Music

Actually, appreciating classical music is not easy and it calls for know -how. When I got married, I did not know the ABC of classical music though I could sing film songs very well. Thanks to my God given ear , my father-in-law's knowledge,husband's encouragement and an excellent master,I learnt classical music from scrap and could provide a good base for my son as well as many other students. My fondness for light music is almost a passion but I can appreciate Indian classical music in depth too.And we normally try to identify the classical ragas in some western classics also. I like a bit of noisy jazz also with good drumbeat though my 'scale' tilts on the lilting side..

I have heard bits and pieces [without knowing what is whose] when played by my son;have heard some award winning pieces recommended by him; I don't know much about it. We are both ardent listeners and can appreciate music; however, the particular one above was not as soothing as I expected. I generally like MSV's and Ilayaraja's above anything else. Ilayaraja's has a lot of impact from the west and is unique in its versatility.THis is in light music and has a lot of classical mix in it. And in classical MSG and TNKrishnan are my favourites as far as instrumental music is concerned. They are all masters.

It is amazing how different each one's ear is to appreciate music kala. Thankfully you do like classical numbers. They provide the much needed atmosphere in this noisy world! I was searching for some sitar vadans by Ravi Shanker and thesids has provided some link. I will search there.

If you are a youngster I truly appreciate your taste for music as these days not many youngsters would want to calm down their nerves

Then you deserve this

I am still young, just 30.

When I was in the choir we were practicing the 'Handel's Messiah' which is sung in 4 voices. I was a Soprano but as I have already said not a big singer but added to the strength of that group. In that number at some point there is pin drop silence for a mere second. Even the musical instruments stop playing for that second but someone in the choir broke that silence. You can imagine the reaction of the conductor. I can never forget that day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU If you have the time do observe it. You will not miss that rest

There is a time and place when even this loud music could be appealing but we do need moments when we can listen to soothing music to get away from it all.

Classical is more difficult and has precision. The present day music is more sound that rhythm and all the mistakes are covered by the loud noise.

Have you tried Negro Spirituals? They are great. I don't find any free downloads. We did sing one of those - 'On yonder hills, there stands a creature...... I think the title was 'Oh no John....' It was a beautiful spiritual number which was sung is 4 voices. Do you know Handel's Messiah. We sang that too. Hymns also create a peaceful atmosphere. Being a Catholic I have loads of them in my memory. Those days we sang them in Latin as well. I loved that hymn 'Oh Sanctissima' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-5W0_kWhSk

Until we get introduced to this form of music we will have no knowledge of it. I was in the choir when I was young and that is the time I got introduced to it. My brother was fond of classical music and he had a huge collection long playing records. He got us into it.His favourite was Beethoven's symphony No.9. He did not have much of a voice but he used to conduct.

Stress is a part of living but we do have tools to face it. I hope you will enjoy this music. You can save it in your collection.

I can definitely say all this unrest is because of our lifestyle. loud music,fast food, fast dance steps, rushing here, rushing there rushing everywhere contributing to odd behaviour leading to rape, murder, violence and the rest! Instead, we should listen to soothing music, do yoga and meditation.