My latest efforts to go completely power foods has me drowning in a sea of kale and lean meats. If I can't guarantee by own dietary heath, at least I can get a free rush from Franz Joseph Haydn.
Haydn is the composer with the great life. He died old and rich. He was celebrated in his lifetime. Mozart adored him. Beethoven and Schubert revered him. Haydn thrived in every musical genre. He enjoyed patronage from the wealthy Esterhaza family for forty years.
There are only two down sides. One, one of the Esterhazy princes was fond of an instrument called the baryton. Haydn had to write endless pieces for this outdated instrument. Two, Haydn was married to a hatchet faced lady who was tone deaf. Everything else was great.
Want to put bounce in your step and a smile on your heart? Forget the kale (I never know what the hell kale was anyway). Listen to a Haydn Symphony first thing every morning. He wrote 104 of them.
It doesn't matter which one you choose. Nor does a specific performances mater. You needn't listen attentively. Just have it on. Haydn' s great elegance will seep into you slowly.
I've never been pregnant, and I don't get much form those who put CD players with Mozart on their bellies. The "Mozart Effect" was cool and then uncool.
Haydn's wonderful symmetry is very calming. His symphonies usually open with a joyful major-key allegro. The third movement minuets will get you moving, always good in the morning. (Ahem). And the finales are a hot shower after a five mile run.
I don't listen in order. I chooser many different orchestras and conductors. New York Philharmonic/Leonard Bernstein; Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood; Philharmonia Hungarica/Antal Dorati.
I'm not listening to parse through performances. I use this music to be loved and tickled into a new day. Would you rather eat kale?
