I bet most people don't know the rest of that quote after thinking it says "soothe the savage beast". But I know it to be so true. I couldn't live without music. Take my eyes, my nose, my mouth, but leave me my ears so I can still hear the babbling brooks, the humming bees, the clanging church bells, the thunder of the sky, the serenading of the birds. I think of so much in terms of music. (Not theory for goodness sake!) But you know in the way an architect thinks in terms of design and form; the way a mechanic thinks in terms of how this fits into that and what makes something work and move and function. How certain creatures work together like sections in an orchestra to create their own symphonies in nature and even the rhythms of industry can be turned into percussion for a new anthem. Of course not everything is music to my ears. For those sounds that drive me crazy, I just conceptualize a bad school band during rehearsal.
I think people envision heaven in terms of what seems like paradise to them now. I envision it with the most brilliant of orchestras, every band and singer I have ever loved, and the opportunities not just to listen in the front row, but to play or sing with all of them at any time I ever want. And, I would sound really really good! In the meantime though, music certainly makes me feel like I'm closer to my idea of a heaven. By far, I have always felt some of the deepest emotion and inspiration by participating in or being aurally swept away in music. I am a savage beast without music. It would be worse than having no more sun. And I find that when my mood is particularly low, or I am especially lazy or dull, it's because I have lapsed from making it, or allowing it to overwhelm me. We all have those things which speak the loudest to us. The stuff that actually does soften our stubborn, rock hard heads, and loosens the knots inside of us. For me...you guessed it.“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” Johann Sebastian Bach
