in some other form.

I have only discovered your blog with your courageous telling of your outings. I transitioned in my late 50's and am a Vietnam Vet. Am also retired from the Army in 93 and haven't looked back. Have gotten great medical care by local doctors and the VA. I saw the Vietnam Memorial as the traveling exhibit twice and have had to leave the area because I broke down crying.

I am stunned by your picture, great beauty; it leads me to believe that you should be able to move around without much trouble.
You go have fun, girl!!!