by Justin Leader
justindleader@gmail.com
“Ta-Ta-Ta-Taaa.” The 4 opening notes of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony are recognizable throughout the globe. The fire and passion that Ludwig Van Beethoven must of felt as he composed this timeless piece had to be breathtaking to see in person as well as to feel rumbling in your chest from a seat in the audience. I imagine him performing this for the first time in Vienna’s Theater an der Wien standing in front of the orchestra, poised, prepared, driven to have the music be his voice and the sound echoing the chambers become his legacy. Centuries later we hear this piece and are immediately engaged.
An analogy can be drawn to our own lives. There are questions we must ask ourselves daily regarding whether we are or are not composing what will be seen by many and most importantly ourselves as the orchestra to our lives. Is there harmony? Is it inspirational? Is there meaning and purpose? Most importantly is what we are hearing, feeling and seeing igniting a deep-seeded desire within our hearts to approach every day with the utmost sincerity, intensity and love for life itself?
If not, perhaps it is time to change the tune. Keep in mind, this one piece of music was written between 1804 and 1808 with a plethora of edits along the way. We must remind ourselves that sometimes it takes a little bit of time and wherewithal to reach your final destination. This can be expedited by making a change within yourself or changing another player present on your stage. As the conductor and composer of your masterpiece you must strive to reach whatever it is that you define as success and happiness. One must wake up daily grab their baton, stand on the rostrum or podium and begin composing and conducting like their very life depends on it. That passion must be felt and seen just like Ludwig Van in 1808. We all have the ability no matter how long or short our symphony is to make it our own and to make it ultimately as beautiful as we want it to be………..Break a leg.
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI
My Favorite by Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU