The other night I was up late channel surfing. My sweet EC was snuggled up to me, and already out cold. Me? I was avoiding going to sleep. Do you know why? Because if you go to sleep at night, the next thing you know, it’s morning. Do you know what happens in the morning? You have to get up. And I don’t like getting up. So, I procrastinate going to sleep. I’m nothing if not logical.
Anyway, as I scrolled through the programs, the movie “Amadeus” caught my eye. I was compelled to stop and watch.
Amadeus (1984) is one of my all-time favorite movies. I lost count of how many times I have seen it. I love the music, the story, the acting. It makes me think as well. One reason I know it so well is that I worked at a movie theater when it was playing. I would make a point to slip in the back of the theater and watch in whenever I could. The movie spurred an interest in Mozart, and I fell in love with his work. I mentioned some of it in yesterday’s post.
As I was watching, a short piece of Simfonia Concertante was used in the soundtrack. That little piece of music triggered a thought, which triggered another. This post is just a listing of some of those thoughts. (Mostly because I couldn’t figure out a way to put them all together with any sense of coherence.) Feel free to contribute any thoughts you have on the topic.
• It occurred to me that I have heard the Simfonia Concertante more times in my life than Mozart ever did in his. I’ve been a fan for some 25+ years, and listen to it quite often – it is on my Sabbath playlist.
• The only way Mozart could have ever heard the song was either in his head, or performed live. There were no recordings.
• I have seen this piece performed once. It was great, but I know the piece from hearing it over and over again. Back in Mozart’s day, it would be almost impossible for a listener to get really familiar with a piece, because your opportunities to hear it would be so limited.
• Some of classical music’s greatest works were under-appreciated in their day, and were only performed a few times. Some, like Beethoven’s 5th were performed badly the first time.
• The only way to hear music up until about 100 years ago was live. As in, the person singing or playing had to be right there with you.
• Of all the people who have lived on the earth, only the people who have lived in the last 100 years have been able to hear the same song, performed exactly the same way, twice.
• Recorded music for private use has only been around for a little more 100 years. I have been around for 50 of those 100 years.
• The Sony Walkman came out in 1979 – the year I graduated from High School. (33 years ago)
• I have 2490 songs in my iTunes library. Not very many by today’s standards – My kid’s standards, that is.
• If I were to listen to every one of those songs once, it would take 7 days, 18 hours, 33 minutes.
• My brain holds the music and complete lyrics to about 2200 of those songs. I wonder what percentage of my brain is filled with that music.
• I don’t even want to think about how much money my family has given Apple to house our music.
• If I had no access to recorded music, I would still have music in my life. Most would come from the following:
a) Me singing to myself
b) Other people singing around me
c) Church
d) My family members playing instruments
e) An occasional concert/musical theater performance
• Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and the pioneers only heard live music in their lifetimes. That gives me extra appreciation that John Taylor could sing for Joseph in Carthage upon request, and that the pioneers could gather around the campfires to share music.
• I hear music all day long – in the office, in stores, on the TV, in church – and that is all incidental – that music is just playing – I didn’t choose it, but it is there constantly. In addition, I can also listen to music in my house, in my office or on my head – all music that I listen to by choice.
Where am I going with this? I don’t really know. I just got lost in thoughts about music, and began to appreciate how lucky I am to have this incredible access to unlimited music – unlike most people in the history of the world. Lucky? Blessed? Maybe.
It also makes me wonder what the endless drone of the music is drowning out. I would like to think that the soundtrack to my life enhances my life. Or does having a constant soundtrack playing in my life detract from deeper thinking, from spiritual communication, from peace? Either? Both?
I can’t imagine the boy Joseph walking into the grove of trees wearing an iPod.
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I hadn’t really thought about the fact that recorded music has only existed for about a century.
I love music. It’s almost a constant in my life. But there are definitely times when I love to turn the radio off while I’m driving and just listen to nothing. I get some amazing moments of inspiration when I do that.
