Importance of music
Author: samcho // Category: Recent Posts, Request, The Life Line, Tips and stuff you might want to know =PBelow is a short essay I got from another blog
Yesterday I finished my second year of studying Maths at the University of Manchester. This year has been the hardest I’ve ever worked for anything and I think one of the major reasons I’m still (relatively) sane has been the company of Classic FM during those seemingly endless hours writing differential equations etc.
I find the music played has a soothing effect which enables me to focus my concentration on the work in front of me. I don’t claim to be particularly knowledgeable in this field, I’ll leave any expert analysis of the symphonies of Haydn to Al, but I know what I like.
The first CD I ever got was The Planets Suite by Gustav Holst and is still, after all these years, my favourite composition. Other favourites include Vaughan-Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’, Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’, Pachelbel’s ‘Canon’ and pretty much anything by Beethoven and Mozart. This list is by no means exhaustive; there are many more pieces I like, many I don’t know the names of!
Listening to Classic FM for so many hours means that, inevitably, I discover new pieces. The one I’d briefly like to mention is ‘Parce Mihi Domine’ by Cristobal de Morales. It is one of the most relaxing pieces of music I’ve ever heard – I highly recommend you give it a listen if you don’t know it.
I’m sure most of you know that Classic FM broadcast a request programme every weekday from 1pm for two hours. During the January exam period I decided I’d send in a request by email (Venus by Holst since you ask). It wasn’t played during the show so imagine my surprise when the following morning a member of the Classic FM team phoned me and asked if they could play me a piece on the show later. I explained that I had an exam that afternoon so he said he would try me again the following day. True to his word he phoned 24 hours later but said they couldn’t play Venus as it had been on air recently. I suggested about 6 or 7 pieces and finally they said Beethoven’s ‘Emperor Concerto’ would do nicely. I was then asked to imagine I was speaking to the presenter (Jamie Crick) and introduce myself, explain briefly where I was, what I was doing and what I wanted to hear. Hence, my debut on national radio was a bit of a disappointment – not much of a request show if they wouldn’t play any of my first 6 or so choices. Also the illusion of a live show was shattered as my ‘speech’ was recorded over 5 hours before it was broadcast. If you’re interested a recording of my 15 seconds of fame is here. I sound very confused as I’m not actually talking to anybody! Obviously you have to be my ‘friend’ to hear it…
Also, as this is a music blog – allow me to briefly talk about another style. Listening to ‘The Complete Banker’ by The Divine Comedy makes me laugh – laughter gets you through tough times! The song is inspired by our glorious financial community who have done us proud. Opening line:
“Can anyone lend me £10 billion quid? Why do you look so glum? Was it something I did?” And later “That’s just me, the complete banker, I’m a conscious free malignant cancer on society” – sheer genius in my opinion!
In conclusion music plays a vital role in my life, especially during a stressful examination period.
I got it from http://profalexander.wordpress.com/author/profalexander/








