By
J.L. Gupta
A visitor to Austria would find something or the other of interest. For me, it was Mozart and his music. Despite the fact that I cannot claim to have even a nodding familiarity with any kind of music. I had just heard some of his renderings. The music was relaxing. To me that seemed to be a good reason for a special interest.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the 18th century composer. He was born in Salzburg, an Austrian city, on ‘Jan.27, 1756.’ He had shown a “prodigious ability from his early childhood. He was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era. He could write music before he could write words. His father was a violinist but by the age of three, Mozart was playing PIANO”
God also likes the good. So, Mozart died young on Dec.5, 1791 at the age of approx. 35. He may have gone from the land of the dying but he left behind a rich legacy of scintillating music that is played today and shall be heard for centuries to come. More than that, the future generations shall continue to feel its impact in various ways for a long time. This was obvious during the visit to the cities likeVienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck . (Parts of “the musical ‘The Sound of Music’ were shot in Salzburg.)
The rare rhythm and the sweet sounds that Mozart has left
behind are a great gift. A perennial source of pleasure to all. To the young and the old; the able and the disabled. These appeal to
emotions and manifest themselves in a myriad ways. Are a marvelous medicine for
the mind. Simply soothing for the soul. Seem to have become a way of life for
everyone throughout the length and breadth of Austria. Every thing you look at bears testimony to a highly evolved sense of aesthetics. It is obvious in almost everything. Big or small. Simple or sophisticated. Like the chimney
at the garbage disposal unit. Totally different and distinct from those in any
other place in the world. Clean and colorful. Looks more like a work of art sculpted by a craftsman than a mere conduit for the discharge of dirty smoke from the garbage disposal unit.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the 18th century composer. He was born in Salzburg, an Austrian city, on ‘Jan.27, 1756.’ He had shown a “prodigious ability from his early childhood. He was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era. He could write music before he could write words. His father was a violinist but by the age of three, Mozart was playing PIANO”
God also likes the good. So, Mozart died young on Dec.5, 1791 at the age of approx. 35. He may have gone from the land of the dying but he left behind a rich legacy of scintillating music that is played today and shall be heard for centuries to come. More than that, the future generations shall continue to feel its impact in various ways for a long time. This was obvious during the visit to the cities likeVienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck . (Parts of “the musical ‘The Sound of Music’ were shot in Salzburg.)
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| A bust of Mozart in Salzburg |
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| The Chimney Garbage Disposal Unit |
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| Swarovski store(outside) |
Similarly, the Swarovski store in Innsbruck.Totally different from all else. Anywhere in the world. In décor and design. It is graceful, grand and green. The place mingles well with the landscape and the mountains around it. At first flush, it looks like a resort with lots of greenery, open spaces and running water. On getting closer and walking in, I realized that there was a display of finely crafted pieces of what looked like glass in different colors and sizes. These were apparently expensive. Were handled with care and caution by the salesmen. With gloves on their hands, I could not see even a speck of dust at any place in the entire store which is spread over a sizable area of land.
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| Swarovski store (Inside) |
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| A conference facility |
Also, the multi-storeyed facility for conferences
The effect and influence of Mozart's music on the Austrian people is clearly perceptible. Just as each note makes a different sound; each individual’s actions leave a distinct impression on the minds of the people he meets. To illustrate: I had requested the Cab company to send a car to the train station to pick us up. The company sent two cars. However, only one was enough. The company charged only for one. It has not happened ever in any other place. The gentleman told us categorically – “Pl. pay for only one. We had brought the second car for use in case you had shopped and there was need for more space. A clear case of care and concern for the Customer’s comfort. In Austria, Yes! But where else in the world? Frankly, such a good gesture is a
truly rare experience. Any connection with Mozart's music? Why not? May be, it is the effect of Mozart's music on attitude.
During the visit, I had picked up a set of CDs - the complete works of Mozart. Sometime back, I was diagnosed with a medical problem. Listening to the music has been a help. Elevating for the spirit, relaxing for the body and the mind. Such is the magic of Mozart the musician!
truly rare experience. Any connection with Mozart's music? Why not? May be, it is the effect of Mozart's music on attitude.
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| The gentlemen looked after the guests well. |
Ah, Music! To me, music is pleasure and positivity. It gives me that chutzpah or a larger than life kick. It makes me mindful and optimistic in a stressed out, digitally driven, multitasking world. At times, it magically leads me to a crescendo of joy -that zen like trance -that bliss! Listening to a soulful harmony, I have come the closest to being in meditation. All us moms can vouch for the fact that any crying spree or tantrum by even a toddler can be very effectively handled with a melodious chant, bhajan or song. Didn't someone express very succinctly that music makes a "melancholy man merry.....a lover more enamoured, a religious man more devout".
ReplyDeleteThe modest writer claims that he has only ' nodding familiarity ' with music- I know for a fact that he keenly appreciates various genres of this subtle art form- who else but a connoisseur of life could have drawn such an interesting parallel between music and its effect on the attitudes of people, the notes and rhythms of their lives!
I too had the honour of visiting the sacred memories of Mozart in Salzburg. Infact, atop a rustic medieval fortress called the Hohensalzburg we attended a Mozart concert which was a beautiful experience.
Thank you for sharing - the article is music to the ears!
Another beautiful family travelogue. Thank you Uncle ji for sharing and please keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteJai Hind
The experience of serenity and joy is palpable in the write-up and the pictures. Thanks for sharing and making our lives more beautiful and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAh music! The soul food. The epitome of transcendental life. The medium which elevates you. That magical experience! And Mozart...the person who understood the depth of all that music evokes. That enchantment which he left behind for all the mere mortals to experience. You have truly chosen an amazing topic to write on . Struck the right chord of the heart. A salute to you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece...I confess I truly have no more than "nodding familiarity" with music, but in today's tense times, it is one of the few calming influences. Great to read.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, after reading the cool comments of my two sisters, I feel that I also have no more than a "mere nodding familiarity" with the English language. Way to go, girls
Thanks for opening my eyes to Mozart's music. After reading your article I listened to a few pieces and found them really wonderful and soothing. I had not listened to him before despite living in a street in Paris for four months called Avenue Mozart! The places in the pictures are beautiful- the chimney(didn't know garbage could look so pretty!) and the Swarovski store. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete