Christine,
There is a line in Amadeus (one of my all-time favorite movies) when Mozart asks the Emperor what he thought of his latest opera. The emperor responds, "Too many notes."
Jazz has the same effect on me as it does on you! It makes me very nervous---all those musicians taking off and doing what they want, no predictable (to me) beginnings and endings, all those notes!
Your word "agitate" was perfect. Funny, my husband loves jazz, and he is this very logical, grounded, organized thinker. Maybe he doesn't find it disturbing to his center. He doesn't seem to mind living with me either, which is probably similar.
I wonder if you would enjoy (as X and I do) the Baroque and true Classical period most.(not the general term classical)That would include Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and early Beethoven (I threw the early in for Thomas so he won't start arguing with me again) The Baroque gives you Bach, who has many notes but is an excellent disciplinarian, HAndel, Telemann, Buxtehude, Pachelbel, Vivaldi, Clementi....all highly structured and controlled. The odd chord, a surprise rhythm, are like catching the Queen giggling---charming.
X's recommendations are excellent. There's a reason the Brandenburgs, Handel's FOur Seasons, Pachelbel's Canon, Mozart's Mass, are hackneyed: they're great. Go to the library and take some out. Oh---try some Debussy and Saint-Saens if you're feeling lush and romantic.
I think part of it is just what you grow up with and are familiar with--like asparagus or red meat. |
