In another life, I was a singer. I played the piano. Much of my life in my growing up years had to do with music. I sang in school choirs, in church choirs, in special vocal ensembles. My love of music and theater merged in Musical Theater and I sang my heart out onstage over and over. I sang in weddings; more than I can count. I was fortunate enough to go through a public school system that had wonderful music programs (as well as drama.) My parents often had music playing. I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra and The Original Cast of South Pacific and Judy Garland. So I was around music in some way, shape or form all the time, even if it was being made to sit down at the piano and practice.
There is a power in music that can touch my very soul. I distinctly remember a time when I obsessed about a piece of music, absolutely sure I had heard it somewhere. I was only 10. But I’d never heard it at home, in the classroom, on the radio. It was Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor. Mrs. Drake, my piano teacher had assigned it to me. I knew it somehow, recognized it as something already deeply familiar to me. I’ve had that same feeling with Rachmaninoff. As sure as I knew my name, I knew those pieces. Like the time I stood in the bathroom as a little girl and told my mother I knew her before I was born. I knew that to be true, as sure as I was standing there.
My musical tastes are eclectic. Jazz, Big Band, Folk, Motown (my hometown), Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Broadway Musicals, American Popular Song, Classical….the list goes on. If I hear something new to me that I can’t get out of my mind, I will research it until I find it on CD or some other form. I spent endless hours in my room listening to music as a young adult. Then I would do research. There’s not a lot I don’t know about the history of the Broadway Musical. Or the history of American Popular Song. My favorite thing to do was to go to the record store and buy a new album. I’ve always had a secret desire to have my own radio show where I could play all the many types of music that I love and tell the story behind each piece.
I remember the first time I heard “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” I was in elementary school and I had never heard anything like it before. That sound. I heard it coming from the radio that sat on our corner table and I was transfixed. Same thing when I heard “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot. His sound, those words…they touched me in a profound way. I developed a love for folk music in high school and saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert, as well as Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell. Where was I the night Nixon resigned? At a Joni Mitchell concert. She announced the news from the stage. And in those days when I knew how to get backstage at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, I was lucky enough to meet Gordon Lightfoot and Judy Collins. Now I’d be taken for a stalker.
During my last year in college I always had rehearsals late into the night so I would take an afternoon nap. I’d shut the blinds, put on Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and off to dreamland I would go. To this day when I hear that beautiful music, I think of those long-ago afternoons. A simpler time.
Rhapsody in Blue, any Gershwin song, Bernstein, Sondheim (I could write a book on my love for Sondheim), Frank Sinatra singing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – I can’t get enough of that music. Barbara Cook singing anything. She brings me to tears. Earth, Wind and Fire – they fill me with joy. The end of Stravinsky’s Firebird. I don’t think I’ve heard anything more powerful and resplendent.
I’ve always had such an emotional response to music. Don and I went to Tanglewood one summer. It’s such a beautiful outdoor setting in which to hear music. I sat there listening to the Boston Symphony in that gorgeous setting and cried. The experience was transcendent. I’ve had many such experiences, have you? I think music can touch a place deep within – it can unlock all those emotions we keep a lid on, the feelings we have denied because we have to in order to get through daily life. Music can sneak its way in to that hidden place and free us.
Years ago, a few months after my brother’s untimely death, I traveled from Boston to Philadelphia to visit my close friend Joe. Joe is a very talented organist. As I sat in his church and heard the opening notes come out of that gorgeous instrument, I started to cry. And I couldn’t stop. I cried, quietly, through the whole service. Healing had begun.
Joni Mitchell recently recorded a new version of “Both Sides Now.” Now her voice is deeper, more smoky, more knowing. The arrangement is haunting. When I heard it for the first time, I was profoundly moved. There is a lifetime of living between that first version recorded as a young adult and this new one. A lifetime of happiness, pain and sorrow. And it all comes out in her voice, her lyrics, sung at this time in her life. Music performed from the heart at a specific moment in time can do that.
Lately, I’ve been playing Pat Metheny over and over: his piece “Last Train Home.” It is so hauntingly beautiful that I cannot stop listening to it. Yes, I get obsessive. But when a piece of music effects me so deeply – whether it makes me want to dance, or sing along, or just immerse myself in its beauty – I have no choice.
I don’t sing publicly anymore, just around the house. The last time I sang in public was at my niece’s wedding. I wanted to turn down her request because I was rusty, but all I could hear was my late brother’s voice in my head saying “What the…? What do you mean, you’re not going to sing?” So I did.
I don’t know of anything else that can move me so profoundly as music. Interestingly, as I get older, I also like silence. And I think that is why music seems to be even more powerful lately. If music is on all the time, it loses its power. When it comes out of silence…then it resonates.
