Songs for the Season

I live in Ohio.

That means every year, I get to experience the changing seasons.

Spring. Summer. Winter. Fall.

Each with a distinct character.

Each with a distinct vibe I want to vibe too.

The season du jour happens to be autumn bordering on the verge of winter. The leaves have changed into orange, red, yellow and brown hues. The crisp, fall air permeates the morning. Pumpkin spice and apple cinamon are being sold and consumed everywhere.

My family accomplished the pumpkin patches, back to school insanity, camping trips, Renaissance festival and excessive candy collecting on All Hallows’ Eve.

We are snuggling into our sweaters and scarves. The days are getting shorter. And darker. And colder.

But here lies the question…

as the season changes what about music?

Do I just keep listening (and singing) the same old, same old or perhaps do I let the season influence the soundtrack of my life?

Here is my (WEIRD) criteria for seasonal song picking … does the song fit the “mood” of the season I’m currently in? Does the “soundscape” resonate with the current landscape, if you will.

When autumn comes around, I love to listen to music the matches the complex earthiness of fall. I want to sing songs that have my entire body resonating. Songs filled with deep meanings, soaring melodies and just a little bit of whimsy sprinkled on top (for good measure!).

SO….

Goodbye, peppy, electronic dance songs of summer. (Bye-bye. Sniff.)

 Welcome back, contemplative folk or early renaissance music! Come sit with me by the fire and enjoy this pumpkin spice latte. I’ve missed you.

Just in case you are a “seasonal” music listener like myself, I’ve put together a list of 3 songs I’ve sung this autumn and 3 songs I’ve enjoyed listening too. I hope you enjoy :).

Ms. Amedee’s Top 3 Autumn Songs to Sing:

1. “Children Will Listen” from the musical Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim

2. “Lakme Duet” from the opera Lakme by Leo Delibes

3. “Malpas Wassail” as recorded by the Wattersons

Ms. Amedee’s Top 3 Autumn Songs to Listen to:

1. “Who I’d Be” from the musical Shrek by David Lindsay- Abaire

2. The Blue Notebooks by Max Richter

   (Note: this entire album is GOLD!!)

3. “Massie Gap” by the Hillspirits

   
   

   Autumn honorable mentions:

1. “O Rubor Sanguinis” by Hildegard Von Bingen

2. “Trees are Whispering” by Thomas J. Curran

3. “Libera Me” from Faure’s Requiem

Happy listening and music making!

(and hopefully practicing ;))

With all my heart,

Ms. Amedee

youtu.be

Children Will Listen by Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters sings Children Will Listen (Into the Woods/Stephen Sondheim) at her concert in Royal Festival Hall London.