SAYINGS - BACH, BEETHOVEN

SAYINGS OF THE SAGES

Johann Sebastian Bach lived from (l685 to 1750), for 65 years and Ludwig van Beethoven came along twenty years later (l770-1827) and spent his fifty seven years writing the opera Fidelio, many masses, cantatas, an oratorio, ten violin sonatas, five cello sonatas, eight piano trios, as well as many others. He greatly admired Bach, Brahms, Wagner, Schubert and Schumann. Mozart was so delighted with Beethoven that he offered to guide him. But since Beethoven's father had an alcohol addition he had to return home and support his siblings. He became deaf and did most of his best work after that. Beethoven had the following saying permanently framed on his desk. "I am that which is, I am all that was, that is, and that shall be."
Bach became blind the last year of his life. He was married twice and fathered twenty children. Orphaned at ten his elder brother, also a musician, took him in and gave him music lessons.Three of Bach's sons became musicians. Some of his descendants are no doubt alive today. Assessing his own music he said, "In the architecture of my music, I want to demonstrate to the world the architecture of a new and beautiful social commonwealth . . . The harmony of the stars in the heavens, and the yearning for brotherhood in the heart of man."
The wonderful music left these two musicians, music that makes even plants thrive, may yet help to lead us into this brotherhood in the hearts of mankind. Thank you Johann and Ludwig.
How great it could be if we could tune into one of their concerts and listen to these symphonies in their unusual instruments of the day. I can almost hear them now.
The music spilled is silvery notes into the starry night,
To dance on ribbons of moonbeams in rhythmic patterns bright.
Its beauty struck a kindred note, I could not quite define,
I longed to understand its touch, and make its secret mine.
I peered within the portals and watched a baton swing,
To draw from each musician, the notes that music sings.
The music joined with nature's sounds, to touch the secret soul,
Its subtle notes in symbol spoke of purposes and goals.
As each note blends with daily thoughts, and whisper, point the way,
From misty realms of theory to life's melody each day.
Suzie-Q