A BBC article reports on people who experience music as an almost sexual pleasure.
The article also observes how idiosyncratic the response is. The author uses an Adele song (whoever she is) as an example of particularly evocative dissonances, but when I eagerly went to listen to it, I found it didn't do a thing for me. Then, something like "Women of Ireland" that tears my heart out of my chest leaves someone else cold. And there's the enduring mystery of why I've been completely indifferent to every Mozart piece I've ever heard, when there may be no other composer so universally beloved. Why can't I hear it? The reaction either happens or it doesn't; there's no explaining it.
2 comments:
I find Mozart to be playful, but nothing he wrote is deeply moving. The Romantic period produced more powerfully moving things, for me: Beethoven's 5th and 9th are awesome in the ancient sense of the word, and the Ring Cycle is just amazing to me.
On the other hand, the Classical composers sometimes really did things of deep beauty too. I find that in Bach, and Pachelbel.
When I was a teenager, music could really sweep me away in a way it doesn't any more. But still, of an evening, I take great pleasure in listening to good music over a glass of fine ale. It remains one of my favorite things. Not just orchestral music, either: almost every kind of music. (Except Autotune, to which I have a severe allergy.)
I think it's got to have to do with how the particular musical piece resonates with one's worldview- I'm not that into Mozart- don't get me wrong, it's nice and all, but now Bach, positively sublime. But then, I see the world in patterns and systems, so it makes perfect sense to like Bach. I've never really been Mr. Emotive, especially before having kids, so more romantic or overtly emotional pieces often leave me wanting. I suppose it's also why so much popular music aimed at teens is angsty. It's where they're at, emotionally.
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