| | I showed this video to my classes last year when I was in Hong Kong. I’m glad RTHK produced this program to provoke many of our thoughts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwcunTryZp4
One of the reasons why I said so is, Hong Kong, being one of the most competitive cities in Asia, has twisted much the value of music education in the last few decades. While most everybody is on his/her way to pursue prodigies, techniques, phenomenal performances, competitions, awards, recognitions, and money made by the profession, etc., it always comes to my thoughts that do we really love music as music itself? Did we miss the real fun? Or is music just being a tool to exalt ourselves in a superficial way?
I daresay all musical trainings, lessons, techniques, performances, festivals, awards, and even brands names musical instruments are merely means to achieve the higher ends – good music. No matter what religions we embrace, one thing we can’t deny is good music is always so enjoyable. Or should we put it this way, that good music is one of the amazing creations from above to fulfill the expressions of human souls?
It is always a privilege to be able to play and participate in music related activities because the process and experience is often so gratifying. Funny that when we want to enjoy more, we will naturally want to put in more effort in learning, preparing, getting better instruments and accessories, as well as acquiring a higher technique when time goes by. From this point of view, various music festivals, concerts, and recitals provide us excellent platforms to express in no doubt.
It is a pity, therefore, to see so many people nowadays happen to put things the other way around. Is it because of the growing utilitarianism that the pragmatic and commercial value should weigh way beyond the aesthetic side of music learning/making? To me, this is something that goes against a higher purpose of human living…that our lives should really embody something more than winning human recognitions.
I still like music festivals and competitions, but definitely not the ways I liked some 15 years ago. Due to my faith to Christ, I believe God makes everything beautiful in His time. Just think about these:
How many keys are there on a piano?
How many notes can human hear audibly that are comfortable to the ears?
88? Not really that many, eh? Yet the number of beautiful pieces out there and yet coming are enormous. With all the unlimited possibilities, shall we say that music as an art itself is already a MIRACALOUS creation? Maybe that can explain why Christians like to worship and praise God in His house with music as a sacrifice.
Anyhow, isn’t it good that music can be enjoyed by everyone in different ways? We can choose to play or simply to amuse it, depending on our musical gifts. Yet like all other art forms, we will surely miss a lot of fun if we cannot see the inner beauty of it.
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| | Posted 6/8/2009 8:57 PM - 1 View
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