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In N. America, children aren’t exposed to enough classical music or art. In Europe it is a much larger part of their history and life.
Remember Deacon when we mentioned the picture of " Dogs Shooting Pool" was what we considered Fine Art.
LOL…yeah.
I was brought up with rock music and I still enjoy what are now classified as the ‘classics’ in rock, but by accident I also got exposure to classical music. My first girlfriend played in the school band and they travelled around the world performing. Spending so much time waiting for her to finish ‘practice’ as they were being disciplined by the conductor and travelling to many concerts with her, then being in the background listening…..I gained a love for classical music. For years I didn’t think much about it until many years later I found a bunch of classical music tapes at a yard sale for a buck. Since then my interest has rejuvenated. I often play classical CDs in my office, much to the regret of some of the staff. When I’m driving, especially long drives, I will throw in a classic CD and crank up the speakers. It’s sometimes funny in the summer when I have the windows down and someone pulls up beside me at a stop light and they look over and see a guy with long hair and a beard and tattoos enjoying Mozart.
Classic art I have always had an interest in. I think it comes from the many years in Catholic churches and schools and seeing the paintings and statues every day.
Some of my staff, their kids do not get much exposure to the classics in art, music or theatre. A few years ago I started buying them tickets to the theatre to see plays and classical CDs and DVD documentaries on classical composers. Some it may not have an effect on them now, but who knows, maybe later in life. One young daughter of a staff member however developed an interest in acting and she has already had two parts in local plays. It’s a start. Better than spending all day at home playing video games.
It was driving me crazy all day because I knew the song and music but I couldn’t remember the name!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I called a music afficenado …..technokitty aka Ramona and she immedietly knew what is was…..Ode to Joy by German poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller in 1785, but it was put to music by Ludwig van Beethoven, which is how it is remembered by most people. The original title was ‘Ode to Freedom’ but Schiller changed the last word out of fear of political backlashes of the time.
Today the music has been used for everything from the anthem of Rhodesia, to music in Kubricks film ‘Clockwork Orange”, to the theme for a wrestle named Triple H in the World Wrestling Federation. Schiller and Beethoven would be either impressed or rolling in their graves.
