Music to My Ears

If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in life out of music.


- Albert Einstein




I resonate a bit with Albert. Music adds a dimension to life that cannot be ignored. This past weekend my daughter had a friend over to watch Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I thought it was so cool that they were interested in a movie I saw when I was eighteen. The first in the Indiana Jones series, Raiders of the Lost Ark, might just be my favorite movie of all time - Cant wait for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to open on the 22nd.




I love the mystery, the fun adventure, and rugged mental and physical toughness of the hero in those stories. But I think its the music of John Williams that really makes those films extra special for me. I can't imagine them without that particular music. The impact of music on any movie or video piece can not and should not be underestimated - the right music changes everything; it can define the story. Imagine Jaws without it's theme music - simply impossible!




I like to make movies in my head sometimes for fun. I find a place to sit in a restaurant or park or mall, any place where there are lots of people and I put on my headphones and listen to classical music; Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi (yep, they are on my itunes) or sometimes instrumental music from Sigur Ros or Pink Floyd. Then I watch people go about their business. I imagine what they might be thinking or reflect on their actions in the context of the music. It's amazing the stories you can think of. I know it's weird, but I suggest you give it a try sometime. It's a hoot! Real-time movies ... in your head.



I did this while I was driving today. As I listened to jazz on the radio, I watched an older man walking to his mailbox; I was certain he was a spy.