I have had quite a few people listen to my system and most are not moved. In fact a few said they liked their Bose set-up better. Well last week I had a buddy in town from Vegas and we listened to records all evening. When I put Eva Cassidy songbird on he starting weeping. Tears were coming down and I asked him if he was alright. He said he was so moved by the recording that he couldn't help crying. Personally this has never happened to me. I wonder if other members have had the same experience.
I agree about technical music not being emotional. I go to concerts/recitals at my son's university and enjoy these sessions. But I find that while the technical pieces show off the skill and talent of the performers, to me it is boring.
Everyone probably has some recordings that show off their hi-fi capabilities, but some of the most musical recordings are certainly not the best from a technical standpoint. I lean towards listening more to the better quality recordings vs. musical just like the fact that I'll watch a boring show on an HD channel instead of something more interesting on an analog channel. I'm a prisoner of my own nervosa. One exception is the album, "For Duke" by M+K. Fantastic recording by all aspects.
Some people are into this hobby for the equipment, some for the music, some both. I don't think there is any reason to be judgemental about any of these groups. I'm ionto it for both. People who are into it for the music will probably have a stronger emotional response than those into it for the equipment. This may not even be a complete truth, because people are into music for different reasons. My brother-in-law is a very talented musician, who seems to really enjoy the technical aspects of music, such as very complicated forms of jazz, which to me seem completely devoid of emotional content (or maybe I just don't get it). A chacun son gout.
Cyclonicman, I believe you are right when you say, ". . . most people on the planet have a greater emotional response to visual rather than auditory stimulus." And that, ". . . emotional responses are linked to the human situation, such as love, forgiveness, sacrifice." I further agree that my emotional response to music is due my perceived emotional connection to a given musician's expression of his/her humanity (the "human situation")--such as love, forgiveness, sacrifice, etc. expressed through his/her music. That's what I hinted at when I said, "I want to hear the smiles on their faces."
Strauss; Ein Heldenleben...3/4 through the piece is the moment of euphoria...one can revel in one's system AND in the wonder of music both at the same time...well worth a good cry!
03-20-09: Rel "You need that special Italian tissue paper made from the same trees that are used to make Stradivarius violins. (Only $4395 a Box)"
Yes, but think of it as a very smart investment, as you can turn around and sell them for twice that after a single use. Just remember to mention that they've been "cry"-oed!
Nietzchelover, I would venture to say that most people on the planet have a greater emotional response to visual rather than auditory stimulus. I am one of the comedians and I have no problem stating that I have either shed a tear or held them back during an emnotional response to a movie. For me those emotional responses are linked to the human situation, such as love, forgiveness, sacrifice. That just doesn't happen when it comes to music, at least not for me!
Actually Nietzschelover, now that you've mentioned it, I'll admit it, I did cry while watching Pee Wee's Big Adventure. I guess I now realize that I am a bigger fan of movies than of song.
I suppose the "comedians" in this thread have never cried at a movie, either. For if they did, that would suggest that they have a greater emotional connection to the movies they watch. Thus, for them, a tearjerker like Frank Capra's, "It's a Wonderful Life", would be more emotionally powerful that every piece of music ever recorded.
"You need that special Italian tissue paper made from the same trees that are used to make Stradivarius violins. (Only $4395 a Box)"
Yes, but think of it as a very smart investment, as you can turn around and sell them for twice that after a single use. Just remember to mention that they've been "cry"-oed! -
Can someone recommend which tissues are best to use when wiping one's tears. I was gravitating towards Kleenex but was advised to use Scott, which supposedly is better with a tubed equipment.
You need that special Italian tissue paper made from the same trees that are used to make Stradivarius violins. (Only $4395 a Box)
I would like to speak on behalf of all of us "comedians". It's all in fun and I don't think any harm was meant by anyone. When I listen to music, I am emotionally involved, it renews me on a spiritual level, but I guess, I just don't understand the crying thing. I listen to rock, jazz, classical, and blues, but have never come close to crying. When listening, I am usually smiling, totally involved, and do not want to be disturbed by anyone or anything. I guess I could see how one might cry while listening to Opera or something sad. Different strokes for different folks!
Everyone's a comedian. I confess having been brought to tears many times listening to music on my system. Isn't that why we love music so much, because it touches us emotionally?
Just the other night I thought I was going to cry while listening to "Countdown to extinction" and I was not quite prepared for this type of musical experience! Can someone recommend which tissues are best to use when wiping one's tears. I was gravitating towards Kleenex but was advised to use Scott, which supposedly is better with a tubed equipment.
