IT’S MUSIC TO MY EARS

was taking a break from studies and listening to Claudio Arrau playing Beethoven’s third piano concerto.

While I was buying my first property, I was frequently listening to records of Hank Snow and the Sergeant Pepper album. In both cases, the event and the music are permanently linked in my mind.

lie in the imagination of European composers, many of them German and Austrian. But some of the great interpretations of these works are performed by musicians and conductors from China, Japan and the Americas, whose own traditional music is very different.

in the ubiquitous jazz clubs. I still love this music, but it is rarely performed today by anybody under 95. Then followed Bill Haley, Jim Reeves and the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Dean Martin and Leonard Cohen.

As the 60s dawned, I began to discover classical music through Viennese waltzes and the symphonies of

Tchaikovsky. At first the melodies were the attractionbefore I discovered the ‘hidden depths’.

Music is one of the senses that anchors us to past situations, whether pleasant or not ­ rather like the fragrance of a special perfume, a movie or the sound of an air ­ raid siren. When I heard of the assassination of President Kennedy, I

Popular music follows fashion and tends to be ethereal. People, especially the young, tend to follow the American way which is first adopted by the UK, and then Europe, before spreading throughout the world, except where it is not permitted.

Young people in China, Japan, India and Indonesia prefer western hits to their own traditional music.

Classical music transcends language, cultures and fashion to reach the universal spirit common to all of us. Its roots

This illustrates how the music of Beethoven is for the benefit of all of us ­ not just Germans; not just Europeans.

There are recent theories that listening to classical music can reduce stress and blood pressure, improve quality of sleep, boost the memory and even manage pain. It can also bring enormous pleasure.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

YOUR boat has been locked away in storage, and with the sunny weather fast approaching you are itching to get her wet for the first time this season! You get her de­winterised, antifouled and everything gets checked over thoroughly before you experience the exhilarating feeling of taking her out to your favourite spots. Even though you have taken care of all the physical aspects to make sure your rides will be pleasurable and trouble free, it is easy to forget to take care of any unforeseen and above all unhappy events that might occur whilst taking your prized possession for a spin.