So I’ve been thinking about music a lot lately. And I find that when I can’t get an idea out of my mind, I need to write about it. I’d love to hear about what moves you. Has a piece of music changed your life? What are your favorites? Please share – I’d love to read about your experiences.
Hi Claudia,
What a beautiful post and you are a woman of many talents…I would love to hear you sing!
I adore music of all kinds and often when I hear a song I haven’t heard in a while, it will transport me back to a time in my life…I like that!
I’ve been into French music lately…can’t understand a word they’re saying but I still enjoy it. My favorite is Edith Piaf…she’s fabulous!
Have a fabulous week!
xoxo
Karyn
Claudia, this is a wonderful and passionate post. Your love for music comes pouring out. I love the idea of you having a radio show, I think you would be so interesting to listen to and the music would be excellent.
Unfortunately, I’m not very educated when it comes to music. I know that sounds weird. There are songs that I love and I enjoy listening to it, but I’m terrible with names and the types of music out there. The passion that you feel about music is what I feel about words and authors.
Having said that, lately I’ve been listening to Pandora Radio, a sort of “build your own radio station” online. I like that the names of the songs and the artist are always listed, sometimes even the lyrics, so I’m learning a lot!
Very thought provoking post, I enjoyed it.
I JUST bought a new CD today… Sara Bareilles’ Kaleidoscope Heart. I love the old music too… it always pulls at my heart strings and brings up emotion in some instances. But this new stuff by Sara is pretty dang good too. I was singing it in the truck on the way home even though I had no clue what the words were. Maybe I will post the video I took… or maybe not… HA!
Di
hi claudia,
well here you go again…
i love this post.
music saved my life. i’m not kidding.
~janet
I loved this post! I too am passionate about music and have made sure my kids go to schools that promote music. They both also learn the piano and a string instrument.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and thanks also for the recommendations too. I will go and see if I can find that Joni Mitchel song on youtube.
Best wishes,
Natasha.
“She who sings prays twice.”
Someone gave me a poster with that saying on it when I was in high school, and seriously singing. Not entirely sure what it means, but I never forgot it.
I also did more weddings than I can count, but a couple of years ago handed the reins of public singing over to my daughter Anne who is an amazing mezzo — her voice has taken her halfway around the world for singing engagements.
Music filled my house growing up — my Mother, also a mezzo (runs in the family!) was smart enough to give birth to a baritone, a tenor, an alto and a soprano. We sang and harmonized during chores, in the car, sitting on the beach at night — my poor dad is among the singing impaired but he liked listening!
I am not sure what happened to my upper register, but I lost it somewhere and I really miss it! Passing 50 stinks.
Lovely post; music is magic.
Cass
I love music too. How wonderful that you sing & play the piano. Those are truly gifts from heaven. I’ll do you a favor and not sing….maybe happy birthday but that’s it. I’ll keep my day job!
Hi Claudia,
A terrific post and I love your passion for music.
It sounds cliche, but music is the soundtrack of your life. Certain pieces evoke specific memories.
My most stirring music moment was the morning my mother died. I had been at the hospital until very late the night before and went home to sleep a few hours. She was resting comfortably, but the end was very close. The nurses made me leave to rest and promised to call me if things seemed to be progressing. For some reason I awoke about 5am and knew I had to go to the hospital. I got in my car and in the CD player was the soundtrack to the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou”. The song that came on when I started the car was “I’ll Fly Away”. I listened to it all the way to the hospital on repeat. I just FELT that I was being told that everything was going to be okay and that my mother was in good hands. I entered her hospital room and walked over to her bed. I said, “Good morning mom”. She didn’t awaken, but took a deep breath and then didn’t take another. It was the most profound moment of my life. My mother had passed peacefully as we all had prayed she would after a long painful battle. That song stayed with me for the next few days and I always felt that it was God’s way of letting me know that my mother was going to okay and would finally be going “home”. I’m not a religious person, but I believe in God. That day I felt God. Thats my music story. Sorry if it was a little heavy-handed, but I appreciate being able to recount it again after eight years. Ann
Such a beautiful post Claudia. I could feel your love for music in every word.
I have a profound love of music in almost every form. Nothing can move me as deeply as music, whether it’s vocal or instramental. I love to sing at the top of my voice when I am alone in the car on my way to anywhere.
What a wonderful read this was for me.
hugs
Hello Dear Claudia,
Your passion and love for music resonates through you quite naturally. Your words flow easily and I could feel your excitement and joy as you wrote this beautiful post.
