Channelling Beethoven - Personal Statement Example

Channeling Beethoven Music is an important part of our lives. Its ability to make us feel and empathize with its melody makes it one of the most powerful tools that we as men has created. At the same time, its capacity to be able to understand us and let us know that we are not the only ones having the same emotions makes the impact of music even more amazing. When I think about it and assess how it continually affects my life, even though I must say I am just a mere observer, I am astonished as to how much my life can be summed up through the simple ability of music to affect people. Music takes a big place in my heart and the first time I heard classical music was in my creative art class last semester. Music means a lot of things to me because I like to listen to it everywhere and anywhere. It makes me relax and remember the good times with my friends back home. I feel that music speaks to my soul, and sometimes, I feel music sends me a message to do something or to avoid something. I feel that music is one of the soul’s languages so I cannot live without it. Also, music makes me feel happy and even if I’m in a bad mood, music can easily change that. Finally, music means everything to me, happiness and sadness simultaneously. I like music because it represents me as a person. I like classical music that was played by the most popular pianists in the world like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven. Both of them are great but I prefer Beethoven because when I listen to his symphonies I remember my family and immediately feel happy. Für Elise reminds me of my life and my toys when I was a child while Moonlight Sonata reminds me of my parents. However, all styles and types of music are great to listen to, and in my opinion each style has a suitable time and place for it. For example, if my football or soccer team won in a match, I will listen to a certain song so I can share the good time with them indirectly through music. Also, if I’m mad of someone and I do not have good words to say to them, I will give him/her a song so that he/she can somehow understand my feelings. I like the life story of Beethoven and how he became one of the most famous composers of all time even if there were life problems which he had to go through like being deaf and being detached to his family especially his father who is known to be very strict. Early on he already showed signs of greatness. At the age of 12 he was already a published composer. He was brought up into a family of musicians and Mozart was even quoted to have said about him, “Keep your eyes on him; some day he will give the world something to talk about.” He did. He became a very famous virtuoso and unlike Mozart, with his success came financial wealth. He moved to Vienna for the tutelage of another great composer, Haydn. But their separation as master and apprentice was not thoroughly explained as to its reason. Later on, Mozart lived in Vienna under the request of three aristocrats who paid him handsomely in return for the favor. This was something unprecedented until the fame of Beethoven in the city of art lovers who patronized his music and adored him (Kamien, p.194). The nine symphonies are his most famous work. He was able to bring together music that is classical and combine it with the romantic which is what has become a trend since he first introduced it. His creations range from forceful to calm and lyrical which makes it so diverse. His disability when he was 29 which almost led him to end his life became a small obstacle in his music (Kamien, p.196-197). This made him even more admirable. To think that a deaf person could produce such beautiful music is nothing short of astounding. What is most interesting about Beethoven is his gift to turn something that is so simple and make it genius. Such is the character of his music and this is what makes his contribution to the world embedded all throughout the years. It was the night before the start of the final examinations last semester. I have been up studying with the music turned on as I listen to Beethoven to calm my nerves. I always like how the soothing melody of his music doesn’t interfere with my studying. Oftentimes before I would listen to contemporary sounds but I noticed that I get caught up with its familiarity that I tend to sing along instead of study. This does not happen when I listen to classical music as there are no lyrics to sing along to. But the melody is so familiar it is like it is what I do regularly. I especially love how I forget the music and all the other distractions once I am already deep into understanding my lessons. This is why I make it a habit to listen to the classics. I had just finished reading my lecture notes on one subject when my phone rang. It was my best friend from home, Moe. “Hello,” I answered. “Hello, how have you been? Aren’t you forgetting something,” he asked. I realized I forgot his birthday. “Happy birthday, I’m really sorry I forgot. It’s our final exam and I have been studying really hard.” We have been friends forever. Moe had always been there for me and I have so many good memories that are with him. It had always been that we are the first ones to greet each other a happy birthday. By 12 o’clock midnight I would send him a message when it’s his birthday and he does the same for me. Back in Jordan we would go out together with some other friends and celebrate till late at night. I got so caught up with my studies together with the time difference that I wasn’t able to remember to greet him. I felt bad that it was the first time this happened. It’s almost like I broke a sacred tradition. “It’s okay, I was just wondering if you’re okay since I haven’t heard from you in a long time,” he said. “I’m fine. It’s just hard sometimes. It feels like I have to learn a number of things at the same time you know. The language and the lessons. Plus, the people and the culture are different,” I told him. “I know you can do it. We’ll make up for it when you get back,” he assured me. “Thank you, I really needed that. I miss you all so much I can’t wait to go back home.” Afterwards we talked some more about what’s happening in each of our lives. Then we said our goodbyes as I have to get back to studying. Talking to him reminded me of the things that I have to do. As much as I miss being in Jordan, I have to remember to soak in all the things that I am currently a part of. This is not something that happens every day and each of our experiences shapes us into who we will become in the future. Much like Beethoven, who produced the most wonderful music during the times when he was out of his element, I would like to be able to get what I can get out of my education. While in Vienna, he had achieved fame and fortune that no other composer before him has received. When he became deaf, his impairment did not hinder him from becoming who he truly is through his songs. I may not be a virtuoso like Beethoven but I hope to be able to overcome the small things in my life that stops me from finishing what I have started. My obstacles may be miniscule in comparison but this does not mean that I cannot be who I want to be through the experiences that I aim to have while in school. When I think about it, we are all composers of our lives and we make our own music. Bibliography Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. New York: McGraw Hill Companies, 2006. Read More