Maria Shim

“There is a philosophy which says that in order to feel God, you must begin to believe in Him, just as in order to feel the warmth of a stove, you must come close to it. This is also true with music. In order to feel its warmth, you must come close to it, and open your heart to it. Sometimes that can be awfully hard work. I know many people who come to concerts buttoned up to the last button, so to speak, and who leave buttoned as well.

But music is not so aggressive that it will come through to you without your help. In order to feel its warmth and beauty, you have to shed your emotional insulation, just as if it were a coat, and prepare to listen with your heart. The key to finding happiness in music and to understanding it is not knowledge, because the music itself will teach you whatever you need to know. The key is feeling. What a treasure chest that key unlocks! I have been lucky enough to spend my life in the world of music, making it and sharing it with some of the giants of our time, and I now, with all my heart, that every hour spent with great music illuminates the rest of one’s life.”

~M. S. Rostropovich

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Tools:

As stated above, by the great cello pioneer, Mstislav Rostropovich, music is best understood by listening and experiencing it. There are several tools that will assist in creating the best listening experience, especially for the eager music student for whom listening and experiencing music plays a far more significant role in developing his or her musicianship than hours of practice.

Here are some tools to get you started on this beautiful journey:

• A good speaker or set of headphones. Avoid using computer or phone speakers as they don’t transport the many layers of orchestral music or details of a finer instrument.

• A good music station. Spotify is great. CD players are also a safe bet although out of date. If you have one, use it. Avoid music playlists with advertisements.

• A list of music played by great performers. The internet provides us with a myriad of performances, but that also means we have to sift our way to the legendary performances. Musical taste is acquired, so pick carefully who you listen to!

Playlists to get you started:

If you are new to classical music, here are some playlists created by Ted Libbey, NPR Performance Today radio host:

• Top Ten CD Starter Set

  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45cDpIqXEhDPR9hq6T9Vf9?si=oYAH1JBfTkmcOj47WN5KPg

• Teenage Listeners’ Classical Checklist:

  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0oUc0ntpD1u3IoLPkPG16x?si=Scm-S3itQe2DDLezvwUug