The word Classical has strong connotation, conjuring up the
art and philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome along with their ideals of
balance, proportion and disciplined expression. The composers of the early
Classical period changed direction, writing music that was much simpler in
texture.
Some might assume that Classical music is a dying genre in
the music industry while others would exclaim that “you aint seen nothing yet”,
but it will live on forever in the hearts, ears, and eyes of many especially in
Benjamin Zander. Benjamin Zander, has been the conductor of the Boston
Philharmonic since 1979. He usually conducts seminars for leadership but in
this particular case he was sharing the transformative power of classical
music. He played a little Chopin and gave different perceptions of the same
piece as if he was a child who was learning how to play the piano and continued
to grow and succeed in perfecting the piece.
Before he played the piece he
asked listeners to catch ahold of the essence of someone that was missed or
adored to become present again through memories while he expounded Chopin’s
masterpiece.
As I watched and listened to conductor, speaker, and teacher
Benjamin Zander convey his expression and passion for classical music though a
little bit of Chopin, it inspired me. This
man showed a sincere passion for the art of Classical music like no one I have
seen in a long time. He broke down how
some people do not mind classical music, a large group of people never listen
to classical music and only a selection of people believe they’re tone deaf.
With a hint of humor behind his presentation, he tells the audience that no one
is tone deaf! He expresses that if we were tone deaf we couldn’t change the
gears on a car, we couldn’t tell the difference between a person from Texas or
a person from Rome, or even distinguish the voice of a person on the telephone
and what kind of mood they’re in. So basically every one can hear tones, which
is exciting.
I saw that the audience was astonished at Zander’s enthusiasm.
As a conductor, he doesn’t make a sound, but he depends on his power of ability
to make others powerful. He stated that his job was to awaken the possibility
in other people, and its shown by the shining of eyes. Zander asked the
audience and listeners, Who are we being, as we go back into the world? So I
asked myself, Who am I being, that my children’s eye’s are not shining? It
really makes a difference of what we say, the words that come out of out mouth.
“I would never say anything that couldn’t stand as the last thing I’ll ever say”.
I was impressed by his definition of success. He exclaimed
that it wasn’t wealth, and fame and power, but how many shining eyes we have around
us. I interpreted that its not the money, or fame, but it’s the impact you have
on everyone you encounter on the path of destiny.
