‽istis wonders: music (weekending April 9th 2022)
In a week when the shape of your arrangement of 12 notes is contested and a copyright challenge is decided (1), when Andriy Khlyvnyuk, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Guy Pratt and Nitin Sawhney rise up to collaborate on a song (2), ‽istis wonders - while listening to Mousse Radio (3) - at, and about, ‘music’:
‽ ‘vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony; the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity’ (4)
‽ “Music — what a powerful instrument, what a mighty weapon!” – Maria August von Trapp (…and the following quotations: 5)
‽ “Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
‽ “You have to take a deep breath. and allow the music to flow through you. Revel in it, allow yourself to awe. When you play allow the music to break your heart with its beauty.” – Kelly White
‽ “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” – Maya Angelou
‽ “How is it that music can, without words, evoke our laughter, our fears, our highest aspirations?” Jane Swan
‽ “Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” – Emory Austin
‽ Music is the tool to express life – and all that makes a difference.” Herbie Hancock
‽ “Wake up, live your life and sing the melody of your soul.” – Amit Ray
Close to home, the cautious writing of a song is attempted (a sort of ‘chant’ for four voice parts, some ‘airy whistling’ and with lines of melody and harmony that have perhaps not obviously, possibly miraculously, maybe unwittingly been arranged quite like this before). A song for the spirit, for the soul, for a group of people, for those who may be flound’ring not waving, for the memory of tragedy, for those seeking safe haven…
Safe haven, a port in a storm, shelter near. Safe haven, a port in a storm, shelter here?
Safe haven, a port in a storm, shelter here. Safe haven, a port in a storm, shelter near?
So rough we are flound’ring. So calm, we are waving. In a boat we’ve not chosen. Seek a port, seek a port.
Harbour lights. Red and Green. Shining clear. Calming fear?
And ‽istis ponders that perhaps, possibly, maybe words alone might not always be enough...‽
© Pistis
NB: further reflections and comments linked to this week’s theme and past blog
entries to be found on Twitter: replies, retweets (which don’t necessarily indicate approval, sometimes the very opposite!) and ‘likes’: @Pistis_wonders. ‘Follows’ and respectful comment and dialogue welcome...
References found include: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61006984 ‘There's only so many notes and very few chords used in pop music. Coincidence is bound to happen if 60,000 songs are being released every day on Spotify. That's 22 million songs a year and there's only 12 notes that are available.’
Mousse Radio, broadcasting from Kyiv, found on the Radio Garden App.
https://www.musicnotes.com/now/omg/50-inspirational-quotes-about-music/ and comes across a quotation for future ponderance: “I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.” – John Cage
