Composing Life Out of Loss

Many persons find moments of transformation by doing the tasks of creating music, and in being present to one's inner self.  Previous music, experienced in the context of a huge loss, can evoke floods of emotion and incisive meanings.  For website visitors, what moments of music have connected you to your loss and grief?  To moments of emotional release and new meanings?

Also, you might say, in the midst of loss and grief, one's previous "scores" (or known ways of living life) no longer fit.  We have to improvise.  We have to hear and respond to life anew.  We're in a not knowing-what's-next, in-the-moment improv style of do-be-do-being life.  We rewrite, rearrange previous life-scores. 

What creative, healing experience might these musicians share?

Eric Clapton * Ludwig van Beethoven * Albert Einstein * Johannes Brahms * Irving Berlin * John Lennon * Aristotle * Horatio Spafford * Pink Floyd * Johnny Cash * Jonathan Larson * Krzysztof Pendereski * Dolly Parton * J. S. Bach * Tina Turner * Gustav Mahler * Paul McCartney * Robert Schumann * Neil Diamond * the Taps bugler * Loretta Lynn * almost any other composer

Answer: They all used their music to express and cope with loss and grief. Many found transformations for themselves by doing the tasks of creating and performing their music, and in being present to their inner struggles.  You might say each person's previous "scores" (or known ways of living life) no longer fit. Each had to be in and move through life anew in a kind of not knowing-what's-next, in-the-moment improv style of do-be-do-being life.  Each rewrote, rearranged previous scores.  Their external music reflected internal processes of working it out.

Real Time Examples

Whether 10 years ago, or 10 years from now, examples occur all around.  Explore these few stories from our news headlines.