Out Towards the Sea by Bræin

I used to carry a big folder with a picture of Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “If I had nine hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening my ax.” Now, it hangs on my wall.

For many of us, we focus our energy on crossing the finish line, which oftentimes leads us to overlook the necessary steps to endure the long journey. So along the way, some of us “crash and burn.” Each new day provides opportunities for us to refine our knowledge to deal with life’s challenges. It is up to us to seek those teachable moments, that point in time when we see things in a new light and our hearts are changed in an instant. If we allow for such missed opportunities, we’d simply be hacking away in a meaningless world wondering where our life has gone. So, whether our skills be related to work (doing spreadsheets or designing a rocket) or relationships (being patient, kind, or generous), every act of perseverance will prepare us for greatness. When we spend time to develop the proper tool (i.e. when we choose not to give up in improving ourselves), we create a world of unimaginably happy people with extraordinary talents.

Composer Edvard Fliflet Bræin’s goal was certainly not to have his music called incomprehensible. Devoting most of his time to developing his own flair, listeners often felt confused between his dichotomous portrayal of tragedy and comedy infused into each other. Nevertheless, he persisted in his mission to create his own sound and eventually became a notable Norwegian composer of his day. His most remembered piece, Ut mot havet, or Out Towards the Sea, is a simple melody, yet so glorious so as to be considered as Norway’s second national anthem.

As you navigate your way to achieving your goal, I hope that you seek wisdom with all your might, for it will ultimately be the sharpened tool to chop down that tree.

 

 

Intermezzo by Ponce

I take regular strolls at a nearby park and I become captivated by the peaceful scenery of birds gliding through the sky. They have no inhibition about flying (or falling). This particular picture tugs at my heart because it reminds me of a promise that I received that one day I would fly around the world and sing to those who would listen. I will be free; no amount of fear will shroud my confidence in the purpose I have set out to fulfill.

What holds you captive from finding Freedom? Why do we grasp so tightly to the things that need to be released? Whether they be fears of failure, rejection, disappointment, or the unknown, we allowed lies (not being smart/wealthy/powerful/attractive enough) to seep into our soul – and we believed them. Wholeheartedly.

It’s time to move on.

When I take my stroll, I listen intently to the songs of these birds. Each one has an individual voice and quite frankly, some songs sound more lyrical than others. Naturally, I pay special attention to the squawking because they, too, have something important to say.  It seems that the squawking provides the harmonic accompaniment for the melodic singing. They finish their tunes and fly over the hills until they find another tree branch and start all over again.

I believe in humanity to soar and reach the sky. We will no longer be suppressed by lies and our unique voices will resonate across the universe. We will sound absolutely beautiful. Perhaps our music will resemble like that of Manuel Ponce’s Intermezzo.

Solveig’s Song by Grieg

Peer Gynt was a coward, liar, narcissist, man of no moral compass. Wandering aimlessly from place to place while faking multiple identities to cheat people just about sums up his wasted life. Yet, even for a man like Peer there awaited a woman with a faithful heart ready to shower him with love, should he decide to return. Abandoned twice already, Solveig remained hopeful that they might delight in each other’s love one day.

We can relate to Peer on many levels. Some of us struggle with fear (heights, spiders, people, risk, death), some struggle with trying to be perfect (which leads to arrogance), and most of us have a hard time choosing to do the morally right thing. How many times have we willingly gone off the wrong path only to get lost even more?

Edvard Grieg consoles our broken spirit through the beautiful melody of “Solveig’s Song” from the play, Peer Gynt. He illuminates our soul with hope and the promise that we will still be loved no matter how dire circumstances may become.

 

 The winter may go, and the spring disappear,
 Next summer, too, may fade, and the whole long year,
 But you will be returning, in truth, I know,
 And I will wait for you as I promised long ago.

 May God guide and keep you, wherever you may go,
 Upon you His blessing and mercy bestow.
 And here I will await you till you are here;
 And if you are in Heaven, I'll meet you there.

 

Romance: Andante by Korngold

Oftentimes, I gaze at the sky and watch birds glide effortlessly in and out of white wispy clouds. Their wings spread widely, they seem to go wherever the breeze directs them. I wonder- when they soar over purple mountains, shimmery waters, and fields of gold, do they realize that their existence is a gift to freely view the majesties of the world? Do they also know that they have gifted us with original songs long before we tried to strum a lyre or sing Gregorian chants?

The second movement, Romance, of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto Op. 35 reminds me of a songbird pouring out her heart telling stories about her travels. She has been to all the wonders of the world and has perceived a universal truth about humans. Leading extremely busy lives just to earn a day’s wage, most of them miss the miracles that happen everyday. Their spirits hardened due to the demands of society, people do not hear the free musical concerts provided by her fellow companions or the sagacious words offered under the shade by grand oak trees. She wonders- when will they take notice of the warm embrace of sunshine or the meadows of colorful flowers smiling directly at them?

With life’s mysterious curveballs thrown at me regularly, I have learned to give myself ten minutes everyday to love the world around me. I hope you do the same; for, a cherished moment lasts a lifetime.

On Wings of Song by Mendelssohn

Ladies, have you ever been wooed or serenaded by someone? I do not mean going on dinner and movie dates or to karaoke bars. I’m talking about sharing a moment with one who recites a poem to describe that flowers cannot compare to your beauty, or performs a lyrical melody that mimics sounds of nature’s songbirds and streams. The spirit becomes completely entranced by the outpouring of another’s love. Isn’t it true that every woman desires to be the object of pursuit once in her life? While some women disapprove of men with this kind of sentimental essence, I find them endearing. Perhaps it is that when I was a little girl, my Dad wrote many poems that expressed fatherly love for his angelic daughter and sang those words to simple folk tunes or music he recalled hearing over the radio.

Heinrich Heine was a German writer who was deeply in love. He dreamed that his love would come true. When he published his unrequited love poems into Book of Songs, Felix Mendelssohn, an eminent composer of his day, felt Heine’s yearning desire and immediately strived to make his words come alive. Mendelssohn originally produced this piece for voice and piano. As artists “cover” other artists today, musicians from two centuries ago have transcribed original songs for their own instruments all the time. I particularly love this clip because the piano rendition and the artworks perfectly correspond with each stanza of the poem. Here we have two incredibly romantic men whose hearts are abundant with love, geniuses in their respective field, creating one of the most heartfelt love songs of their time.

On Wings of Song, Sweetheart, I carry you away, Away to the fields of the Ganges, Where I know the most beautiful place. There is a garden of red flax In the quiet moonlight; Expect the lotus flowers Their charming little sister. The violets giggle and cherish, And gaze up at the stars; Secretly tell the roses Are fragrant fairy ear. Hopping near and listen the pious, wise gazelles; And noise in the distance The sacred river’s waves. There we will lay down Under the palm tree Peace and love and drink And dream our blissful dream.