Klarinet Archive - Posting 000713.txt from 1995/10

From: Rich Copeland <RichC611@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: More questions! :)
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 1995 00:01:02 -0400

Whole dissertations have been written in the attempt to
answer your question about music affecting the emotions, etc.
I wouldn't presume to give you "THE ANSWER".
But I can tell you what happens in my individual case: nothing.

I can come into our magnificent Academy of Music here in
Philly, listen to the Orchestra play a concert consisting entirely
of my favorite selections(better than they've ever before done), and walk out
worrying about the exact same problems I worried about
on my way to the hall.

I can be having a miserable day at work, everything going wrong,
and yet walk around whistling cheerily. Co-workers have asked,
"what are you so happy about?". My response is usually
something like, "I'm not happy. Musicians always make music."

I don't know how to explain it. I guess that in my rather
extensive musical education and somewhat lengthy playing
experience, I have somehow become convinced that music is
just a job to do. Fortunately a job that I like very much, and
usually try to do to the best of my ability, but essentially just
a job. My listening to others perform (even if it's just elevator
music) tends to become an evaluation of how others are doing
"the job". If at any point I become excited over hearing a piece
of music, it is because I felt that the performers did a superb job.

I won't try to go any deeper into it, but now you have my $0.02