Voluntary exposure to challenges is the only way to grow. In our contemporary fragile world of safe spaces, trigger word warnings, sensitivity trainings and general over-protection from parents, for many it may be unthinkable that there were times when youth willingly exposed themselves to great challenges, seeking both personal and professional growth on the way. Just as the human body, and the genome …
Prehistoric music was essential to the development of human culture. Long before complex concepts, speech or writing, humans were already creating music! This prehistoric music spanned a vast period and likely emerged alongside the development of language and basic social structures. We know a lot about what ancient civilizations like Egypt, the Greeks or Romans thought of music and how …
From horses to locomotives: a short look into mobility. We all know the look on a teenager’s face when we are 5 minutes late from the agreed time of pick-up. Traveling with such speed as of today, estimating arrival time with such precision, in fact traveling itself, previously was never part of human experience and within the possibilities. Even …
The overreach of power today and in Beethoven’s days If not from history, from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings one can easily observe and learn the true nature of power. Gollum’s character is the perfect example how this force can take hold of, change and disfigure anybody not careful enough. It always wants more! George Washington, a wise …
In this article, we will look at the importance of music to the Romans, the occasions during which music could be heard, and what it sounded like. Features of Roman music Early Romans sang at feasts, and often, their song was accompanied by a tune on a pipe. These songs, called carmen, were sometimes performed by a choir at …
The great composer’s love of nature is well documented; Beethoven’s walks in the countryside surrounding Vienna were woven into his daily routine. The stunning forested hills filled with birdsong brought Beethoven great pleasure, and served as an important part of his creative process. Those solitary walks would, in a sense, allow his ideas to incubate, and flourish into the masterpieces …