10 Comments

Oh Michael, new favorite!!! I’m so grateful (And also a bit blown away by the synchronicity) that I saved this for later this week when my stress levels and commitments died down a bit. After I decided to finally put my work down tonight, I snuggled in my blanket with my warm cup of decaf. From the moment I pressed play I was mesmerized and completely hooked. THEN I read your words and of course it’s like the Universe was talking directly to me through you! “I have passed away from the world's turmoil And rest in a tranquil realm!” 🥹💙 We could all take a page from Mahler’s life storybook. Hustle culture is no place for art now is it? This was like my mini escape to the Alps, complete with chills ❄️ at 5:12 plus the near echo at 6:15! Breathtaking!!

Also I need to set my own little notification for your Notes moments of zen! I’m missing the sweet goodness!!

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Oh Katie, how lovely that this was your first experience with Mahler's transcendent song! I hope it transports you to a quiet, tranquil realm every time. Yes to late-night mini escapes to the Alps!

And I'm glad you've discovered the moment of musical zen series on Notes! I've really been enjoying playing classical DJ over there. 💙

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After listening to today’s, now I HAVE to go back and listen to everything I missed! Like mining for gold!

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Oh, that Janet Baker clip. Just takes you to the point of being a sobbing mess! Marvellous, as was the second clip. I like many genres of music but there is something about the classically trained voice that just makes me marvel at the sound a human being can make. Thanks Michael, another lovely and informative piece. x

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Totally agree, Jules — this song toes that line between reverie and catharsis so well! Although I played clarinet for 20+ years, I can't sing a tune to save my life, so I share in your marveling at a classical singer's talents. My husband is an opera and art song singer, and it just feels alchemical watching him song — astonishing that the human body can produce such beauty and unlimited nuance in tone. 💙💙

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How marvellous. It must be fascinating listening to an expert. Such a gift to be able to sing well. Maybe he could give you some coaching 🤔

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The Weltschmerz is a really interesting concept, especially in this context. Love the way music mixes with poetry here. 🩵🩵

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German romanticism holds such a large space in my heart for many reasons, but chief among them is definitely its forging the concept of Weltschmerz. Such a light bulb moment when I first read of it, as it perfectly captures so much of the way I interpret the world and the melancholy I carry with me. No surprise, then, that Mahler and Schubert are two of my favorite composers! 💙

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I feel this!

People say my fiction carries melancholia, and now I think I understand why. I'm not sad...just thinking about reality/truth/music...all that stuff.

💙

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Exactly! There's such creative potential in those layers of emotion that lie between the world we inhabit and the one we envision.

On a related note, I'm *so* excited to dive into A Hong Kong story over the holidays. (End of the year is crunch time in classical music marketing, meaning I'm very behind in my SS reading.) After enjoying your fabulous non-fiction for months, I can't wait to see what you have in store in your new novel. 💙

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