Life is chaotic most of the time. All of us have something, some way that we cope. Some have plonk and Chinese food. Some eat chocolate or Tim-Tams. Then there are candles, bubble baths, reading, and hot herbal tea. I listen to music.Not just any music, of course. Depending on my mood, I may listen to a mellow Josh Groban album or a loud rowdy Gary Allan album. But when I want to totally, flat, zone out, I listen to Chariots of Fire or some other album of Zamfir's.
I'll never forget the first time I heard the music from Chariots of Fire. I was standing in a small record store in Houston, Texas. In the midst of whatever were the current rock bands, this magical music filled the store. I stopped dead in the middle of a sentence, listened for a few minutes and then demanded the name of the song. The clerk looked at me as though I had lost my mind, but he told me it was from an album called Chariots of Fire. I believe that is the only time in my life when I walked out of a store with an album just because I liked what I heard.
I had no idea what the movie was about. Listening to each beautiful piece I tried to imagine what possible place it could have in a movie and what such a movie would entail. What very few people know is that the "back" of the album (this was before the time of CDs!!!) contained a single twenty-five minute piece of music that incorporated almost all of the themes from the front of the album.
Have you ever listened to a piece of music that made your soul fly? That's what that piece of music does for me. It lifts me out of whatever dark place I may be inhabiting and flings me out into the light. It's likely that piece of music saved my life when I was treading through some pretty dark valleys.
Everyone should have one song, one piece of music that makes the heart soar with delight. No doubt the choices are as varied as the individuals making those choices. But some nights when the soul is cold and lonely, a candle lighting the darkness, a taste of wine, and music to sooth the worst of the terrors is the perfect prescription.
As I sit here with the music soaring all around me, peace has settled in beside me.
Anny
I love that piece, too. It's beautiful. Isn't it great though to have something you can always depend on. SOmething that's always there. I tend to like very soothing sounds...especially when I write. Waterfalls and rain, the surf crashing, flutes and classical guitar. I love Jesse Cook a classical guitarist. He's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI like lots of different music but none it actually does the 'soul lifting' thing...I think my souls too heavy to lift
ReplyDeleteI love the theme to Terms of Endearment as well as COF. And was thrilled the day I mastered both on the piano.
ReplyDeleteI believe I was in second grade when I saw that movie. Loved it even though most of it bored me to tears. Then I went home and spend a week picking it out on the piano until I had it. Still love that piece.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of tea and chocolate. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe right piece of music can lift you out of yourself and make your spirit soar.