I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply that but lumping the scriptures and the other literature together you were using that as an excuse. Just pointing out that I’ve heard that excuse by others…and as you’ve said it is infantile.
There is definitely great worth in all types of music an literature.
I loved this post! Thanks so much! I never really thought about people 100 years ago not being able to listen to music whenever they want… what a blessing of our day! It also reminded me of the new part added to the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet:
“When listening to music, be courteous to those around you. Keep your music at a reasonable volume, and remove your earphones when others are talking to you or want you to be part of their activities. Remember that the Spirit speaks with a still, small voice. If you listen to music constantly, you may not have the quiet time you need for thinking, feeling, and receiving spiritual guidance.”
I just found your blog through a friend on FB. I have always loved music & it’s been an integral part of my life. I love to sing & love to listen to many kinds of music. We recently purchased a new car & I love that it can stream my music from my iPhone directly through the Bluetooth Audio instead of having to plug in the Aux wire now. I have all my LDS music on my phone & love listening to it in the car. It makes my day much better!
I liked your thought about music sometimes blocking other inspirations. Although I find I get a lot of inspiration through music, especially when I’m listening to church music, I do sometimes turn it off and just have silence. Many times, during the silence, I will think of lyrics to songs that serve as my inspiration.
I listen to lots of other types of music too & sometimes even receive inspiration while listening to non-church music. As I’ve gotten older, I do find myself sometimes listening to something I liked in my younger years & thinking “Why on earth did I ever like this?!?” No matter what I have listened to in the past or listen to now, the fact is that I love music and am VERY grateful for the role it has in my life!
None of the items in your list is rated R, MMM.
Sorry if I conveyed a literal parallel between classic literature and scripture. My point was that given the right context, I wll read about rape, murder and cannibalism – not for a salacious desires, but to explore larger, more important ideas. In addition, rough content does not automatically disqualify something as being of worth – or of the Spirit.
Using this argument to justify disobedience – like R rated movies – is infantile. God knows the desires of our hearts.
So I’ve had “Rock Me Amadeus” stuck in my head all day. Was that part of the soundtrack or just a song from the 80’s? I have no clue never having seen the movie. I do however remember watching my mom and her friends jazzercise to it in the 80’s —- in their leotards — which may or may not have been “crass” viewing. =)
In a comment you said: “Sometimes I find myself wading through an occasional rough patch in search of something good. Were it not so, I would have to give up:
MacBeth
Hamlet
East of Eden
The Grapes of Wrath
Lord of the Flies
The Lord of the Rings
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
&
Moroni Chapter 9
I’m not ready to give any of these up – even though they all have offensive characters, descriptions and deeds.”
I wouldn’t put the scriptures in the same category as any other literature. We’ve been commanded to read the scriptures, written by prophets of God, while we haven’t been commanded to read the other stuff, only to seek out the best books. It’s the same argument I get from time to time from others for watching R rated movies “Well, if the Book of Mormon was a movie it would be R rated too!” Just an excuse to justify their actions.
I wonder that, too . . . if a young Joseph Smith would ever have gone into the grove to pray had video games and ipods been around back then . . . Kind of a sobering thought.
I love music, too, and celebrate the ease with which we can enjoy it in all its rich variety, along with other advances for entertainment and education . . . but sometimes I still wonder what we may have given up for them . . .
I, for one, need some silence in my life . . . some space . . . some solitude . . . and at least some pondering time that doesn’t come with a soundtrack . . .
For years, I thought that all of the performers gathered at the radio station and played live. I asked my Dad about it. He set me straight. Dads are good for that . . .
“Too many notes.” Also, “Well. There it is.”
“I was avoiding going to sleep. Do you know why? Because if you go to sleep at night, the next thing you know, it’s morning. Do you know what happens in the morning? You have to get up. ” I get myself caught in that too -especially when I am really tired or dreading the next day. super bright
Interesting & thoughtful ideas on music and the age of miracles which we enjoy.
but your blog notification pops up on my email just as I am supposed to be returning to work from break. You are going to get me in trouble!
