Emotion of music

[Elizabeth Zoller <LizzieZ...>]

Karen mentioned this the other day:
>Yes, very good point...if we don't sing oyfen pripichek (sp?) to our children
>now, they won't know it or feel emotional when they hear it when they're grown
>up...

While I still have very mixed feelings about the use of "unintended"
melodies for songs and liturgy, her comment brought to mind something that
happened to me in a music history class in college.

As we were listening to "The Moldau" by Smetana, all of a sudden I was
swept up by hearing the melody of "Hatikvah" right in the middle of the
piece!  At first I thought, how interesting that such musical borrowing had
occurred from this symphonic piece, but later I learned that Smetana had
indeed also borrowed the tune from a folk song.  (Anyone know the origin of
that?  Just curious.)

My point is that I agree that melodies learned in one context can remain
with you to evoke the initial emotion of the original context, even when it
may be used later for another purpose.  Of course, this still doesn't solve
for me the question of whether to use "pop" or other melodies to teach in
class or use in services.  My personal jury is still out.

BTW, Adrian, have we set a new record for number of posting in a 4-day
period?  This has been one great though-provoking discussion.  Shabbat
shalom, everyone.

Liz Zoller