Finance Gal Fancies Notes

A big advantage to music is the share-ability factor.  Of course this applies to books and movies as well, two of my other great loves.  Many of us are passionate about these avenues of expression and enjoy lending out our collections to friends and colleagues.  In the past few months, several composers have come up in conversation, Camille Saint-Saens, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Samuel Barber to name a few.  Of these, I delved into Samuel Barber pieces after a colleague lent me the second movement of his Violin Concerto.  From the moment I began listening, the soulful melody pulled at my heart and became an instant favorite.  I've listened to it many times and I'm looking forward to hearing it played this weekend in our Hall.

After sharing my thoughts with another colleague about the Violin Concerto, I was lent Knoxville: Summer of 1915 which sets music to a short story by James Agee.  The story was subsequently added to a book, A Death in the Family, winning the author a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction posthumously. Barber was said to have identified with the piece, both he and the author were five years old in 1915. Barber also related to Agee's memories, the author's father died in 1916 and Barber' s own father's health was rapidly deteriorating as he composed this work.  It's a special treat for me when music and literature intercede. I requested Agee's book from the library and will begin reading it next week. I've listened to the piece many times and look forward to comparing Barber's musical composition with Agee's words.

In researching further, I borrowed an audio CD from the library entitled Prayers of Kierkegaard. I haven't read Kierkegaard's work, however I'm familiar with Socrates whom Kierkegaard studied.  Again, I was fascinated by Barber's choice to compose based on his interpretation of written word.  Barber studied Kierkegaard's work for over a decade. The piece is divided into four parts, each representing a different prayer. Barber was quoted as saying about the piece, "The truth he sought after was a truth for me, one that demanded sacrifice and personal response." I can relate to his quest to find meaning in life experiences and admire his ability to interpret similarities between his and the philosopher's point of view.

In closing, I would like to thank my friends and colleagues for continually sharing recommendations and recordings with me. I'm going to further my knowledge of the greats Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart this summer in addition to attending many concerts at Symphony on the Prairie.