Hey MMM,
I am fairly new to your blog. My husband’s law firm forwarded your “love and diet coke” around the office (they are all LDS) and he sent it to me. Pretty great stuff you have. I was wondering–is there any way you would do a how-to or suggestion post on teaching small children the gospel? I love what you’ve written about the YM/YW and was wondering if you had any insights about primary age kids. Thanks a bunch!
A few little known facts:(maybe well known)
*Brigham Young sang in a operaetta in Nauvoo. Theatre was a very important part of Nauvoo culture. I have a whole book in my brain of the eternal nature of theatre.
*The first building erected in SLC by Brigham, (other than living quarters) was a theatre.
*Emma had a beautiful singing voice. The first hymn she chose for the first hymn book was “Know this: That every soul is free”
*Joseph could not sing well, and asked people to sing for him at the drop of a hat, beucauce he loved it so much. Even in the middle of the street. Or in the middle of a sermon. If I am ever prophet- I am going to do that.
*”Pop goes the Weasel” was the favorite song at the Smith family home. It came down through the generations.
Mozart was known to be very promisiciuos. (mis-spelled)Maybe he was just flirty. Beetoven on the other hand, was kind of a prude.
I love music, too, but sometimes I just crave (and need) silence. I guess I’m easily distracted… I can’t read or concentrate as well when there is music playing. It’s much harder for me to feel the spirit with music playing. Ironically, much of the time when I do find silence, a hymn or primary song will be dancing around and around in my head. And if I take the time to think about the words, many times they have been an answer to prayer or a message that I needed that day.
Sometimes, I’d you let it, silence can feel like a breath of fresh air.
I remember reluctantly going to the Stake Center as a teen to have a fireside on the evil influence of music, specifically the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. I thought the argument that music (played forward or backwards) could influence my behavior was ludicrous. I was a self-absorbed teen and just didn’t get it. Oh how the wisdom of the years has changed my perspective. I love Mozart (A collection of his music was a trusted companion while in the mission field). I loved the movie Amadeus. I love the creative genius that so many musicians possess. For bad or good, their influence is pervasive in almost every part of our culture.
Reading through the conversation of trees and fruit, are we overlooking the fact that we all come from a loving God who has blessed each of us with specific talents and abilities? God does ask us to use those abilities to build his kingdom but he doesn’t always remove those talents from us if we use them for ill. Good trees produce bad fruit, and vice-versa.
Doesn’t this exemplify and enhance our understanding and need of the atonement? None of us are perfect, save the Son of God. He is the only example of the good tree always bringing forth good fruit. It’s part of the plan. Period. I doubt we will ever understand it during mortality.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the good fruits of music (nothing better than driving through the desert, top down with Sting’s “Why Should I Cry for You” blaring), the good fruits of cinema (Gladiator “TBS Version”, Shawshank Redemption “TBS Version” and The Godfather “AMC Version”) and the beautiful fruit of the written word (Hugo’s “Les Miserables).
Sometimes it’s fun to enjoy a song just because I really like it, not because it enriches my soul. OK GO! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5933733973682128992
Fascinating! I especially love the last line…
Re: BTTF — we loved that movie, but had forgotten the swearing completely! We now have a DVD player that filters that out for us, and it’s a kid-friendly movie again!
Jocelyn does allude to the solution – the Spirit can direct us. If we are indulging in something offensive to the Spirit, he will let us know.
(For those who have not seen Amadeus, it is rated PG, and while there were some “crass” moments, I wouldn’t define anything as “explicit”. Don’t let Jocelyn chase you away!)
Of course, I remember when my wife and I wanted our kids to see “Back to the Future” and were aghast at how much profanity there was! Time sometimes filters those things out for me.
MMM, I’m with you.