Thank you for sharing this side of your lovely personality.
hugs
Sissie
Oh Claudia, I loved this post. I’ve also been very touched by all the comments you’ve recieved. It’s amazing how powerful music is in everyone’s life~ in some way or another.
Growing up I studied piano~ all Classical, and yes- church hymns also. (Because it was a “church girl’s” duty to learn those hymns.) Ol’ Mrs.Sutton would have non of that new-fangled stuff in her lessons. As a teenager, I didn’t appreciate what she was trying to teach me, even though I could feel that she was very passionate about it. Now, as an adult I wish that I had a piano in my home. However, I had to pass up on a beautiful upright due to little house space issues.
When I visit my parents, I sometimes sit down and play the piano– my favorite piano- the one I played growing up. It’s so funny, because every time I open that music and my fingers find the keys– I’m astounded that I can play the piano… and Classical, at that. I’m like, “Dang! I’m playing the piano!” I may not play perfectly, but it makes me so happy!
As an adult, I ran into Mrs.Sutton after years of not seeing her. She asked me if I still played. I told her that I do, but I never play for anyone but myself. She smiled and asked if I enjoy it. I told her that I loved it. Her face lit up and she said, “As long as it brings you joy, that’s all that matters.” I loved that.
Hugs,
Jill
PS: Marc Cohn’s music really moves me… ie: True Companion, Walking in Memphis. I love to blast it in the car. He’s a piano man :)
Claudia,
I can’t sing a note or carry a tune, but I do like music. The oldies are the best. You should try out for 90 Miles off Broadway. You would do fine!! Really, follow your heart. Ty for sharing your love of Music. Beautiful post. Hugs, Liz
Your post so resonates with me. In the hardest of times and even the best times of my life, There is music I associate with those moments. Listening to that music ecan bring me back to that moment, as clear as the moment it happened. I come by my love of music quite naturally, like breathing. My mother plays multiple instraments and has sense the age of 4. Her father and his family were court musicians for the king of Amsterdam. I toohave performed on a small level, but somehow I never wanted music to be my way of making a living. I never wanted some other intity to dictate when and what music i would perform.
Thank you , I truly enjoyed your post today.
cyn
Claudia, what a lovely post, you can hear the music in your heart……how I wish I could sing or play an instrument…I love music and songs in Italian, French Russian….love Ivan Rebroff (he can sing 4 octaves, incredible). I love the cello and the violin, my grandchildren play, my son can play the piano and the guitar, I love almost all music, love children’s voices in a choir…….the other day when Marie Osmond sang Pie Jesu for her son that passed away, I wept like a baby!!
There is something about music that reaches into me and touches my soul….kind of hard to explain but even the right music in a commercial can make me tear up!!! Since my Mom and my sister passed away music has become even more important to me…my sister loved Elvis, my Mom loved everything…..my children loved to be in musical theatre. I guess maybe I relate to stages in my life by what music I am listening to!! I love this post that you wrote, it is a passion for you and I am happy that shared it with us!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
We are more alike than I realized. THAT is a profound discovery, dear Claudia.
Beautiful Post. I want to talk to you about all you’ve written in this latest offering from Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
Love from Sunland, where it never rains… it pours.
xo
There is magic in music. It bypasses our logical brains and goes straight to our spirits. Magic.
I love an eclectic mix too…same as yours. My favorites right now are Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, and my son’s band The Wooden Satellites. VERY eccletic!
I miss singing and playing my guitar. I think this winter I’ll get reaquainted with both.
Wonderful post….
Hi Claudia…how ironic your post is to me. It seems here I am in my late 40’s and am now forming a whole new appreciation for music. It sort of began this summer when I read “The Spanish Bow”…a wonderful book that introduced me to the cello. Lately my household has become enamoured with the movie “August Rush”, we play it over and over!!…music is so moving and powerful, I’m appreciating it so much more these days and often will play classical music while I paint in my studio, a little ‘rebirth’ for me:)
Wonderful post!
Claudia, we are on
the same wavelength;
my post on Friday was
about the power of music
to transport us back
in time or to enliven
our mood! And I love
it all, as well; classical,
country, folk, rock,
Broadway, celtic…..it
all speaks to my heart.
I played classical guitar
in my younger years {instead
of dancing!} and I need to
get it tuned up and play
with it again. Lovely post.
xx Suzanne
I do love your post Claudia and I too love music. I do not have your amazing memory and connection. But I do agree, it is a very profound thing to be touched by music.
I have had many moments of being transported by music. I too feel that music has answered my questions and guided me.
When I was in the process of giving birth to my daughter, who’s name was going to be Bethany, I heard over and over the song “Sarah”. It took me days to give in and name her Sarah, but that song wouldn’t go away until I did! My daughter now says she would have never liked the name Bethany.
