Music speaks to my soul in ways that even words cannot reach. I do not have much musical talent. My dad played in a band, and my mom and sister had pure singing voices. I, fortunately, received the talent for appreciating music in generous amounts.

Songs tell stories of people, places, and times

During my childhood, there was always music playing in our house. There was a radio in every room, even in the bathroom. As teenagers, we recorded our favourite songs on the radio on cassette tapes. We gave my mother a list of songs she had to record while we were at school. My sister knew the words of every popular hit, and I just made up my own words.

With my mother’s 70th birthday, I put together a CD set of her 40 favourite songs as a gift. She chose songs representative of all her life stages and told me the story behind each one. During her birthday celebration, she handed out copies of the CDs to her friends and family. A particular song on the CD close to my heart is the Māori Love Song. She told me that song played on the radio in the car on the way home just after my birth.

I also put together a Top 40 iTunes playlist for myself and chose songs that remind me of people close to me. I listen to it every Thursday when I clean the house, and then my soul visits everyone while the song that connects us plays.

Music is the language of the heart

Music has a physical, emotional and spiritual impact on us. It has the power to excite and entertain an entire stadium but can also provide soothing comfort. Moviemakers use it very well to create emotion and feeling while the plot unfolds. People tell stories through musicals, jazz, rap, and opera. Music is a medium for worship and praise in churches. It also forms part of culture and folk music to give people a sense of unity.

Music in Switzerland

Music plays a critical role in Swiss culture. Many opportunities exist to develop and live out musical talent. In summer, there is an organ performance in Zurich’s mother church (Fraumünster) once a week. Different church organists can share their talent on the impressive organ in the historic Gothic building. My soul is in heaven when I listen to pure organ sounds.

During the summer, there are many music festivals and concerts. There are outdoor concerts where people can picnic while listening to symphony music along the lake. We attended the Lucerne Music Festival in the large (KKL) concert hall in Lucerne. Zander and I watched a Star Wars movie on a big screen whilst a live symphony orchestra provided the soundtrack. In December, we plan to experience the 007 Sky Fall movie with live music.

The Alphorn is a traditional Swiss musical instrument. Years ago, the shepherds used it to call cows from the pasture when it was time for milking. Later they used the Alphorn for folk music and tourism, and now it has become a national symbol. We often meet a person or group of people playing this Alphorn at touristy places.

I love Plato’s words:

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.

Kind regards

Emsia