BY taught that drama, with its villains, can help teach the consequence of their behavior without our having to live through it.
Literature (and film) is one way we can live in the world and not of it, by vicariously experiencing and dealing with wickedness. I’m not advocating that we spend all our time in what President Hinckley would have called “salacious” material. But there is value in examinaing the good and the bad of this world.
BTW, the greater sin (as your point out, MMM) in Amadeus is Salieri’s envy & pride.
Ha, good discussion here…I’d argue that there is a monumental difference between The Grapes of Wrath and the dialogue and (yes) explicit nature of the scenes in Amadeus. Pretty different. I would not put scripture in a list with any of these…although the grapes of wrath is pretty powerful indeed. G of W left me feeling inspired and hopeful, although a little depressed at the struggle of mankind…Amadeus left me feeling entertained but degraded. The scriptures never leave me feeling depressed or downgraded in any way, but uplifted, hopeful, inspired, ready to change myself. It also shines light on what is truly good and what is truly evil. I don’t feel confused after reading scripture (even scripture stories containing violence), like I do after listening to some modern music or watching some “good” movies. There is plenty of violence and rule-breaking in scripture, but it is presented differently and for a better purpose than in movies. Just saying!
Hmm. Interesting turn this discussion has taken. I guess I DO believe that representations of bad can help us understand good. Sometimes I find myself wading through an occasional rough patch in search of something good. Were it not so, I would have to give up:
MacBeth
Hamlet
East of Eden
The Grapes of Wrath
Lord of the Flies
The Lord of the Rings
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
&
Moroni Chapter 9
I’m not ready to give any of these up – even though they all have offensive characters, descriptions and deeds.
I also know many people (myself included) who produce BOTH good and bad fruit. I do tend to remember the positive, whether it be movies, books or people. (I have more questions than answers on this one!)
I agree…it does both of those things. Maybe you should add to your question…how can one tree (or movie) bring forth both bad and good fruit? Is the good fruit ruined by the bad fruit? Can a fruit be BOTH good and bad at the same time and in the same bite?Because the so-called “good” lessons of that movie are long forgotten, but the images that it placed into my mind are recalled instantly.
Also here is the opening line of the official trailer for the movie: “Are we going to appal you with something confidential and disgusting? Let’s hope so, because that is what you really like. Unconfessed crimes of buried wickedness-If that is what brings you to us, the prospect of hearing horrors, you shall not go unrewarded.”
Now I was too young to see this movie in theaters, and didn’t see the trailer, but as promised, I definitely received my “reward” for watching it.
* I a KING of the typos.
Jocelyn: Yes, Mozart was fictionally portrayed as “smutty” – nothing too graphic – but essential to establish the premise of the movie: “Salieri believes that Mozart’s music is divine. He wishes he was himself as good a musician as Mozart so that he can praise the Lord through composing. But he can’t understand why God favored Mozart, such a vulgar creature, to be his instrument. Salieri’s envy has made him an enemy of God whose greatness was evident in Mozart. He is set to take revenge.” (I stole that from IMDB)
It hints at an old question that I sometimes wrestle with: “How can an evil tree bring forth good fruit?” I don’t know, but I know it happens all the times.
Many alcoholic artists, drug addled composers and womanizing authors have moments where they create “good” and beautiful things. I don’t have the answer – but I know Amadeus does a great job of exploring the question, as well as themed of jealousy and pride.
I’m not sure if I caught all of your points…however, music somehow triggers a lot of emotions/memories in me too. I can remember every horrible lyric to every song that I listened to as a young. Every. Word. And I cannot turn it off. If you so much as recite 3 words from one of those old songs, I can pick up where you left off. Music = power. Also Amadeus is a very trashy movie. (I know you just screamed out loud after reading that!) But don’t deny it…his character was smutty. That’s just what I remember about it. I’ve seen it more than once too, but the story in that movie actually distracts me from the beauty of the soundtrack. I second Vatermann…I love listening to Gen Conf…which I have on a lot during the day.