I found it interesting that you KNEW those music pieces…and knew your mother before. I too remember before I was born. Not many people mention that…sounds kooky, but it is true for me.
Also, I grew up in Detroit! I didn’t know it was your home town too!
Thank you for expressing so passionately your love of music.
Hugs,
Terri
great post , claudia…
i LOVE music too…have played the piano since i was a child…have a piano here at Farmhouse too…
been playing Christmas music since summer
i just LOVE it…love Silent Night..still…one of my favorites…
sending love today, my friend
kary and teddy
xxx
What beautiful post. Music is such an important part of our lives. Too bad many of the schools are eliminating their programs in elementary school.
Claudia you have said exactly how I feel about music. My mother was a beautiful singer and sang professionally before I was born. I think her love of music transferred into the womb as I was growing. I never know artists or words or soundtracks but I so love all music and it truly does transform my life and ease whatever is happening at the time. Thank you for this post and I would say never stop singing as it is your gift from above. I do not sing but my daughter has a beautiful voice…and she knows lots of songs and all the words even before her time. Amazing…Yes the power of music!!!
I have always loved Both Sides Now. Isn’t she wonderful? I can’t wait to hear this new version.
Brenda
HI CLAUDIA,
FANTASTIC POST, SO ENJOYABLE. I LOVE MUSIC TOO. WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD I WOULD GO TO THE TERRACE ROOM IN NEWARK, NJ AND LISTEN TO COUNTRY WESTERN, FARON YOUNG, WEBB PEARCE, AND JOHNNY CASH, HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH JOHNNY CASH, IT’S ON MY BLOG.
I GREW UP WITH OLD BLUE EYES, HE WAS GREAT, THERE WERE SO MANY MORE. I SAW YANNI IN CONCERT, VERY ENJOYABLE. HOPE RILEY IS FEELING OK.
HAVE A NICE DAY,RIZZI
Hey Girlfriend,
You and I have so much in common….it’s spooky sometimes. I read your post as if I had written it, and I could have almost word for word. One of my all time favorites though is Rachmaninoff. I can’t remember the song title for the life of me, but it was in a time travel movie with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymore……I could listen to it forever. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, I really love learning about you.
Hugs,
Meri
Oh! You don’t know how your post speaks to me. Music has brought me through some horrible times in my life. While going through my divorce, I would play opera loud and cry and cry. The one gift my ex gave my children was his musical talent and they are all gifted musicians. My youngest is in a band that is getting a lot of recognition lately and is a talented song writer and singer on his own. I am a strong believer in the healing power of music!!
Claudia, you certainly have some kindred spirits when it comes to loving music!
Of course The Beatles were the soundtrack to my tween and teen years. They instantly transport me back to the 60’s. (I also love Simon and Garfunkel’s music from that era).
Harry Chapin. Love him. His songs are like little stories set to music. Tangled Up Puppet reminds me so much of my sweet Court that I can hardly ever listen to it without tearing up a bit. Taxi. Old College Avenue… too many favorites to mention.
Joni Mitchell. Love her. I think the first time I heard the later version of Both Sides Now was when I saw Love Actually (of course I immediately bought the soundtrack).
Music like Danny Elfman’s Ice Dance (from Edward Scissorhands) and Promise (Family Man) transport me to a place where I could live happily ever after.
I have a Playlist of umpteen versions of Hallelujah from Leonard Cohen to Jeff Buckley to k.d. lang and everyone in between that I enjoy playing from time to time.
I can remember me driving to work in the 70’s, singing along at the top of my lungs to American Pie, Horse with No Name, and the likes. I pity anyone within hearing distance because I cannot carry a tune! haha
Oh gosh, I could just go on and on so I’ll stop here. Loved this post!
P.S. Why don’t you and Don do some duets and post them on You Tube for all of us :) … Donna
Music definitely moves me! I rarely have music on. I like to listen to the sound of the silence as Simon and Garfunkel sang. I enjoy my own company. I love most kinds of music but don’t consider the rap music at all. I love opera, honey. It just awakens the feeling of love in me.
I understand about not being able to remember a song also. Just a few weeks ago a song I jazzercized to wouldn’t quite appear to me and I knew there was a song I loved so much. Long story made short, it was Pink Cadillac by Bruce Springsteen. I just loved the beat to exercise to. I’m not a huge fan of modern music though. I loved Dionne Warwick at a certain phase of my life, Credence Clearwater Revival in another phase of my life and Pachelbel in another phase. I think it’s the age that determines what I love most, but you’ll find some of my favorites on my blog Pages. Quite a unique mix I have on my iTunes, sweetpea.
Hope you’re feeling better from your fall.
xoxo,
Connie