Are My Ears Baroque-n?
On Rediscovering Beauty in the Unexpected
January 24th. It’s freezing. I hop out of my Uber and take brisk steps toward Koerner Hall at the RCM on Bloor Street, Toronto. As I get into the building and walk towards the hall, I think…”Is this my life now?…Attending concerts for and listening to music I once considered elevator music, old people's music or otherwise…. Boring music”.
It was only a couple of months prior I had attended my first Symphony at the Roy Thompson Hall, before which I had no idea what a double bass was, and barely understood what the difference between a viola and a violin was. And yet here I am walking the halls of the RCM in anticipation of watching Measha Brueggergosman perform selected poems from Margaret Atwood as songs with a brass band. And yes, I realize how pretentious, snobbish even, this all sounds, but this is where I find myself.
So, how did I get here? Looking back, it was rather inevitable, more a matter of when than anything else. Having started learning the Piano, it would only make sense that I would start paying more attention to classical music. It’s not to say that I didn’t appreciate the genre at all. Far from it. Whenever snippets of Beethoven’s fifth symphony or moonlight sonata, etc came up in movies, I appreciated the ambience and the added layer of emotion they provided, but nothing more.
However, now, now I appreciate the artistry, the composition, and how the elements come together. How the composer can tug on one’s emotions with tension when they throw in dissonant tones, make you feel cold when they play somber notes on a higher register. The double bass… uhh, could quite possibly be one of my favourite instruments ever - its role in a composition is often limited, but boy do you feel its presence when it takes the spotlight. Often providing a layer of tension or meat to a composition - making it feel full and brimming with life.
So why? Why would anyone hold such reverence for “elevator music”? Well, beyond appreciating the dexterity of the composer, I consider classical music to be music with precision - it goes straight to the emotion. Unencumbered by words, you feel it just as intensely. It does not prescribe a narrative, or how you should feel—just that you should. And there’s something incredibly freeing about that.
Because unlike pop songs where you may have to see the world through the eyes of the author, classical music allows you to be the protagonist, and take the story in whatever direction you choose.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the colourful story telling features that are most prevalent in this genre - which I absolutely love. Much like baroque architecture, which features dramatic, elegant designs that allow a building to come to life, classical music does the same by not relying on just four chords to carry an entire piece or, if it those so, it does so with elegance. Composers explore as many notes available to them, going places you didn’t know existed in order to make a piece come to life.
So then, are my ears indeed Baroque-n?
Absolutely.
I once read:
True beauty should terrify you, it should stun you by reflecting back at you how inadequate you are compared to what can be perfect, and it should inspire you to create, not consume.
Classical music done right is fucking beautiful! And it’s not a stretch to say it inspires one to be the best version of themselves. Much like the way you would watch Steph Curry move and shoot the ball with such fluidity and poise it can only be described as poetry in motion - and at the back of your mind, you think, “Can I be the Steph Curry of something?”.
At this point, it would be selfish, irresponsible even, to not share with you some of the beauty I’ve stumbled upon. So, here are some contemporary classical albums I’m listening to and enjoy at the moment:
Emotions by Tony Ann - If you’re looking for true beauty, look no further than this album. Tony Ann plays with Arpeggios like no contemporary composer I’ve come across. This album captures each emotion perfectly while displaying a deep level of dexterity. It’s so good that even if it’s not your vibe, the composers skill cannot be denied.
The Sumer Portraits by Ludovico - This is my everything is fine & you got this album. Unlike Emotions, this album doesn’t make itself the center of attention. It’s a warm background, allowing you to be the focus. I interpret the entire album as - going through a journey or task despite not having all the strength to do so. And everything coming to a crescendo in Pathos, when you accomplish the task despite the odds.
Classical Soul Vol. 1 by Alexis Ffrench - This is music for the soul. It’s difficult to listen to this album and not consider the composer a romantic. When you listen to a song like Suddenly, it feels like falling in love so unexpectedly you’re in awe and shocked by it.
So no, my ears aren’t broken. They’re Baroque-n—in the best way. I hope you enjoy these. Until next time.