Okay, so you all know by now that I am a HUGE music fan. What you might not know about me is that my musical tastes are extremely eclectic, sometimes bordering on schizophrenic. I am every bit as in love with disco and ’80s pop as I am with heavy metal. In fact, it might actually be easier to tell you what genres of music I don’t like (because there aren’t many). I honestly listen to just about everything. And that includes classical. I love classical music. I love Beethoven in particular. That’s why for today’s appointed letter, I have chosen the classical, and very romantic, Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.2 in F major, Op. 50. Or simply “Violin Romance,” as it is sometimes called.
Incredibly romantic (as the name implies), and beautiful enough to move one to tears, it is one of my favorite pieces of music. And it always brings up a very puzzling question for me: what is it about the violin that is so unbelievably romantic anyway? I’ve been trying to figure that one out for years. To me, it has to be the single most romantic musical instrument ever! I mean, there are instruments I would call sexy – like the guitar, or the drums, or even the saxophone. But there are very few instruments I would consider truly romantic. The violin is pretty much it. Can you think of others? Enjoy this musical interlude by Ann Fontanella while you ponder it.
Lashell Collins 