A Poetic Reverie Inspired By Music, Part One

Symphony No.8 by Anton Bruckner I. Allegro Moderato Our Journey Begins All of us know this, that there are journeys we must make, long and short, inner and outer, alone and in vibrant company. We know this, it is our birthright and our mission. It does not make provision for rehearsal. It resembles going to a Symphony: you find your seat, settle in, glance at the program, then set it aside because the orchestra is already tuning. A young man directly in front of you is unusually excited, and a lovely young woman nearby cradles the score. The musicians await their conductor. Everything is in readiness. The First Journey is like that: we arrive on time at the appointed place, look closely at our fellow journeyers, read their excitement or note their lethargy. For a moment, we doubt ourselves, are tempted to leap up and withdraw from the adventure. We mumble excuses for quitting. But the panic dissolves as quickly as it formed, we stay and feel a deep commitment to the journey. This is the moment of the Summons, when rows of trumpets, trombones and tubas play the Fanfare of Departure. The dense sound infuses us with sheer power. Suddenly, we realize we have taken the first step, a long stride onto a road completely new to us and completely empty. Alone and expectant, we approach the first Threshold: an arch over tall trees, or an opening in a row of hedges, or a peninsula connecting the mainland to a small wooded island. Now we sense what readiness really means: we are engaged, we are resolute. II. Scherzo. Allegro Moderato - Trio: Langsam Interlude There is a moment on the Journey when we are giddy with anticipation. We assume we have passed the halfway point. Some stragglers from other parties claim they can smell the salt air of their destination. Others recognize rock formations from earlier journeys. A few even dance, or pretend to dance, or just stumble about in a silly mood. Their move- ments are heavy and awkward. We are sober, knowing too well how long the road ahead truly is. We slow our pace, and gaze longingly at the beauty enclosing us, it is a time of Interlude. We realize we must soon become resolute journeyers again, and press forward, but for this suspended moment we are pilgrims who have reached a shrine in the wilderness, we breathe a sacred air into our tired bodies, and then, too soon, we resume our pace toward yet another Threshold.