A Museum for Baroque Music

There is no better way to put it; there are simply too few museums dedicated to the study of music. One of the first types of music is music of the Baroque era. Some of the most popular composers from the Baroque era who's works are still performed today include Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. Baroque music is one of the most popular types of classical music that is still listened to, studied, and even performed to this day. If this music is so popular, why are there virtually no museums devoted to the study of this topic? Many serious musicians study Baroque music very frequently, but mainly through music history courses. Honestly, few people can say they love learning Music History. If a Baroque music museum were invented, people would enjoy Baroque music for what it's worth in a fun museum setting. Museums are great for stimulating interest in any subject matter. If a Baroque music museum existed, people could enjoy their time learning about Baroque music. Museums are very popular and attract many visitors who are interested in the subject, and many people today are interested in Baroque music. Today's performances of Baroque music are often played on modern instruments, offering the audience a similar experience to that of hearing music in the Baroque era. In the Baroque museum visitors would get the real deal. Guest speakers would lecture about Baroque instruments and music. Performances will only be presented on authentic Baroque instruments, not on modern versions of the instruments. A Baroque music museum would provide a great service for anyone interested in Baroque music, and would probably get other musicians and non-musicians interested in, or at least fascinated by Baroque music.


Here is a performance of a wooden flute and lute duet; both of these instruments are instruments that were very popular during the Baroque era.

Museum Blog 1

The Getty Villa museum is a must for anyone with an interest in art. Home to many of the world's greatest works of architecture, this museum captures the essence of ancient Greece and Rome through the eyes of the founder, J. Paul Getty. The museum is in Palisades and is a great tourist attraction for any art aficionado . The museum didn't exactly capture my interest, but that is because I am not particularly a fan of art museums. However, everyone else I went with enjoyed it. There was much to learn about life in and the art of these cities. The Getty Villa has so much to offer and I would give it my highest recommendation to anyone who would like to see great art in a garden-like luxurious environment.

For more information about the Getty Museum complex and visiting the Villa, go to its website.

The Effect that I Think an Apology Would Accomplish in this Case

In response to the discovery of his scandalous behavior, Clinton in fact issued several apologies. Many of these apologies were nothing but helpful in defending his case. If they weren't issued just out of the goodness of his heart, they helped serve in restoring his public image after committing acts that would greatly damage it. Some of his apologies were poorly administered and others were poorly received, but in the end the product of all of these apologies only helped him in his cause. Some argue that some of his apologies were inappropriate but that is only an opinion, one which I don't necessarily agree with. They were all given to express his remorse and in hopes of forgiveness.

Here is a video of Clinton lying about his inappropriate actions. His multiple apologies helped Clinton earn some forgiveness from the American public.

Bill Clinton Scandal

A little over ten years ago, Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States was involved in scandalous affairs with Monica Lewinsky. President Clinton had an extramarital affair with Lewinsky, who was an intern in the White House at the time. When a lawsuit was filed against Clinton, he lied under oath about the affair, which later led to his impeachment. Clinton issued many apologies for this incident which were all appropriate and deserved. He was not forced to issue an apology but for this instance one is expected, and was handled well.

Here is an abbreviated list of the many apologies Clinton made shortly following the incident.

Apologies

On the topic of apologies, I found an interesting article of 7 Things You Should Never Apologize For. Check it out if you get the chance.

Critical Thinking Blog 2

It is very interesting to see the ways that Goldhagen relates Pope Benedict XIV's way of thinking and the German state before the second world war. In the author's opening statement he gives a brief background on the pope's childhood. The pope, even though coming from an anti-Nazi family, still joined the Hitler Youth group, but apparently this was a common thing to do at this time. Unlike other popes, Benedict XVI didn't speak much about the actions of the Nazi party during World War II or its aftermath. Goldhagen points a finger at the Catholic Church, saying that they were partly responsible for the violence caused by the Nazis against Jews. He says that the church supported the anti-Semitic race laws of the Nazi party. Goldhagen then goes on saying that because the pope witnessed the occurrence of such atrocities that he is flawed. According to Goldhagen, the pope thinks that everyone in the world must believe the Catholic's school of teaching, rather than being free to think one's mind. However, groups that have tried to do this in the past instigated violence. Goldhagen concludes with the pope claiming that, "his truth is the Truth."

In this article, Goldhagen attacks the Pope's ways of thinking in writing. By being a witness to the Nazi's atrocities, according to Goldhagen, the pope is responsible for the Nazis of the actions. When the pope speaks publicly, it is interesting to see his viewpoint on the Nazis' actions. His affiliation with and loyalty to the Nazi party is a bit inconsistent. He was once in the Nazi Youth but then claims that his actions are not wrong and, Christianity is always the best path to God. It is very interesting to see the pope's loyalty and standing firm behind his Catholic beliefs, regardless of whether or not his statements about the Nazi party are either valid or significant.

Here is an interesting video of the Pope speaking about the Nazis' rule and its effect on his life.

Critical Thinking Blog 1

My college field of music definitely incorporates critical thinking into the curriculum. In regards to music, critical thinking is a vital and major component to the quality of one's performance. Music, just like any form of art that involves quality and creativity requires critical thinking. By thinking critically, one can take his or her performance abilities to higher levels. Music making should never be mechanical, and critical thinking is what makes music come to life. Usually anyone if taught how, can learn a piece of music, but one's critical thinking makes a performance unique, which is a crucial component to any musical performance. Critical thinking is what makes music thought of as an art, and a gift much more unique than just any skill.



Here is an interesting video of a violin master class, where the instructor is teaching the student how to think critically about the piece of music he is learning. It is neat to see him give the student his ideas, and watch him take them, deconstruct them, analyze them, and make them his own.