Man, Music and the World

 

Music has the ability to move people, and therefore, by extension, to move the world. It is part of who we are as people. One only needs watch a child at play and at dance to see the music and movement given us before the world around us tries to beat it out of us. Music tells the story, sometimes without words, of who we are as a people, of who we are as the human race. For music can transcend language and cultural barriers.

But, there is an important ingredient. We must listen.

In his 2008 TED talk, Benjamin Zander talks about his love and passion for classical music, a love he believes exists undiscovered in almost all of us. He talks of the passion for music found in both the listener and performer. He tells a story, individual to each listener, through the music, attempting to awaken possibilities in the listeners. When this occurs, it is seen in the shining eyes of the listener.

You know, I have a definition of success. For me it’s very simple. It’s not about wealth and fame and power. It’s about how many shining eyes do I have around me?

He encourages all of his listeners to ask themselves, “who are we being?’ One person can make a difference through word and deed.

Music moves man. Man moves mankind. Mankind makes a better world.