thought for the Day - June 21,00

Subject: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: GUEST,Peter T.
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 08:53 AM

Out hiking in the woods, I am caught in a long slow summer rain. I find myself shelter under a convenient set of trees overlooking the river, and sit to wait it out. A few years ago I read a book about the experiences of the blind, and was struck by one man's description of how, when it rained, he could suddenly see the shape of space and the location of objects, because the falling of the rain sent millions of little echoes of different kinds off of everything. It took him awhile to tune into the different echo sounds, but now whenever it rained, he could "see" in all directions. Since then, whenever it rains, I always close my eyes and try to learn the different rain sounds -- I am not very good at it, but I have begun to hear the difference between near rain, far rain, rain off leaves, rain off objects, and even just the trying can make the time pass beautifully. I cannot quite hear the sculpting of space in sound yet.

Music, I suddenly think, is like the rain. As the notes of a symphony or song fall, they shape spaces and worlds of experience in our listening. If you like, the notes and chords echo off the colours and burdens of our lives, and we are immediately surrounded by that sounding space: the opening of a Delta Blues, hot and dazzling with resonant sunshine; the high mountain air of a Beethoven trio; the desert sky crisscrossed with contrails in Joni Mitchell's Amelia. The music shimmers, cascades, showers its own intimately created rain space, into which we are briefly plunged.

The rain stops, its aftermath dripping sweetly everywhere. I leave the forest and enter the city again, wandering along the newly musicdrenched streets.

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: MMario
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 09:40 AM

oh. wow. incredible imagery.

"The music shimmers, cascades, showers its own intimately created rain space, into which we are briefly plunged."

yes.

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: black walnut
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 09:59 AM

i've printed this out....it's a keeper.

~black walnut

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Mini Me
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 10:46 AM

Dear Guest, Peter T., I will now listen to the rain . Your above description and thoughts were very enlightening and heartfelt. What a great way to start the day. Thanks Pete.

Mike Strobel

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 11:26 AM

Nice one Peter T, wonderfull images. Everyone should take a day off and go and listen to the rain in the forest. Remember this song.. "Listen to the music of the falling rain, telling me just what a fool I've been" Cant remember who sang it, but a great song in its day. Great TFTD.. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Biskit
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 11:44 AM

WHOAAAaaaaaaaa,HEAVY! -Biskit-

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 12:06 PM

It's raining and I have the day off. I'm heading for the forest, just to tune in and listen. "...the newly music-drenched streets." That's how I feel after a music party. Thanks for reminding me.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Jun 00 - 12:41 PM

There was a wonderful image in a book called Pinball by Jerzy Kozinski. The protagonist was a composer with writers block. He was driving on empty streets in New York and compared them to the blank staff lines of music paper that he was unable to write upon.

Subject: RE: thought for the Day - June 21,00
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 05:27 AM

Such sounds of nature have inspired many great works of music. Your words have inspired me to pay more attention.