Travnice: Slovak Music

Getting to know the neighbor you serve can be a very hard task.  Learning about a culture before you actually go to a place is quite a bit more difficult, especially if the history is complicated.  As I prepare for my mission trip to Slovakia, you can read more about it here, I am trying to get to know the neighbors I will serve.  Of course, I won't actually know anything or anybody until I actually get there and get to know individuals. But in an effort to be able to understand and connect with those I serve I am attempting to prepare myself with travel guides and Youtube videos.

Human connection is precious indeed.  We all need it.  However, these connections can be challenging to establish. Our self-centered sinful nature and clumsy ways can make for some awkward moments. But we have a few things that are wonderful universal connections.  These things transcend culture and time.  

The Gospel

First and most importantly is the Gospel. The good news of Christ binds us in forgiveness to Himself but also to another.  In Christ, we are free to love and serve each other in spite of our differences. 

Food

We all need to eat. Eating together is a great way to get to know each other and foods have a fantastic way of helping us understand each other.  When someone cooks good food for you there is a bond of acceptance between both the giver and the gracious receiver.

Music
Music is a language all it's own that has the ability to connect people of all ethnicities and all ages together. One of the first things and perhaps the easiest thing to learn about different cultures in their music.

Naturally, as I am musical, one of the things I have been enjoying as I prepare for my trip is listening to music. So I thought I would share some of my favorite finds.

I love the depth of Slovak folk music, with familiarness to Hungarian and Celtic folk songs, but then also there is a strong German influence as well.  Folk music is great in the way the tunes tell the stories of the people and the land throughout the ages.  It gives an insight to the world as it was while still teaching about the of the world around presently.  I also love the sound of the Fujara, a type of shepherds flute, the national instrument of Slovakia.

Enjoy!!

Composers Who Have Been Unfortunately Overlooked: Mahler

I love music! Who doesn't.  Music is a language of endless creativity and expression.  Music accompanies and supports just about all aspects of life.   I think we all aspire to have a soundtrack to our life.  Music helps tell the stories of life.  Classical music is very well suited for this.  We are all faimiler with the "greats" Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bach (The Lutheran champion).  Sadly many wonderful compositions and their composers have been overlooked by the general public.  Maybe we can change that.  

I thought I would share some of the forgotten's or overlooked, starting with my favorite.  Gustav Mahler.  Mahler happens to have been very influence in the changing tides of orchestral music during the early 20th century as the culture headed into modernity. His composition style blends the classic romanticism and modernism as he explored a style of music filled with emotion and suspense as Mahler explored writing with a 12 cord scale structure. Mahler's symphonies seem to have an almost theatrical approach to them, as you listen you will certainly hear his influence on music for the big screen. 

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 is hands down my favorite musical composition of all time.  Seeing this performed live, which was also the first time I heard the music, was an unforgettable experience.  My husband intentionally told me not to listen to it before we went, as he had heard it before in class and knew how I would be captivated.  

Symphony No. 2  is also known as The Resurrection Symphony.  Which makes it an excellent choice for this time of year as the church heads in to Lent.  Enjoy! 

If you prefer you can listen here via Spotify.

Stay tuned as I will be sure to share more overlooked or forgotten composers and their music.  Please feel free to make a suggestion in the comments :)