i often forget how important music is to me, and it comes as a surprise – no idea why really! but there is something about polyphonic to late baroque music that just soothes my soul. well, it is mostly the use of the harmonic progression, and the? beautiful hanging and resolutions of these. bliss. I love later music as well, and my favourites are from all musical ages – even the 20th century represented – was listening to dives and lazarus on the way back from SOTP and that does the trick too, but lots of the 20th century composers i like either reference much earlier styles, or are predominantly harmonc – such as philip glass.
but my soul was vastly soothed today on my drive with the baroque. aaaaghhhhhhh.
Ahhh, I like baroque too. I have no idea what you mean by harmonic progression, hanging and resolutions, having no real musical vocabulary at all, but Pachelbel Canon in D is my absolute fave piece of music, even if it’s got a bit old by being used everywhere!
Joanna – thank you sooo much for your comment! I was struck into silence by not having a clue what Helen was going on about
Have dug out our set of The Baroque Experience by The Academy of Ancient Music (Christopher Hogwood) to see if I can enlighten myself!
oh dear. i was trying to be descriptive rather than technical – you know, when you can hear a note hanging over from the last cord that then moves to fit in with the new chord. ermm. just can’t think how to write this!
It was very soothing. Think I’ll be playing it quite a bit.
baroque is my absolute favourite, closely followed by medieval and renaissance.
Can’t tell I’m a recorder player can you!!
Totally agree, it’s that cycle of dissonance and resolution, coupled with the absolute despair of some of the slower movements, that seem to capture heart pulling emotions far better than any slushy romantic period music can.
If I’m stressed or I have a headache, then shutting myself in a room and playing my favourite baroque pieces for hours will always lift me. its like putting on your favourite slippers.