proustian musicology

yesterday in my "towards the professional singer" seminar, my professor read us excerpts from proust, thomas mann and em forster on music and encouraged us to try some free writing on music ourselves. how does one describe something that really can't be described? besides in the analytical ways we do in all our academic master's courses, that is.

like the piece, del cabello mas sutil by obradors. the way the accompaniment seems to ripple and cascade while the vocal line soars passionately above, before the accompaniment dips in a sort of figure eight, waiting for the second stanza, where the voice sings more passionately, unable to control its melody and extending into the upper ranges.

i couldn't find the recording with arleen auger and dalton baldwin on youtube that really gave me goosebumps, but this one is pretty sexy too, although it's with orchestra and therefore not really what i was describing :)

or glenn gould playing brahms intermezzo no. 2 in a major, maybe one of my favourite pieces of all time. the opening figuration has such longing and bravery, sort of like beth in little women - so optimistic and brave despite all she faces. the way the chords are rolled and extended, giving a feeling that they continue extending, surpassing their limitations. and the second little theme that really does go into the upper ranges, singing of beauty before descending into quietness. the b section in minor seems to question everything yet its rolling and continuous quality with its arrival points of peace give an idea that perhaps things will be alright. and then its conclusion with its more hymnal quality before going back into a minor, rolling and pain-filled section. the piano arpeggiates, never quite cadencing, leaving the listener waiting on suspensions and appoggiaturas before the gorgeous, little, brave and optimistic theme comes back.

it really IS hard to describe music, especially without using analytic terms. my grandpa who was quite close with glenn gould will tell you that he played bach well and that was about it. however, i think this recording is one of the most gorgeous things i've heard and i regularly listen to it on repeat.