LOUD AND CLEAR

August 28, 2024

LOUD AND CLEAR

"Delivering an uncomfortable truth, I am convinced, it is far more effective when is done loud and clear through music."

Hello Everyone,

IN CONSTANT CHANGE

Music is, as everything in the world, in constant change, gradually moving forward; these changes in music are directly proportional to the way we live. That is why, we perceived music in a very different way than, for instance, people did in the 18th or 19th centuries.

Music from previous centuries, this“old” music_ as one of my student refers to _ surprisingly, it’s been played in movies and TV commercials many times. To give you an example, the very first time I hear Burgmuller’s music was in the movie: Beauty Shop, starring Queen Latifah. Etude No2 Arabesque in A minor was played in one of the scenes from this movie. It caught my attention immediately.

I did some research, and I found out that his work of 25 Progressive Etudes had been considered to be a central component of elementary exercises for many generations. Because of their mature sound, I was baffled by the fact that they were written to introduce children to piano music, thus, giving us a general idea of the different perception people had concerning music, and the seriousness of the piano education available before the 20th century.

FROM FAR AND WIDE

Music can tell us, loud and clear, about the composer, but also music has a way to be the mirror image of society and entire cultures around the world, and when it manages to make a difference in peoples lives, it does screams even louder. There is no other form of art that has a tighter grasp on people and the great power to unified them from far and wide.

In todays world, thanks to the technology available at our finger tips, we can enjoy full concerts of new and old music. Suddenly, the accessibility to the music being publish is almost instantaneous and the world has become a smaller place because of it.

Music has the power to criticize, contradict, insult, change, confront and yet, we are more willing to forgive and accept the message, thus, music can do sometimes, what words cannot. Music, at the same time has the power to inspire, heal, soothe, provide comfort, and surprisingly, we respond equally passionate to the message.

LOUDER THAN PLAIN WORDS

I have made a small list of music that I can think at the top of my head that had changed the way I see the world, they'd made me think and question what it's been established, they had stimulated my curiosity. These songs and works of music had spoken to me, louder than plain words about the lament of death, government lies, love, lost, religion control, and even world history.

Act of contrition by Madonna
Heroes de la Antartida by Mecano
The four seasons by Vivaldi
Unravel by Bjork
Famine by Sinead O'Connor

Yes, through music, composers have made bold statements to reflect social and political upheaval, sexual revolution, injustices, statements made about personal ideas etc. Music open our eyes to the world in a way words and actions cannot. The use of new technology modifies the way music is made, forcing us to die or adapt. In short, music can, and will change opinions on any subject to the very core, affecting the center of our deepest emotions.

LISTEN AND DISCOVER

Whichever the case, and going back to Burgmuller's music Etudes, they are beautiful, comfortable to play, full of great ideas. Today, with this post, I am presenting a piano/cello piece with a snippet of Etude number 1, Opus 100. I'd borrowed the opening measures and included in the piano part.

Whenever you have the opportunity, I'd encourage you to listen to the music of Burgmuller's. specifically Opus 100. Each of the exercises there, delivers a specific message, even though, they are only an educational tool. I invite you to listen and discover, if you haven't done so already, maybe one of the Etudes will speak to you in a way that plain words cannot.

Thanks for reading!

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