from Stanislaw Warda: The serious music

Classical music – considerations, (variety).

Music has a special place in life for many people so composers of it are a special kind of people. I have never known how they are doing their masterpieces, what their workspace looks like, what is most important in it.

I wonder how the most beautiful work is made. Is it started with music, maybe lyrics or title? What attracts attention first? What is the easiest to do, lyrics, music or title? It seems that the title should be the last, but sometimes our life observations tell us that the title comes first.  I think the creators of the most beautiful music have a huge conflict. I wonder, in the case of its creation, what is the most important. What is the role of music compared to the role of lyrics? From the name "music" it seems obvious that the most important thing is music, but I wonder if good lyrics don't make this music the most beautiful piece.

How do composers create pieces of music to ready lyrics?  In  case of writing good music for a finished text, for example a poem, it seems more difficult. It is much more difficult if the music must be created for well-known poems. It seems that the author has limited possibilities to change something. In this case, it is enough to remind about changing the musical chord. But what happens if the composer is overly sensitive and stubborn and claims that only this chord suits his creativity? In such a case, we have a serious conflict. It is fine if, for example, the composer knows the author of the text. He can just pick up his cell phone and make some compromise. It is much worse if the second author of the music or lyrics already is not walked our earth for a long time; Bach, Chopin or Liszt. Some composers create music and lyrics. In this case, it will be much easier. The author can choose what he wants to do first, or replace something, if not too much, with one for another. Fortunately, I said to myself you should not worry about it. You will not be a composer.

Many composers claim and express opinions that composers do not have to follow original lyrics; can skip some words or chords of music.  I have to admit it can be a good excuse and justification for less talented artists; composer a musica and lyric as well, if the lyric has to be prepared to the original music. Those who are the most talented do not have to change any chord of music and any word of lyric.

Some classical music hits are timeless. I mean not only the most famous parts of operas and musicals or movies, but also instrumental pieces. I would say that this instrument is even more beautiful. Those the most famous pieces like arias had known and humming many people. However, lyrics of music even if is the most beautiful cased that listener is pushed in some frames and those frames limited his emotions and other senses and often only work in these limited spaces.  Instrumental music is free of it.  In this kind of music the lyrics do not have any influence on our imaginations and emotions. The lack of lyrics caused our imagination and emotion of listeners to be not limited. It caused each of us it takes music in its own unique way. 

The listeners have unlimited options listening to instrumental music in their imaginations However I noticed some regularity. Many people portrayed those the most beautiful pieces with nostalgia and longing. It is usually most for love. It would be a reason that many of them have sad titles like the lonely Shepard. 

Should The Lonely Shepard be lonely to express the beauty of music? When I was listening to the Lonely Shepard, I imagined that this kind of music was composed in the past, for example in the 19th century. It would be story where young, desperate and lonely man who guard a hard of hips somewhere in the Italian Alps, He dreams to meet beautiful woman, fall in love and lead happily life. When I knew that this piece was composed at the end of 20th century, I was a little disappointed. It was the time of my young years and to be honest I did not feel lonely too much at that time. However  my imagination sailed immediately farther. That man would be lonely, when we compare him to the contemporary Shepard. Those “contemporary” at least have cellphones, internet and access to tik -tok. Now the title of this kind piece would be Successful Shepard; why not, farmers do not belong to the poor group of society.

My deliberation about what is the most important gave me an answer for my second favorite piece which is a funny story.

My sentimental mood during listening to that piece gave to my mind the title of it. The Ballade about poor Adeline.  I loved this piece and always when I had a little time, on the way to my work, from work etc. Considering my limited English I was wondering why she has to be poor Adeline. The melancholy mood would be  because she suggested me that that piece was composed when women did not have their right so their life would be poor. My imagination was fighting and posted a question whether Rich Adeline would be less attractive at that time? We probably say that someone is poor, so we feel better that someone is finally dependent on us. "Poor Adelaide."  “Rich Adeline” would not be dependent, it would be like Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. "It can bring more trouble, so if she stays poor, it is better.  I thought in this way because somehow, I was not able to imagine that Poor Adeline would be created in our time. Somehow, I cannot imagine Britney Spears or Taylor Swift expressing this piece. My reflections were interrupted when I found out that favorite piece Poor Adeline is in reality Pour Adeline, the French title which after translation mean Ballade For Adeline and do not describe poor girl from the previous time but is contemporary piece composed by the French composer to express his love to the newborn daughter. One more reason to study other languages more precisely.