Vienna is famous for architecture, Sacher-torte, and the Strauss family. (Other favourite composers & cakes may be added to the list!)
First performed in 1867, “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II has been consistently popular- and deservedly so. Last week we were in Vienna, and saw the Strauss Memorial (photo above) gleaming brightly in the hot sunshine. That evening, we returned to the concert hall nearby for a live concert. It was fabulous!
An eight-piece orchestra, an operatic soprano with an equally good tenor, and two ballet dancers interpreting some of the music- it was a real highlight in our holiday. Naturally for Vienna, the Radetsky March and the Blue Danube formed the climax of the concert.
Music is a heaven-sent gift. I cannot imagine a world without music! Speaking to our hearts as well as heads, the golden melodies and harmonies can bring profound joy, or tears to our eyes.
Whatever your taste in music- from classical to jazz, country to soul (etc) – our memories are often attached to particular pieces or performers. Such music lifts our soul and can influence our choices and actions. Sometimes it can break or heal our hearts. Music has power.
It can also provoke disharmony in our relationships! Every family endures those moments when the “next generation” embraces some dreadful racket… It’s just not Mozart/Bach/Mahler… these bands are nothing like Dylan/Beatles/Iron Maiden… we say. Then dance music changes. The waltz was overtaken by the scandalous Charleston, rap and garage replaced Pan’s People, tap dancing by Fred & Ginger was torpedoed by break dancing. (I’ve exhausted my limited knowledge of dance so I’ll stop there).
I tried to learn violin once- it was excruciating for anyone within earshot! So I moved over to guitar. (OK within my limits, but no genius.)
Over the last thirty or so years, worship music has changed repeatedly. Devotees of any one preference moan about “that other horrible stuff” but change is here to stay. Interestingly, one of the best musicians EVER wrote a song that tells us profound truth about music, joy, and God…
Sing a new song to the LORD; he has done wonderful things! By his own power and holy strength he has won the victory. The LORD announced his victory; he made his saving power known to the nations. He kept his promise to the people of Israel with loyalty and constant love for them. All people everywhere have seen the victory of our God. Sing for joy to the LORD, all the earth; praise him with songs and shouts of joy! Sing praises to the LORD! Play music on the harps! Blow trumpets and horns, and shout for joy to the LORD, our king. Roar, sea, and every creature in you; sing, earth, and all who live on you! Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the LORD, because he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.
- Psalm 96:1-9
Whichever song style we regard as our golden melody, provided we mean it sincerely in Spirit and Truth, God accepts it as worthy. God seems to like a wide range of music! Funny, that.
And the Danube, sadly, isn’t blue!
The Reflectionary 