It’s that time of year again - memories of deaths and funerals - photos appear in my feed and remind me of who isn’t here anymore - I drink too much and only later guess at why. It’s depressing really - you think you’re out the other side and suddenly you get slammed.
I’ve been listening to sad piano music again - the very genesis of this whole music to concept - the track Memories I wrote for my dad that started the list - No-kë’s exquisite Departures that was wrapped up in Charlotte and now this beautifully evocative track from Johannes Hirschmann.
It’s that opening descending figure in the right hand - it just grabs you along with the steadily descending left - as the track develops it reminded me of where this whole list started from - the blending of beauty with sadness, of mixing despair with hope - of using minor keys and subtly morphing them into major melodies and demonstrating through music that there is, even though you may not see it now, a life worth living after loss.
I love the genesis of this track - it appears that Johannes and I have similar approaches to theme development - an idea may be captured in one instant and then be incubated for days, for months, even years until it reaches maturity and is published to the world. Here’s the first time the theme came into existence - back in 2015…
Here it is in 2017 - this time in a different key:
Here’s what Johannes had to say about the track:
Johannes has a new album “Fragments” coming out this month on April 19th. You can learn more about it from the links below:
Follow us hereYou can learn more about Johannes Hirschmann here:
About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
Latest Posts
Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
24 September 2022
What’s the point?
You ever find yourself asking that?
The point of this playlist is to bring succor to people who are grieving. That’s it. We listen to and feature songs that we hope people can resonate with and perhaps elicit a cathartic release – at the very least – to help them feel less alone…
Strange Beauty – First Aid Kit
18 September 2022
It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it.
And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
So it’s September – and for the Grieve To list – that means our thoughts turn to suicide.
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.