The Secret Chord

The Hebrew scriptures tell the legend of how King Saul, the first recorded King of Israel was, from time to time, tormented by an evil spirit. His advisors suggested that a skilled harpist be found and David, who would later become King, was put forward as a potential candidate. The King ordered that the young man be brought to him and a rather strange thing happened because the chronicle records that every time the evil spirit visited Saul, David simply played his harp and the spirit left the King alone. Perhaps it was this “secret chord, that David played and it pleased the Lord” that Leonard Cohen was referring to when he wrote his iconic ballad “Hallelujah.” What the king’s advisors knew back then, is a scientifically confirmed fact today and it is this: Music has the ability to alter not only the mind but also one’s very physiological state of being, reducing stress, alleviating anxiety and pacifying emotions.

I’m a student, trainee lawyer, former professional athlete and perhaps more importantly, just like everyone reading this, a HUMAN BEING. I know what it’s like to feel those thick knots of anxiety in the pit of your stomach before an important match, exam or presentation. Stress is a part of the game for all of us and those who deal with it best, find more fulfilment, live longer (statistically speaking) and are actually more effective. Music has been a critical factor in chasing my proverbial demons away and so, without much further ado, I present to you my (drum-roll please) ZEN Playlist! Allow me to take you on a descriptive journey of the mental space these pieces put me in.

Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46, “Morning Mood” – Edvard Grieg

Although this playlist is in no particular order, this aptly named piece is right at the top of the list for reasons that will become apparent to you once you listen to it. It is the musical personification of all things new, tranquil and harmonious. It begins by alternating seamlessly between the sweet call of the flute and the gentle response of an oboe, which then ushers in the full complement of an orchestra in a way that is somehow all at once emphatic but delicate enough to preserve Grieg’s “Morning Mood.”

The result is images of evocative, dramatic landscapes: the sun rising over a grass swept savannah, a summer morning in the Swiss Alps or perhaps the dawning of a new day on a remote island – you take your pick!

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin

Easily Gershwin’s most recognizable work, this iconic piece is a bold fusion of elements of classical European music with all the swagger of the Roaring 20s or American Jazz Age. The clarinet casually waltzes onto the score at the beginning of the piece, playfully extending an invitation to the orchestra at large to dance. Gradually the other instruments begin to acquiesce and each in turn announces their arrival to the party. What follows is a dizzying rollercoaster between frenzied collaborations and bluesy jazz piano solos that truly merits its description as “rhapsodic.”

Bolero – Maurice Ravel

Three words to describe this masterpiece? Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. Bolero begins with the very gentle 3/4 time signature of a singular snare drum - so gentle as to almost render it inaudible if you’re not attentive enough. The snare is soon joined by a winding flute that floats around the consistent beat. What I love about Bolero is how it creeps up on you. You go from the slow, steady persistence of the snare and before you know it, you’re being overwhelmed by a deluge of triumphant fanfare which ends in a sudden and dramatic collapse of the entire movement. What makes it so zen though is that even as the narrative gets overpowered by the wider orchestra, the snare remains consistent and unwavering throughout, gaining in volume and power but never rushing beyond the original 3/4 timing. Be like the snare!

Adagio in G Minor – Remo Giazotto

Giazotto is said to have pulled the original melody line for this piece from the wreckage of the Saxon State Library in Dresden after it had been bombed in WWII. What a fitting origin story for what is to me, the single most beautiful classical composition I have ever heard. It is a lament, a mourning of sorts, almost a dirge. A hauntingly beautiful cry to the Divine, it drips with all the pathos of war but ends with an enchanting final violin solo that renders it, overall, a very cathartic experience.

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) – Billy Joel

Admittedly this may seem like a slightly unusual pick for this type of playlist, not least because it’s the only one with lyrics. I’m a huge fan of Billy Joel and always say that his lyrics have a way of making you feel nostalgic for things that you may have never even experienced. This song is no exception. Inspired by the chants of gregorian monks, the melody is simple, honest and charmingly played by New York’s “Piano Man.” The lyrics, which are deeply personal (the song was written for his daughter Alexa Ray) and heartfelt, having a soothing effect – which I guess, after all, is the point of a lullabye!

All Systems Go (The Launch); From “Apollo 13” Soundtrack - James Horner

I would be remiss if I failed to include a work by the legendary James Horner on this list. The soundtrack for “Apollo 13” (from which this specific track is taken), was nominated for the 1995 Academy Award for Best Original Score and rightfully so. The film depicts the failed mission of Apollo 13 in which Tom Hanks played the lead. Growing up in rural Zimbabwe, it was one of my dad’s favourites and I must have watched it on VHS over a hundred times. I can recall the scene where the astronauts are about to be launched into the stratosphere and “The Launch” begins to play. It conveys a sense of destiny and the inevitability of one’s fate. You cannot help but hear the cosmos beckoning as you listen to this, almost as if the very stars are saying “come up higher.” What could be more zen than that?

Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 “From the New World” – Antonin Dvorák

Continuing with the theme of astronauts and space, Neil Armstrong famously took a tape recording of the New World Symphony with him to the moon on Apollo 11 in 1969. Perhaps it was the poetic and metaphorical significance of the symphony in light of the journey to that new frontier that prompted him to take it with him. Perhaps not. Either way, Armstrong undoubtedly recognised the ethereal beauty of this piece. Intricate, graceful and airy it speaks to all the potential and glory of unchartered territory.

Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” – Edvard Grieg

This is perhaps the strangest pick for a “zen playlist.” After all, the original Norwegian story for which this piece was written involves a young boy called Peter being chased through cavernous mountains by hoards of trolls. Peaceful, I know! Unlike Ravel’s “Bolero,” this song does not creep up on you. Yes, it starts out slowly with Peter tiptoeing to escape but quickly escalates to a fever pitch as he is discovered and the chase begins. It is a beautifully malevolent piece of music and one almost feels themselves being pursued. In the end, however, Peter escapes, which Grieg captures in a dramatic halt to the blaring music. The sense of danger coupled with the eventual escape is why this song has always been a staple in any of my meditative or peaceful playlists – it is a welcome anomaly.

Cavatina – Stanley Myers

As a guitarist myself, I can understand and appreciate the technical difficulty Stanley displays in this masterful classical guitar piece. Complex but easy to digest, the melodies in this piece flow in a light and graceful flurry of joy. Sonically, it rubs the brain in all the right ways and encourages relaxation.

Angels Watching Over Me - Brass Band of the Salvation Army in Germany

Originally written as a lullabye of sorts for children, I personally grew up singing this song but didn’t discover the lyric-free, brass band version until I was an adult. This rendition has the effect of elevating the original melody from a mere lullabye to almost supernatural heights that can put you in the mood for a philosophical trip. The melody is layered by lovely, understated harmonies that flow naturally through the song as trumpets, trombones and tubas conspire together to convey the warmth and reassurance that angels are watching over you.

Conclusion

If you’ve read this far thank you so much! I hope you loved the playlist as much as I do. I’m kinda new to the whole Vocal thing so please do leave a comment, like and maybe even a tip if you feel so inclined. Every bit is appreciated!