Music

I am not a musician but at least two of my children are serious musicians, both very talented although neither is technically a professional.  I don't have a particular taste in music.  I am more interested in the effect that various performances have on me.  This year in July I attended the performance in the LDS Conference Center that marked the 24th of July with a performance of Oscar Hammerstein pieces performed variously by the choir, the orchestra at Temple Square, the organist and some soloists with noted careers.  My favorite piece was a thunderous performance of 'The Wedding Processional from 'The Sound of Music' on the organ. I was enchanted with most of the performances.  I was already familiar with all the pieces so the way they were performed was the key to my enjoyment  Today a fairly talented pianist performed the song 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief' during church.  She 'accompanied' the choir, but her performance was full of fancy flare that showed off her mastery of the keyboard with slight reference to the emotions roused by the words of the song.  I could tell she was an accomplished musician but I was not moved by her performance, her technique got in the way.  In the Temples organists are asked to play simple renditions of the hymns, drawing attention to the memories we all have of well known lyrics with a smooth performance of the melodies.  When I hear an unaccustomed melody or song I listen with an attitude that is willing to enjoy, but still a bit judgemental.  I am grateful for the power of music to invoke memory.