I had an idea in the car on the way to school this morning. The kids usually HATE my music. Dave Brubeck, Vivaldi, Brand New. They all get a big “BOO” from the kids when I turn them on in the car. This week I’ve been listening to Mahler’s 5th Symphony and I though I would try an experiment in the car. I said, “let’s play a game. I’ll turn on a song with no lyrics and you guys tell me what you think it is about.” Here is their interpretations of each movement of this big symphony.
One: Trauermarsch – “It sounds like they are going to War.” “Something dangerous is about to happen.” “Are they in a fight?” “It sounds like they are in love.” “Is she going to miss him while he is at war?”
Two: Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz – “Yep, they are definitely fighting.” “I hope he doesn’t die.” “He misses her.”
Three: Scherzo. Kräftig, nicht zu schnell – “They won the fight!” “He’s coming back home to her!” “Are they going to have a baby?”
Four: Adagietto. Sehr langsam – “I think someone died.” “But also a baby was born.” “This sounds happy and sad at the same time.”
Five: Rondo-Finale. Allegro – Allegro giocoso. Frisch – “The little girl is growing up.” “It sounds like she had a baby of her own.” “The war guy and the lady are watching their grand child play in the yard.” “This is a happy ending but there is still some memories of war.”
Listen to the first minute of each of these movements and tell me music isn’t a innate language.
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