This is really good. I checked out a chunk of the symphony, and it’s achingly beautiful. I need to hear more of it, and I’m eager to read more of your pieces here.
For what it’s worth: I’m passionate about classical music. I learned a lot about it in music history classes in college, and played it (poorly) when I got a music education degree.
But it’s always hard to find time to listen to it and study it. Even though I have an insane collection of it, I don’t find much time to sit and just appreciate it. So your essays are interesting, helpful, and often quite moving. I’m glad you’re writing these pieces! You make me think I should write about the music a little bit myself some time.
I'm so glad you shared your perspective, Karl. And thank you for the kind words about my essays here!
You've tapped into the heart of why I created Shades of Blue and the strategy behind the storytelling. So many people are turned off from classical music because they think they have to "know" so much about it to enjoy listening to it.
But I see another avenue available — just taking the time to experience the music. Listen to it, sit with it, get to know the human stories behind it, chart the emotions it brings up, and feel those sensations as your body absorbs the sounds. Approaching classical music as a somatic experience, rather than an intellectual one where one needs to know what sonata form and second inversions are, can transform one's connection with the music so much.
Which is all to say I'm glad your time here is inspiring you to engage with this music — and even write about it yourself!
Oh, yeah. And I did learn all that shit in school, and I’m interested in all that, as a writer of music. But that’s not what the experience is supposed to be. That symphony is ravishing; they didn’t teach me that in school.
And I “took the time” to experience some of the 2nd symphony last night, and I’m realizing now that I’ve always liked Tchaikovsky, but never spent any real time with him. Even five minutes pays off.
Yes! Love the Second Symphony. So often ignored by programmers, though that's been changing lately, with more orchestras performing it for its roots to Ukrainian culture and folk song. I've found Tchaikovsky to be so ubiquitous on orchestral programs that he sometimes falls off my radar of regular listening at home, but when I reconnect with a work I haven't heard of his in a few weeks or months, body and mind go all tingly with delight.
If you're looking for another portal into his work, I recommend curling up with the Violin Concerto.
Goosebumps from the 2nd movement’s trembling quiver minute 8 onward!! Even in his first symphony here, Tchaikovsky nails the hushed twinkle swelling into heart pounding drama in mere moments (like my personal favorite from Nutcracker “Pas de deux”). The world just feels so much smaller knowing he struggled through this, and yet had a compassionate companion there to lure, um, ground him with simple creature comforts. An ordinary soul destined to give us extraordinary gifts.
And speaking of gifts, thank you for another outstanding journey! I’m officially hooked to this weekend ritual!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this musical journey to Valaam!
Isn't that climax just the best? I love the way Tchaikovsky can make one melody express so many different emotions without changing a single note, just tweaking the instrumentation, volume, or color. The rush of it all is downright dizzying!
"An ordinary soul destined to give us extraordinary gifts." This summation means everything to me. So often composers are treated like divine gods, when really, they're just humans with a craft. No different from you or I. I hope each of the stories I publish here showcases that humanity.
And thank you for becoming my first paid subscriber! It warms my heart so much that you look forward to these, and I can't tell you the jolt of courage and confidence it gives me as I begin work on the next installment. ❤️ I don't take this support for granted at all.
“… they're just humans with a craft.”Exactly!! I think if we remind ourselves of this more often, we’d be much better off. And are beyond welcome, Michael!! 🥰 It’s my modern day equivalent of providing blackcurrent jam on toast, ha!!
This is really good. I checked out a chunk of the symphony, and it’s achingly beautiful. I need to hear more of it, and I’m eager to read more of your pieces here.
Thanks for reading, Karl! Achingly beautiful, indeed. 😭
For what it’s worth: I’m passionate about classical music. I learned a lot about it in music history classes in college, and played it (poorly) when I got a music education degree.
But it’s always hard to find time to listen to it and study it. Even though I have an insane collection of it, I don’t find much time to sit and just appreciate it. So your essays are interesting, helpful, and often quite moving. I’m glad you’re writing these pieces! You make me think I should write about the music a little bit myself some time.
I'm so glad you shared your perspective, Karl. And thank you for the kind words about my essays here!
You've tapped into the heart of why I created Shades of Blue and the strategy behind the storytelling. So many people are turned off from classical music because they think they have to "know" so much about it to enjoy listening to it.
But I see another avenue available — just taking the time to experience the music. Listen to it, sit with it, get to know the human stories behind it, chart the emotions it brings up, and feel those sensations as your body absorbs the sounds. Approaching classical music as a somatic experience, rather than an intellectual one where one needs to know what sonata form and second inversions are, can transform one's connection with the music so much.
Which is all to say I'm glad your time here is inspiring you to engage with this music — and even write about it yourself!
Oh, yeah. And I did learn all that shit in school, and I’m interested in all that, as a writer of music. But that’s not what the experience is supposed to be. That symphony is ravishing; they didn’t teach me that in school.
And I “took the time” to experience some of the 2nd symphony last night, and I’m realizing now that I’ve always liked Tchaikovsky, but never spent any real time with him. Even five minutes pays off.
Yes! Love the Second Symphony. So often ignored by programmers, though that's been changing lately, with more orchestras performing it for its roots to Ukrainian culture and folk song. I've found Tchaikovsky to be so ubiquitous on orchestral programs that he sometimes falls off my radar of regular listening at home, but when I reconnect with a work I haven't heard of his in a few weeks or months, body and mind go all tingly with delight.
If you're looking for another portal into his work, I recommend curling up with the Violin Concerto.
Goosebumps from the 2nd movement’s trembling quiver minute 8 onward!! Even in his first symphony here, Tchaikovsky nails the hushed twinkle swelling into heart pounding drama in mere moments (like my personal favorite from Nutcracker “Pas de deux”). The world just feels so much smaller knowing he struggled through this, and yet had a compassionate companion there to lure, um, ground him with simple creature comforts. An ordinary soul destined to give us extraordinary gifts.
And speaking of gifts, thank you for another outstanding journey! I’m officially hooked to this weekend ritual!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this musical journey to Valaam!
Isn't that climax just the best? I love the way Tchaikovsky can make one melody express so many different emotions without changing a single note, just tweaking the instrumentation, volume, or color. The rush of it all is downright dizzying!
"An ordinary soul destined to give us extraordinary gifts." This summation means everything to me. So often composers are treated like divine gods, when really, they're just humans with a craft. No different from you or I. I hope each of the stories I publish here showcases that humanity.
And thank you for becoming my first paid subscriber! It warms my heart so much that you look forward to these, and I can't tell you the jolt of courage and confidence it gives me as I begin work on the next installment. ❤️ I don't take this support for granted at all.
“… they're just humans with a craft.”Exactly!! I think if we remind ourselves of this more often, we’d be much better off. And are beyond welcome, Michael!! 🥰 It’s my modern day equivalent of providing blackcurrent jam on toast, ha!!
Yes, this calls for a new jar of jam and some crunchy sourdough!
[*Scrambles to adds to grocery list for tonight*]