Possibly the best chill out music ever?

If you have been following my blog and the reason for it (see my About page), you will guess why I chose this piece, five days into round 2 of my friend’s chemo. Largely bedridden, feeling literally poisoned, I hoped this would offer them five and a half minutes of loveliness and escapism.

How do they do that?

Meditation is all about breathing, being in the moment and allowing your mind to be free. What is it about this music that helps to give that feeling?

We are in the moment with the solo violin, following its long melodic line as it covers two notes short of three octaves in the first 16 bars. The rising and falling of the melody, gently soaring and then swooping, is like the deep, controlled breath of mediation and the mind letting go. But it is not all tranquility. There is tension to be felt and then released as the violin takes us up to new heights, a foray into the minor key, climaxing in bright B major, and then descending gracefully back to the home key of D. All in the opening bars before the orchestra has had a look in.

The full string section does then have a say, developing the theme and building tension once more. Just as you think the piece might be about to change in character and become a big, dramatic symphonic number, the solo violin returns, taking us back to a calming place. But it’s a trick because then both solo violin and orchestra join together in a passionate unison.

The dynamic shifts (quiet to loud and back), the contrast of full orchestra and sudden reappearance of solo violin, the way the violin often hangs on a single note, keeping us in suspense, all creates tension and keeps us dangling on every ‘word.’ And then rewards our patience as the harmonies resolve and the music drifts back to tranquility.

There is one final interruption to tug at our peacefulness, though; a false ending. Just when you think it’s all over, the full string section decides to have another say - “don’t forget us, we’re part of this beautiful music too” - and the piece then ends calmly, orchestra and solo violin together, with the violin on a super high harmonic - fingers and bow barely touching the string.

Hope you enjoy it or feel inspired to listen to something new today.

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