Suppose you read all that has ever been written about Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony—all of the reviews of performances, descriptions of its greatness, analyses of its composition.  Suppose you even read the sheet music itself, and studied everything about it.  But suppose you never listened to it.  Would it be fair to say you know the piece?  That you have grasped its meaning?

The great American composer Aaron Copland said, “The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, ‘Is there a meaning to music?’ My answer would be, ‘Yes.’ And ‘Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?’ My answer to that would be, ‘No.’”

It is good to learn about music, to be knowledgeable about its form and theory, its history and influence, and so on.  But in the end, to really know music and its meaning is to hear it, not to talk about it.

Gustav Mahler said, “If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.”   

So go, and listen.  Plato was right that music touches your soul.  Just don’t be content with taking his word for it.

Have a wonderful day.