Music has been a HUGE part of my life. And now part of my children’s lives. We listen to all kinds – classical, jazz, religious, Celtic, some pop, etc. Whatever it is though must pass our high standards.
I was asked to give a presentation to the priests of our stake at Helaman’s Camp last year on Using Music to Build Spirituality {and part 2}. To this day I’m not sure really what made them listen to an 8th month pregnant woman {at the time} talk to them at the end of a very tiring day (it was the day of their big hike) but they did. Maybe it was the ice cream they got at the beginning?
Music is a powerful tool. How we use that tool is our choice.
“I can’t imagine the boy Joseph walking into the grove of trees wearing an iPod.”
*Like!*
I switched from music to podcasts a few years ago. I don’t know when exactly, but it was sometime when I caught up with technology and had a long commute. Those podcasts may have the same blocking effect as some music…
I love music, though I confess I listen to little new music.
Along with the blessings of music, I just wanted to chime in and say how blessed we are to be able to hear and see Prophets speak at the touch of a button. Technology is created for the benefit of man.
I really like your line of thinking. I used to wonder why people would go to symphonic concerts and sit for hours at a time (which I actually enjoy) over and over and over, but hello?? Thank you for pointing out that it’s the only way they could hear music until the grammaphone was invented! Of course, families who had pianofortes in their home would have had more opportunities for music. But it makes sense why people would gather around a piano for mini-concerts, too. Thank you for reminding me how incredibly blessed I am to turn on Pandora or the radio or my iPhone or YouTube or…
You said this: “It also makes me wonder what the endless drone of the music is drowning out. I would like to think that the soundtrack to my life enhances my life. Or does having a constant soundtrack playing in my life detract from deeper thinking, from spiritual communication, from peace? Either? Both?”
And I would have to say YES to all of it. I find that sometimes music is definitely needed to help lift my spirits and to give me peace; spiritual communication, too. But at the same time, I have to remember to turn it all off and just listen. I enjoy meditation, but ironically? I don’t get much these days with incessant children noises around me from sunup until sundown. Sometimes, playing classical music (or Enya or something) during the day is desperately needed to calm the kids down and give me some peace I can’t find in the non-silence of our home.
Anyway, loved this post. Love the movie Amadeus! Love Mozart (although I’m more of a Chopin person). And I adore music (probably helps that I’m a classically trained pianist, eh? Not that anyone has to be a trained musician to enjoy music, of course…).
I turned off the radio in the car about five years ago. Then last year I stopped bringing disks into the van unless they were church music.
It is interesting how music pervades.
It is also interesting how, when we turn it off, the spirit can and will speak.
Triple M, I think this is my favorite post thus far! Music is so incredible and powerful. It’s like the force! There’s a good side (good music) and a dark side (bad music) and both are influential. I wonder how different the world would be if everyone stopped listening to the depressing stuff and only listened to Motab or EFY cd’s. Lol
Makes you ponder. When I was a child, I studied all kinds of classical music and even composed music. It’s a weird thing to have a tune come to your head and then play it out on a piano, adding harmony to the melody. A composer hears the music before it is played. They dream about it, they spend hours scoring it on paper. The final performance isn’t the best part. It’s the struggle that got you there. Maybe that’s just like life. We are a sum total of all our experiences.
I’m certainly no Motzart. That’s just how it worked with me.
I love what music can do to my mood. It can uplift me. But then in the opposite way, it can help bring my mood down further.
If I am already in a somewhat bad mood, hearing certain songs (not necessarily bad songs, but the tone is just not good to me) I just get in even a worse mood.
Interesting thoughts! Isn’t the brain’s ability to memorize and retain music incredible? I have no idea how many pieces I’ve memorized on my violin. I can go years without playing a piece, and be able to pick it up and play it without a problem. They’re that stuck. 😉