There is a piece of music that I have, for many years, loved. It is not a piece to be hummed along to, or have playing in the background, it needs your time. A few minutes concentration to really listen, allowing its beauty to lap over you like waves from a lazy sea. The piece I am referring to is Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror) by the Estonian composer Arvo Part. The simplicity of the score belies the great skill needed to perform it. Originally written for piano and violin, there have been other variations, but the original is my preferred version, surely it is the sound the composer had in his heart when composing?
Last Saturday it was the subject of a Radio 4 programme called Soul Music. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0137vv2
This series takes a piece of music and various people share their memories, emotions and thoughts, the previous week had been Wichita Line Man. Personal favourites from the archives include Simple Gifts, and Bach's Goldberg Variations. Popular and classical music all have their turn and each programme is a delight. This weeks, however, proved to be amongst the best. Stories of loss, delight, misery and a happy ending. Particularly poignant was artist Mary Hustead's tale of her son, given up for adoption many years before, finding her through one of her exhibitions partly inspired by Spiegel im Spiegel.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11124004 ( follow this link to a recent article)
I am sure that most of us have music or songs that have heartfelt meaning to us, take a little time in your day to listen to Soul Music and know that you are not alone.
