On Classical Music

A recent rediscovery.

Welcome to the Friday UnRecipe post for paid subscribers, all about an old passion that I’ve rediscovered. Next Friday, paid subscribers will receive a recipe for a roasted eggplant with lemon. As always, thanks for being here! You can read more about my work and what I do on my website here.

Before we get started today, just a quick reminder that ticket sales close tonight for the creative retreat I’m hosting at Red Clover Ranch in Wisconsin with

Emily

! There’s just one spot left…is it waiting for you?! Learn more below.

I grew up with grandparents who went out of their way to put us in front of classical music: my Grandma took us to concerts that the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra put on for children, starring a giant cat called Fiddlesticks. My Papa, who lived and breathed classical music, saved seats for us in the patrons-only section of the orchestra concerts so we could get up close to the action.

Fiddlesticks appears to be alive and well, too! Concert info for Pittsburgh people is here.

That music was all around us, all the time. It became part of the soundtrack to my childhood. I knew that Grandma would be in the kitchen, listening to opera and cooking when we arrived at her apartment. I knew that when we pulled up the driveway, Papa would be blasting classical music in the basement as he puttered.

I knew the way that the audience’s swell would settle as the lights went down. I knew the sound of the ruffle of programs that preceded the first raise of a conductor’s baton. I knew the names of composers on programs and that you shouldn’t clap in the pauses between movements. It felt natural, a part of me.

Then, all of the sudden, it stopped. I got to college and started listening to curated playlists and whatever the designated floor DJ was playing. Classical music was still there, of course, floating through an open window at the School of Music, but I wasn’t seeking it out anymore.

All of that has changed again over the last year. Have you ever had a prelude by Bach pop up in your Spotify Wrapped? It’s just as cool as it sounds!