In simple reply – you (“we”) are not alone in a deep appreciation of the music that we choose to include in our daily lives. And if it fits being labeled an audiophile, eschewing that moniker’s, sometime hubris of ego, so be it.
Among several careers, writing remaining one, our written or spoken word may reflect a depth or shallowness of the space between our ears but it is music that reflects and reveals the fathoms of our soul, providing solace and peace but more often inspiration to create things from art to new businesses.
Whether it be a Mahler piece, the soothing harp of a Hilary Stagg, the “comforting and warming choral scores of a cheery requiem” or the sonorous depths of Russian liturgical voices, music is the nourishment that feeds our soul.
This morning, beginning my “penultimate year of joining the ranks of “octogenarians,” there was much to contemplate and seeing your posting, laptop fired up and like “Nipper,” ensconced in my “listening chair,” fearing the monoliths looming a few yards away itching to topple crushing my ancient being, decided to contemplate just how to answer your question.
As a child in the 1950’s, daily morning awakening involved hearing music wafting from that huge ebony Magnavox console downstairs in my parent’s living room. If they only knew I listened to music on my crystal radio (WOR New York) “Music After Midnight” well into the “wee hours.” Yes, I learned to play the tuba in junior high school, throttling its “umpahhhh” into a mellow deep undernote and would talk incessantly (who would have guessed given this screed) about what was listened to the night before to my track and swimming buddies before our practice and competition meets.
Thus, the imprinting of the habit of music from one generation to the next. Indeed, three sons suffer the same affliction despite their broad differences in careers from Senior military officer to executive engineer to top shelf medical research. To wit, now my grandchildren are immersed in music as an integral part of their interests as they pursue their own careers.
Fortunate to have traveled extensively word over for more than sixty five years (first aircraft flight at twelve on a “tri-tail”, four engine Constellation – wow me that old) the common thread of the truly impressive individuals with whom lasting friendships have endured, is their including music in their lives, from epicurean tastes to the raw “thwannng” of a R&R ripping guitar score and even a Swiss mountain horn (which I have attempted) .
These individuals reflected every level of humanity from the Palestinian whose house was demolished by a neighboring nations bull dozer, to the artisan that fixed my plumbing (as in kitchen sink and also the surgeon when my body needed dry dock and repair) to business people and actually heads of state here and overseas. That common thread of “need for music” and appreciation for its complexity has become part of my “elevator chat encounters” that provide an initial “size up” of character.
From strategic global analysis, to writing, to business, to creating for art exhibits here and overseas my take now -- it is the music that envelops our being and consciousness that adds to what and who we become.
The brand name and power rating on the amplifier, much like a signed picture of the soup can on a wall may be intended by some to impress and offer bragging rights to satisfy an ego or need for self-esteem elevation but ultimately relevance will only be found within, as the music we tune into, sets the mind on a journey of contemplation, introspection and creativity for the days ahead, appreciative and mindful of the days past.
To offer perspective, I am a 1600’s New England Yankee passport holding citizen of my nation, (certainly not “yet” suffering the curse of senility) but also a citizen of the world of music listeners – to judge myself an audiophile would be hubris on my part but acceptable if needed to define the importance of music to me.
Be well!
THS