Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"

[wlotus]

The local classical music station is playing "Rhapsody in Blue". I have known for years that I "don't like" the piece, but I couldn't say why. Today I am sitting through the piece, and now I know why listening to it is very uncomfortable.

From the first wailing notes, the tune invokes a sense of intense, unfulfilled longing, an emotion I am all too familiar with from my past. Later parts of the piece tell of the frustration of chasing fulfillment in vain. It's a painful cycle I would rather not relive.

Comments

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Hah! This is the first peice I played when my Japanese housemate moved out! The exulatant wail at the beginning was the firsat thin I heard in my head when she finally walked out the door.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I remember you writing about that! One of the things I love about art is that the same piece can stir very different emotions in different people.

[mage-girl.livejournal.com]

That's interesting.

I really like Rhapsody in Blue because to me, it just tells of a meandering story....

and it's so beautiful in a heart breaking sort of way.

But I understand where you are coming from...and you know?? That part of your life is done with now. I wonder if you could redo memory notes with this song....



K.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I can reprogram myself to be moved in a different way by that piece; it's affected me that way ever since I was a young child. Right now it is enough for me to finally have words to explain what emotions the piece invokes in me.

The fact that part of my life is over is another reason I'd rather not relive those emotions. I am relieved to be done with it! :-)

[ciardhapagan.livejournal.com]

Funny, to me the first part of it is joyous, then bad things happen in rabid succession, but in the end the joy returns. To me I've always liked it because it feels upbeat to me- you'll go through hellish points in life, but keep fighting and you'll win.