Variations on a Theme

One of my favorite pieces of music is Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini #18". When I want to relax, I put it on and just breath and relax.

You first hear just the simple soprano notes of a piano, soft and sweet, bringing the theme to you, setting the stage for what is to come.Next, the orchestra joins in with the strings. The full orchestra swells with the music and you are engaged fully in the experience of the music.

The strings show up after the introduction to the theme has passed. They round out the music and take you on a journey where your soul is free to linger as the orchestra and the piano mingle together.

Towards the end of the piece of music, the key is changed to a more minor chord. By itself, this would not be pleasant to listen too. However, because Rachmaninov has paired it with the simple melody introduction, then the full swell of the orchestra, this mixture works to bring us a haunting melody that takes us away to another place and time, brings us back to the present and then lingers to take us back after the song has ended.

Isn't life like that? We start out small and dependent, thinking only of ourselves. As we grow and learn, we are aware of others around us and our lives become intertwined. Hopefully the music we make is beautiful and harmonious.

There are times, though, that the chords are discordinant and the music would seem to be off key. During these times, if we will pair our offerings with those of the Savior, and we remember that we are not the only note in the song, the mixture will take us to another place and time where we can be fine tuned and be brought back into key.

Then when the song of life is over, we will be able to linger in the beautiful music that we called life.

---

Indeed.