In my anitqua music history class, I have really pondered about a couple of things that I have learned. I have really enjoyed Dr. Schlagel's remarks because masses and chants have much more meaning than I have ever thought they would.
When the bubonic plague rampaged through Europe in 1348-49, people's mortal lives were put at risk. Having a disease where once one symptom appeared you were dead in three days created a perspective on how valueable life is and how easily it can be taken away. People now had an acute sense of mortality.
Before all this occured, people were very religious. Music was there to honor God, for the most part, and everything had a sacred meaning. After 2/3 of Europe lie dead in heaps and mounds, the world moved from a vernacular to secular: people began to focus on the here and now (time on Earth) rather than the future time in Heaven.
So therefore, what is the purpose of life?
There are three approaches that I have been thinking about.
1- Religion--we are sent here, as God's children, to live a virtuous life and do the best we can. No matter which religion one is apart of, I think it is safe to say everyone strives to be the perfect self they can be. What we do on Earth will be rewarded in Heaven. We are here to love God and love thy neighbor. Two commandments. Simple. Period.
2- Pragmatic--We need to leave our mark on the world. We only live once and therefore need to make the best of what comes our way. When we die, will we be remembered or has it all just been an adventure? We not only need to focus on others, but we need to not forget about ourselves. What is it we want to accomplish while here for such a short period of time?
3- Humanist--We are all human beings. We all come from the same place. We should be the best person that we can be so that the people who follow us will be able to have a better life than we had/have a better experience. This is where the learn from your elders comes from. We need to be the best people that we can be for ourselves, our happiness and the happiness and lives of the future human beings.
Being raised in a religious atmosphere, everything seems to be layed out plain and clear. However, it seems life is not black and white. There is no right and wrong answer to every situation. Really, what is the purpose of life? Are we supposed to live so that we have an amazing Heaven experience? Is it based on blind faith and hope wishing what we believe to be true is in fact, true? Or do we take on all three concepts and be the best person we can be while focusing on ourselves and the future betterment of mankind?
I think the best answer for right now is something I wrote on my bedroom wall in highschool:
"You are who you want to be!"
I was strolling through Central Park today in New York City and was baffled by the splendor I found. I have been to the park several times, but not in 20 inches of snow (granted last New Years was bitter cold (far worse than the 20 degrees this year). I loved walking the cobblestone sidewalks, canopied by the leave-less, mangled trees. As I came up over the parapets, thinking that I would find the infamous ice skating rink, I once again beheld the Bethesda Fountain. What a glorious statue of an angel that watches over us all across from a glorious walkway full of arches and adjacent to a beautiful frozen lake--"respect the delicate ecology of your delusions."
La Cage Aux Folles is such a breathtaking show. I have loved the George Hearn (original Broadway soundtrack) version for several years, so I was elated to see a more "raw" production than the infamously glamorous original. Front row baby! Talk about muscles and tits, girdles and jocks--it was hellashiously hysterical and it felt like being a fly on the wall more than a mere bystander paying heaps of money to see Actors. Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge were both fab. Too bad they both could not have received the Tony. I loved loved loved the choreography and the light design during the huge number La Cage Aux Folles. Go get them birdcagers!
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was cool. Not as influential or extraordinary as La Cage, but it was indeed nice to see some familiar and famous faces. Laura Benanti stole the show with her obsession with Pepa. I am still chuckling about it days later. Tony anyone? I do love the poster for the show as well as the 90 degree angle work in the lighting and scenic design.