My wife and I have cried many times. For instance, my wife has cried when John Coltrane plays his solo on, "Flamenco Sketches". As for myself, I have cried while listening to Billie Holiday, for example. When I told my friend Terry, who is an audio consultant and retailer (and who, also, used to be the Viva distributor in the US) about crying to Billie Holiday, he said, "Well, OF COURSE you cried listening to Billie Holiday. You HAVE TO cry, when listening to Billie Holiday." I wouldn't spend so much money on audio gear, if I was not capable of being so deeply moved by music. The goal of my system is to allow myself to be emotionally connected to the music that is played through it and to the artists playing that music, as much as possible. Like Terry says, "When a jazz band's cookin', I want to be able to hear the smiles on their faces." Nietzsche said, "Without music, life would be a mistake." I agree.
My wife cried when I was playing a Cd that reminded her of when we were happy together. This was just days before she left me. She quickly wiped the tears and moved forward in her parade.
I think a great attribute of a system is to convey emotion. Isn't that why the majority of us spend thousands? If Eva Cassidy and Judy Garland don't get it going, I don't know what will.
Eva Cassidy's Songbird had that very effect on me once. I will never forget it because it was a Sunday, I was feeling terribly down and so sad all day on that day and could not figure out why. Must have been some kind of ESP, the following Tuesday was September 11, 2001.
I have been brought to tears while listening to music, but it has been more a confluence of circumstances that initiated them. My general emotional condition along with a moving piece of music played through a well thought out sound system has brought me to a melancholy that resulted in tears maybe a half dozen times. Feels great although I am somewhat embarrassed when it happens. BTW usually it is a beautiful classical piece on the table or a recording of the final out of the 2004 World Series.
She was a graduating art student from Hawaii and I was an awkward workstudy student at UC Santa Barbara's University Center's Art Gallery. We hit it off and dated for a few weeks but she was leaving for a Europe tour with her friends. It was young love and it was sweet with lots of laughter and fun. Our last evening we said good bye in a heavy misty night. She told me she couldn't get too close because of a recent sexual assault on her but she'd write. I got a few post cards and then silence . When I hear "You Got to Follow Your Road" by Hawaii's Sea Wind, I cry for what happened to her. I don't listen to the album but once in a blue moon. Lots of us have memories with our music as it's been a soundtrack of our lives. We can crack jokes about technical failures, absurd resources spent, but this hobby always came down to our humanity in one form or other. Oh, yeah, I get a lot of smiles (from ME) from my system too. Enjoy and live on my fellow listeners.
Actually, no one has shed a tear yet, but frequently my wife does have a strong emotional response to the music. Just last night she screamed from the bedroom to lower the volume so she can hear the television. Women!!
I little over a year ago my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Shortly after we got the news I was listening to Mindy Smith's "Just One Moment More" from her debut album and lost it. I still have to skip that song whenever I play the CD otherwise the water works begin.
I have been actively listening to recorded music since I was 10. I have never been moved to tears until last year, and only twice, not balling, but tears were shed. Once was a Violin, the other was more lyrically based. I don't think you can have the same reaction listening to a table radio, you have to be able to feel the emotion in the music, and you have to have a system that is capable of amplifying that emotion. Or a really good table radio, whatever that is?
having an emotional response when listening to music is a reaction to the music , not the sound quality of a stereo system. you can have the same reaction singing the music or listening to a table radio.
It happens occasionally, although I think it is a function of the music more than the system. I suspect the same would have occurred on lesser systems wiht the same music. The one I remember most vividly was at Fidelis HiFi. Toward the end of a demo session, the owner played Israel Kamakawiwo Ole, Facing Future. I struggled to control the tears, staring up at the ceiling. This is some of the most beautiful, soulful music I have ever heard. I am not the only one; looking at the ratings of this disc on Amazon.com, I have never seen so many 5star ratings, such a lack of negative comment. If you have never heard this music, you must get it. If you are not moved by this music, seek an exorcist - someone has stolen your soul.
Yes, not often but I'll admit to it - music really does move me - it is probably why I tend to stick to happy music! I wouldn't have it any other way. If you can't feel it that deeply then you are obviously missing something. LIfe is too short to be macho all the time.
Don't know how many of you have seen the movie the Red Violin. Very moving, Won't ruin the story but recommend you all rent it. I purchased the sound track and did shed a few tears listening to it.
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