Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The journey

I was listening to the Adagio from Schubert's String Quintet in C Major* today, telling Eldest Child that this was one of my favorite works. She shares a love of classical music, unlike the rest of the Bieber-loving bunch. It made me think about my experiences with this movement. One time I found myself singing the second cello part with four friends in the upper hall of Eastman as we worked on a Schenkerian analysis for class. The first time I really listened to it I was driving from Wisconsin to Ohio. When the minor dominant appeared in the b section of the first part, I nearly drove off of the road, thinking it was a mistake. Now I know to expect it, and to recognize that it is part of a transition to a new key. And today I realized that when the same minor dominant occurs in the third part, it feels very different. Rather than sounding disruptive, the chord is welcomed even as it transitions in a different way than the first part. Because of the repetitions - the journey I had been on - the modulation was a perfect balance of familiar and novel that led me comfortingly to the new key. If I had listened to the third part without hearing the first and second parts, the minor dominant chord wouldn't have had nearly the same effect. And if I hadn't had the experiences studying and hearing the quintet, I wouldn't have realized this effect at all. The journey may not always be the point, but it is always necessary.

*Emerson String Quartet with Mstislov Rostropovich

6 comments:

Chris Willis said...

Yes the journey is a necessary part. Have you seen this: http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html ? It is an amazing talk of how music shapes us, drives us, and pulls us. Enjoy.

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Anonymous said...

Justin Bieber is an excellent musician.

Glenn said...

Do you like the Emerson String Quartet all the time? I love my Shostakovitch recordings by them but was disappointed with the Mendelssohn octet.

Scott said...

I have enjoyed everything I have heard by ESQ, but my chamber listening does tend more to brass than strings.

Piano Yoga said...

Beautiful performance by the Emerson String Quartet and Mstislav Rostropovich! If i'm not mistaken Arthur Rubenstein asked the Adagio to be played at his memorial service.