The Power of Classical
Music
"Music must strike fire
from people's hearts." (Beethoven)
Classical music... What is
it? The question is rather complicated, I should say. There is a tendency
to use classical music with particular reference to the music of the past,
up to and including the 19th century. But it is really possible to say
that classical music is the music of the past? Nothing of the kind. On
the contrary! It also includes music being written now, and we may speak
of modern classical music. And it goes without saying that classical music
refers to genre, not period. I'd like to say that music, in general, is
everything what is done by human society. I consider, that it's very important
to understand what classical music is.
We can't deny that a cultured
person should have refined understanding of music. I like it because in
a good musical production we are offered a piece of life so sharped and
coloured that everything in it down to the smallest detail is significant.
If you ask me what classical music means for me, I'll tell you that it's
"a temple of culture" where composers bring together all their experience,
intuition, imagination and labour for years in an attempt to make us feel
what we enjoy for a little time. Actually, music means cultural wealth
which is very important for the moral and aesthetic education of people,
for raising their cultural level.
It is no longer possible
to rely on the assimilation of a certain quantity of facts, we aren't robots,
we should preserve the best what's within us. I am sure that classical
music possesses the amazing and mighty power of influencing people. It
gives the listeners a keen sensual delight and pleasure, enables and makes
them better and more humane. Moreover, classical music creates a special
world for us which immensely enriches our inner life and makes us happy.
But unfortunately, there
are those who can't understand the marvelous beauty of classical music.
In a way this genre of music is a complicated and exclusive art.What I'm
trying to say is that it's difficult to find one's way into it. What is
more, people want the kind of music to which they can dance or just talk
to friends. It should be simple, cheerful and up-to-date. But nothing can
be compared with the force of classical music, exactly! As for me, I prefer
different musical genres : symphony, concerts, chamber music, vocal music,
opera and ballet.
Classical music gives me
delight, pleasure, partly sensual, partly intellectual. It is always a
complex of emotions, excitement and at the same time love for others and
a desire to do something for them.
When listening to classical
music I have to combine all my feelings into one and to give it name, it
will be "happiness". Classical music contains the powerful appeal for listeners.
It addresses both our senses and intellect. So, I'd like to give an example
of the power of classical music, the power of Ludwig van Beethoven's music
in particular, which represents
for many the supreme example
of the last years of classical period and the beginning of Romanticism.
Through his life, Beethoven was guided by a basic optimism and a faith
in moral values. These always dominated his music, although darker moods
and a grim struggle usually preceded the joy typically found at the end
of his compositions. In his works Beethoven gave new life to traditional
forms. He became deaf, yet in his later years, he wrote some of his
finest works, including the last piano sonatas, string quartets and the
main work - the Moonlight Sonata.
The power of Beethoven's
Moonlight Sonata is really great! It's hardly possible to describe my inner
world, my state, my feelings and emotions when I listen to this incredible
peace of music. I can't imagine how the composer could create such unbelievable
combination of sounds, such majestic and expressive, breathtaking and mysterious,
forceful and vigorous. Well, it's fantastic! While listening to the Sonata,
I always close my eyes and see Beethoven: his calm face, his fingers, wandering
along the keys, the flame of the single candle, a flood of brilliant moonlight.
What is more, I hear music everywhere.
I feel myself in a tiny world,
it's like a strange dream, I should say. But at the same time, there are
moments of a breathless, hurrying, trembling movement, descriptive of flight
and uncertainty, and vague impulsive terror that carries me away on its
rustling wings, and leaves me all in emotions and wonder... I lack words,
I can't express my emotions with words, but I know that music can help
me, stepping in and expressing everything deep and high.
I have no doubt that Beethoven's
music gives the possibility to find new strength, to get new energy and
optimism, to remove from tiredness and tension. Certainly, it is the music
that helps me to survive, to overcome problems, low spirits, ups and downs.
I feel rhythm around me. While listening to the Moonlight Sonata I feel
myself in the seventh heaven. I wish I could fly. If I had wings, I would
fly to ... oh, I don't know how to express my feelings and emotions. I'm
afraid I'm half-cracked about classical music.
Looks like that. Maybe I'm
too romantic but I adore classical music. It gives me joy and inspiration.
It's a source of new ideas. It helps me to understand the surrounding world
better, to understand that life is beautiful in all its forms...It's fantastic
and I can listen to Beethoven's music from morning till night. It gives
me food for thoughts, it creates a special world. Listening to his music,
I build a fortress of positive power in myself, which helps me to overcome
all difficulties of my life.
Kate Ivanova <children@exchange.belpak.grodno.by>
Coordinator: Natalia Petriaeva
School 14, Grodno, Belarus
