I’ve started listening to classical music, and I think it means I’m getting old. But if being old is synonymous with the feeling I get when listening to great musicians play Debussy, Grieg or Beethoven, I cannot wait to get older.
I wish I had paid more attention to what I was taught in music history lessons at upper secondary, though, because the world of classical music is vast. I’m clueless as to where to begin.
Normally in such situations, I would go by looks. Wine, for example. I know the difference between red and white, but that’s pretty much it. Still, if I want a nice wine, I choose a colour and then pick the most sophisticated- and baroque-looking label. Never fails. So I thought approaching classical music in the same way would mean instant success.
A while ago I heard a beautiful version of Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise. After hefty googling, I managed to trace it to the violinist Joshua Bell. Based on his interpretation of Vocalise, I visualised him as a classy, very stylish man – a taller, darker and less rebellious version of James Dean. But when I saw the cover of the CD, I almost hoped this classical music obsession of mine would be short. How on earth am I supposed to find my way around the classical universe when forgettable-looking artists insist on putting their face on the album cover, posing naffly with their instrument, and naming their album Voice of the Violin? I mean, come on… If I saw this album in the shop, turn-off Bell would turn me off listening to his music, and I would lose out on pure Rachmaninoff magic.
Needless to say, I’m quite gutted that my ‘looks’ trick has failed me. Which means I have to find great classical music recordings the hard way. Better get to it, then.
