I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling fingertips,
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips,
With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow.
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low,
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead,
A song to fall like water on my head,
And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow!
There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.
Elizabeth Bishop
music by Alva Henderson -- soprano, Melanie Emelio -- piano, Louise Lofquist
All things shall perish
From under the sky.
Music alone shall live (3X)
Never to die.
As I reflect upon the times through my formative years spent with music, listening to it, but mostly making it, I find that my music memories are precious, hearty and healing.
Dear reader, if you see the following as not corresponding with what you see in the real world, I would love to hear that -- for once -- I'm being pessimistic. My sense is that children and young people in general spend less time singing or playing an instrument, either alone or with others, than either my generation (I'm turning 64 in May.) or even their parents' generation.
If my observation is correct, seeing as my memories from pre-school well into my twenties are loaded with music experiences, I'm wondering what these young people are doing with their time when they're not singing together or moving across the floor to music or playing an instrument? If the answer were "socializing with friends and family" I'd be thrilled. Most likely, I say with heavy heart, that instead of making music, they are staring at a screen, whether it's homework or TV or video games.
please consider the above Part I of this post. my writing has been interrupted. check back, please.