music

[leelastarsky]

I'm listening to the PoA soundtrack as I type...  and having something of a religious experience over the track which I assume is "Window to the Past"  *swoons*  and "Buckbeak's flight" is close behind. (as far as favourite themes on this soundtrack goes)  John Williams is a god.

 

What is it about music that it can have such a physical effect on you?  It can literally send me into a state of ecstasy.  Or am I just strange like that?  I know it used to affect my grandmother like this too (Strauss and Chopin particularly), so it's obviously a family trait.  I think my 13yo son has it too.  He came to me the other day when I had Riverdance playing, looking confused and concerned, and wanted to know why this music affected him so when other music didn't.  I told him it was his Celtic soul answering the call of the bodhran, but maybe it's more than that?  He loves bagpipes too, and I'll admit (somewhat shamefully) he hasn't had a lot of exposure to those from us. 

 

But what is it about a sweeping violin symphony or a harp that can reduce me to a wibbling puddle in a couple of phrases?

 

On an intellectual level I know it's probably no different to being able to draw, but I cannot for the life of me fathom how composers write music. Especially orchestral composers.  They don't just write one theme of music; they write a track for every instrument.  Do they hear it all in their heads first? 

I guess it's something I'll never comprehend, but I adore what they produce; it is food for the soul.

 

 

Comments

[myf.livejournal.com]

Your son sounds lovely.

I get that with music too, but I suspect somehow that it's not as strong as it might be for other people. I react most to books, they move me beyond belief. It's a wonderful feeling. And a good book feels like meeting an old friend after a long absence.

I think if I listened to more music I would develop more of an appreciation. I'm agape at composers too, but then I'm agape at anyone artistic, being devoid of such a trait. *sigh*

So, did you get PoA soundtrack off the web? I tried to listen but I got a message that the software for Mac wasn't available. *cry* My Mac has let me down. I wonder if there's another way? I'd love to hear it.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got it at the AOL link via HPANA. You can't download it to keep as such, but you can play it for as long as you want, as often as you want. And it is the whole CD. I'm desperate to buy it! I think it's a week or two away...

Yes, my son is rather lovely. Gorgeous in fact. He's the first of my kids to do the 'teen' thing (his older brother has Down syndrome, so he's a bit different) and it is dead-set gorgeous to watch this potential adult blossom. He's swiftly moving from the 'everything is B&W' phase into 'shades of grey'. Thinking conceptually and asking deep and meaningful questions. When he was in grade 6 he decided he wanted to be a pilot in the RAAF and now, in yr8, he is still focussed on this path. Don't ask me where he gets that from; his dad and I are both artistic! Admittedly, I adore flying and wanted to be an astronaut, but as I couldn't count to save my life, that was out of the question. Fortunately, my son is like his dad in that regard and rather brilliant at math, so at least he has that going for him!

[myf.livejournal.com]

*smiles* I'm doing child psych at the moment, and everything you're saying makes a lot of sense to me. I love to watch other people's kids, see how they grow up. My nieces and nephew are just 2 months, 6 months and 2 and a half years, so i have plenty of time to watch and enjoy. And hopefully one day (in the far far off future), kids of my own.

I might try again for that AOL thing.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

I just had to add that I love books too. Reading a book is like a cinematic experience for me.

I'm a dreadful hoarder of them simply because I might want to read it again one day!

I can (and do) read my favourites over and over.

[prozacnation.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean.

When I listen to the SS/PS soundtrack I get engrossed in it.

I don't know if it's because I'm a flute player and I put myself into the part of the instrument I would be playing in the piece.

I've heard people say that John Williams' music is simple, but to a person who has played the music, it means so much more to me. *sigh* I have no clue what I'm trying to say. :)

My favorite piece is the Quidditch match from the First CD. It gives me goose bumps. :)

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I don't think I could call John Williams music simple! But then, I am not ofey in the ways of music as such; I just know what I like. I can usually pick a John Williams score, but that's cos I generally know them all so well and can pick a repeated phrase in a flash. eg: There's a bit in this new one that I know from SW, and another bit that brings Indy to mind. And the end of track 7 on CoS is VERY like Han and Leia's theme from ESB. But I don't mind those; I kind of see them as little in-jokes between the composer and his fans.
Leonard Roseman on the other hand I don't like as much because all his stuff sounds the same.
Jerry Goldsmith is probably my favourite of the soundtrack composers.

And if you're a flute player you are going to LOVE this new one!!! "Window to the Past" is flute!! It makes you want to CRY!

[prozacnation.livejournal.com]

I definitely wouldn't call his music simple. But I've heard it from people who weren't even musicians (singers not players). I mean, I would like them to play some of his music like "The asteroid field" from the ESB. If I was a string player, I think I would fly off the wall in that piece! :D

But his flute parts I love! And his music does make me cry!!!! I can't wait to hear it! I love Christmas at Hogwarts too. :)

I used to take the soundtrack to the ESB when I was doing my homework in 4th grade and listen to it in headphones. There are math problems all over the cover of the LP. :D

Didn't jerry goldsmith do the soundtrack to Poltergeist and I think (original) psycho?

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I'm not sure about those, but he did the first soundtrack I ever owned, which was 'Logan's Run' (VERY swoon-worthy). 'The Mummy' is one of his most recent, and 'Medicine Man' is another of his that I adore.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Just thought - Poltergeist would have been John Williams wouldn't it? Spielberg always uses Williams.

[prozacnation.livejournal.com]

http://www.musicfromthemovies.com/review.asp?ID=340

Weird huh?

Spielberg wrote it but Tobe Hooper directed it.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Well there you go! I'd always thought of Poltergeist as a Spielberg film. :~P

Can you post the link to the music?

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

I'm bopping around HPANA and can't find it, but then, I don't have AOL, which might be part of the problem.

The CD isn't released until the 25th and I'd like to hear it now.

Kizmet

Re: Can you post the link to the music?

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

I don't have AOL either so that shouldn't be a problem.

Here's the link - http://music.channel.aol.com/musicstyles/soundtracks.adp

Just click on listen to whole CD and you'll be there! :~D

Re: Can you post the link to the music?

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I've got it now, but the kids need quiet to go to sleep, so I'll just have to save this for later.