Why Does Music Matter?

I recently attended a piano recital given by an extraordinarily talented friend. His program included a solo piano version of the first part of Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking ballet, THE RITE OF SPRING. It was the second time I’d heard my friend play this challenging work, and for the second time I was blown away. The transcription captured the powerful essence of the orchestral work, and the performer — whose technical abilities are otherworldly — conveyed nuances and instrumental timbres that one would think impossible. How can one piano sound like a lone bassoon, a brass section, or a woodwind section? And yet, he did it convincingly, and it was transforming to me in emotional, psychological and even physical ways.

When I attend a particularly moving or impressive musical performance, I find myself with an urgent need to play my flute. It’s like the kid who looks out the window and sees friends playing in the street and feels compelled to drop everything and join them. It’s an itch that must be scratched. So I went home and tackled some music I’m preparing for upcoming performances, and I felt transformed again.

As music lovers, we know and take for granted that music can be such a powerful force, affecting one’s emotions in so many ways. But why? How? What’s that all about?

Speaking recently with some outstanding teenage musicians who’d won a local orchestra’s concerto competition, I asked each of them: Why does music matter? They ranged in age from 13-17, and every one of these wise young people said some version of this: it’s the best way to connect with emotions and express feelings. One told me it’s better than words and that, even though he aspires to a career as a surgeon, he will never give up his music. Another told me that music matters — all genres of music — because it affects people’s lives and makes people happy. One young musician said that after a long day, music provides a means to shed stress and go to “another world.” She passionately explained that music is a “universal language that connects everyone.” They spoke as performers and as listeners, and they referred to not just classical, but jazz, pop, and other genres. The common thread was MUSIC.

So now it’s your turn: Why does music matter to YOU? Why does music matter in general? What unique experience do you get from music, whether it’s from listening or playing music yourself?