Music and Space

So I had listened to Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte in the car on my paper route every night for the past month, so I decided to burn some more CDs. I created an epic playlist divided into 4 CDs, in addition to CDs of Mahler 5 and Shostakovich 5 (and Cello Concerto): Night on Bald Mountain, Bruckner 9 (my recording from Vienna), Ein Heldenleben, Also Sprach Zarathustra, Alpensymphonie, Strauss Horn Concerto no. 2, and Turangalila Symphonie.

I specifically associate Bruckner and Richard Strauss with the (Austrian) Alps. I listened to Bruckner 4 during my train rides through the mountains, and it was a perfect soundtrack. I really enjoy listening to music on my nightly rounds, and it helps if it's loud music because I have to drive with my windows down. But more to the point, there's something about the night that allows music like Strauss and Mahler to resonate with me. Even though I'm delivering papers in some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Tennessee, I feel closer to nature. Especially when I can see the moon and stars clearly. I've always had romantic notions of the grandeur of nature and space. How could Also Sprach not be fitting music?

While I didn't get a clear projection image of Venus crossing in front of the Sun yesterday, I was happy to set up my telescope. Because it's a reflecting telescope, it will overheat if I point it at the Sun, so I had to use another old telescope I found in the attic. I assumed it was Dad's, but Mom said it was hers. It was cool to see the image of the Sun, but the images from the live webcasts from Hawaii, among other places, were much clearer. Grace and Haz weren't too interested, but that's not surprising. It's just special because the Venus transit will never happen again during our lives.

After I delivered the free Wednesday papers, I got out my telescope and looked at the moon. It's amazing what an effect the moon can have if you just pay attention to it. I'm going to try to find other interesting and beautiful astronomical objects. One of my favorite thoughts is the idea that looking into space is looking into the past. Because light takes many years to reach Earth, who knows what the universe looks like now?