“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” – Aldous Huxley
One of my greatest challenges as a writer is finding the adequate if not accurate words to clothe the nameless spirit which compels me to write. Having committed myself to the task of writing a daily post on handling the problems of life and in a broader sense to hearing the spiritual impulses which come to focus in my consciousness, I occasionally find it necessary to move beyond words to dress and keep the garden for which I am responsible.
But where to turn with so many alternatives to the written word? Why not music? Music is a wonderful and economical medium for the conveyance of the finest qualities of spirit of which we are aware. Every type of music has its merits and each is possessed of a unique ability to realize spiritual impulses and embody them in some form of external matter.
This weekend I had the good fortune to attend two chamber music concerts. Chamber music to my mind is one of the most intimate forms of music making, and to hear world-class musicians perform enchanting compositions by Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelsson and Mozart is is a privilege I wish every man, woman and child could enjoy at some point in life.
“Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensible life.” Ludwig van Beethoven
Gregory Hake 
Thanks Gregg for setting the tone for each of us to hear the spiritual impulses we are to hear. It is wonderful to commune with you and all in this way.
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I know what you mean when it comes to music. It opens up yet another gate of awareness in our soul which allows for a deep, primal connection to its unseen paternal power. As with all languages, there is something to learn about its syntax to more fully appreciate what it brings, yet anybody can easily be captivated by its allure regardless of age, sex or creed. As such, its origins with ours surely are very closely intertwined.
The sense of musicality brings together the mind and heart into a focus which is why I believe it has such power, because whenever those two are aligned there comes a great force whose influence can be equally creative or destructive. What you listen to will totally change your mood if you are not careful. I am reminded of just how seductive the song of the sirens was to Odysseus, even though he was a man of great moral fiber and was held powerless to its ultimate destructive end.
I say that we certainly, desperately need a return to the classical arts here, just so that our children and upcoming generations can learn the finer qualities of music and that the world can be a simpler, gentler place if we so will it. Our appreciation of art has that much power.
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I share your sentiment and enthusiasm. Music has been thought to transport, translate and transform. This universal language carries the vibration of heaven if we open our hearts and minds to it. This is a good example too of where prejudice or judgement can close you off from receiving the gifts music can convey.
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Great post, thanks
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Music has an incredibly broad ability to convey emotion. For instance, it is one of the easiest ways to cross cultural and language boundaries. Music can create and resolve tension, be beautiful or jarring, and sometimes forms bonds between people much more efficiently than words.
I have the pleasure of enjoying many styles of music, but it is hard to beat the beauty and intimacy of a live chamber piece.
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