Merry Christmas!
About two weeks ago, in the spirit of Christmas and the holidays, I was given a ticket to see “The Nutcracker” performed in concert (not the full staged ballet, just the score played live) performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic with conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Now I knew the score somewhat, and I knew it was wonderful. But I don’t think I was prepared for the amazing music I heard that night.
Not only was the performance flawless, but it also was so full of meaning, I wasn’t just listening to high and low notes, pleasant melodies and harmonies, and evocative combination of timbres. I was listening to full, complete reality of emotion that set itself into my heart with the first notes and took it on a journey of wonder, surprise, joy, threat, danger, courage, excitement, enchantment, sweetness, satisfaction. It was such joy listening to that music! This experience is why we enjoy the arts!
Yet again my question remains – how is music, or any other art, capable of doing this – creating this experience? What are “the mechanics” – for lack of a better term – that make sound waves and my internal psychological precesses (or simply put, my heart) work together to create that experience? I have some ideas – I must really start writing regularly. Because that’s what this blog is about. So come back for some answers soon!
Art and the Invisible 