Connect with Nature, part 7: With Natural Classics

In the household I grew up in music wasn’t really a thing. We were more into sports.

So it wasn’t until I was in my late twenties, perhaps even thirties, that classical music entered my life. I was amazed at the images it could conjure up and feelings it could evoke. Even more so than the popular music I had been listening to up till then.

It seemed to be able to express every emotion imaginable. Joy, anger, love, sadness, aggression, peace, fear, courage and so many more.

Classical music could transport me to a different world. I would find myself drifting down a river (Smetana’s Moldau), enjoying the first signs of spring (Vivaldi’s Four Seasons), going into scary but intriguing caves (Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King) or just plain enjoying life (Beethoven’s symphonies).

Long before I found my soul’s home among actual mountains classical music offered me a connection to Nature.

So when you are not in a position to benefit from the benefits of direct contact with Nature, an alternative way to establish the connection with both it and yourself is through listening to playlist filled with classical music that brings Nature to you.

1.) The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi

Though this piece of classical music is so that it can seem too boring and familiar, I often come back to it. Especially the part about Spring.

Appartently these violin concerti were a revolution at the time they were written by Vivaldi (early 18th century) as he strived to depict things like singing birds, flowing creeks, buzzing insects and even his own barking dog.

2.) Vltava (The Moldau) by Bedřich Smetana

Describing the path the river Vltava winds through the landscape of the Czech Republic it is easy imagine floating along on its waters.

You can hear how it passes through forests, by meadows and farms, below castles high up and into rapids.

Close your eyes and let your imagination take you along on a relaxing boat ride.

3.) Sixth Sympohny (Pastoral) by Ludwig von Beethoven

When listening to Beethoven’s music it’s hard to imagine the man was deaf when he composed much of his music.

Beethoven’s music, especially his symphonies, to me always seem to be full of a love for life and Nature and it shines through especially in his Sixth Symphony.

The man himself said about this work is “more the expression of feeling than painting”, but had it been a painting it would have been one of life lived on in the Austrian and German countrysides.

4.) Flight of the Bumble Bee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Admittedly not the most relaxed piece of classical music to listen to and perhaps even less so when you’re afraid of bees.

Because Rimsky-Korsakov managed to put into music exactly what it sounds like when a bumblebee is buzzing around our heads.

It apparently is incredibly difficult to play because of its high tempo.

5.) In The Steppes of Central Asia by Alexander Borodin

I’ve never been to the steppes of Central Asia, but there are parts in this piece of music that somehow describe exactly what I imagine they look and sound like.

The composer himself described the piece like this:

“In the silence of the monotonous steppes of Central Asia is heard the unfamiliar sound of a peaceful Russian song. From the distance we hear the approach of horses and camels and the bizarre and melancholy notes of an oriental melody. A caravan approaches, escorted by Russian soldiers, and continues safely on its way through the immense desert. It disappears slowly. The notes of the Russian and Asiatic melodies join in a common harmony, which dies away as the caravan disappears in the distance.”

What classical music is on your Nature playlist? Any of the ones mentioned here?

Share in the comments below, on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

As always …

Go dare greatly!

— Gerdi

Discover more ways to connect with Nature:

• Connect with Nature, part 1: Virtually connect with Nature
• Connect with Nature, part 2: Listen to sounds of Nature
• Connect with Nature, part 3: Read a book with Nature as a main character
• Connect with Nature, part 4: Look at images of Nature
• Connect with Nature, part 5: Listen to songs about Nature
• Connect with Nature, part 6: Watch a Nature TED Talk