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LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC WOULD BE A MISTAKE No.9/05.06

Summertime. Music and Silence?


After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. (Aldous Huxley - writer)


A long time ago, for me, summer was associated with silence. Traffic stopped, streets emptied, schools, theatres, and concert halls closed their doors. Life itself was slowing down. Silence was supposed to provide rest and relaxation. Summertime reminds me of… a melody. 'Summertime', indeed. And – of silence.


Silence is the space between sound or words, the margins on a book or around a picture or photograph. This is a place and time for reflection, maybe understanding. It is an immanent part of every field of art, including music.


And perhaps the most in music. Pauses are musical symbols that denote silence and its duration. Beginners often confuse pauses with 'respites', simply breaks or empty time. In fact, not necessarily needed.


Nothing could be further from the truth. Can you imagine a book without margins? Or maybe removing as unnecessary spaces between words and paragraphs? Economically: will it fit more, will it be cheaper? Like an overloaded, squeezed, and bursting suitcase for holidays? As a result, there will be chaos, and that costs a lot.


Silence or empty space enables hearing, seeing, understanding beauty or wisdom. It arranges, establishes proportions, perspective, as if architecture, it is ESSENTIAL.


What's about life? The opposite seems to be the case. The growth in population and degree of wealth (not everywhere to everybody, unfortunately) has meant that summer is now associated with noisy crowds in tourist and recreation areas. Sometimes packed as that holiday suitcase. Always eagerly awaiting attractions and fun.


However, music accompanies us always and everywhere at thousands of concerts, festivals, and all other kinds of events. OK. That's good. I enjoy it as a musician.


And when the noise dies down (for it never ceases!), the melody of 'Summertime' comes to me, to my mind and heart.


'Summertime' stands as an iconic melody within the realm of classical jazz. It finds its home in the renowned American opera 'Porgy and Bess' penned by George Gershwin (1898-1937).


Summertime

And the livin' is easy.

Fish are jumping

And cotton is high...


Gershwin, hailing from immigrant roots in Odessa, found his path to musical greatness amidst the bustling landscape of New York. Initially a humble music shop attendant, he embarked on a journey of self-study that led him to become one of the most celebrated composers in American history.…


One of these mornings

You're going to rise up singing

Then you'll spread your wings

And you'll take the sky...


To stop the flow of music would be to stop time itself, incredible and inevitable (Aaron Copland – composer)


PS. My friend in Kuwait never wanted to take a vacation in the summer. 'When Kuwait was emptying and slowing down, you could see it,' he said, 'and more appreciate, despite the scorching heat.'


Enough words.


Let us play: George Gershwin - 'Summertime' from the opera 'Porgy and Bess'



Written by

Cezary Owerkowicz

Co-founder of Kuwait Music Academy and

Director of Treasure of Talents Festival in Kuwait



 
 
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