“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” — Aldous Huxley

 

When I was a little girl, the record player inside a wooden cabinet was one of the few adult items that I was allowed to play with. Records by Burl Ives and Tom Lehrer and Peter Paul and Mary still evoke a powerful memory. A couple years later, I went nuts over The Beatles, to my parents’ dismay.

In high school, I dutifully listened to the rock and roll of the times, and enjoyed it somewhat. But my preference then was for classical music. I still admire the skill and artistry of the performers and relish the investment of time and effort it takes, across a lifetime, to fully appreciate complex symphonies and operas.

Operas, recitals, songs. My favorite instrument is the first instrument, as Phil Perry said to me one day before a concert. The human voice communicates emotion in ways that go far beyond words or the music itself and though I like to try and describe the effect it has on us, I’ve given up trying to explain why it should be so powerful.

I’ll be sharing opinions, memories and suggestions. Consider this an open invitation to join the dialogue by commenting on the individual posts and sharing your favorites.