Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G Minor

          Symphony No. 25 in G minor by Mozart (pronounced Motz-art) is one of his best pieces. Used as the opening score to the movie Amadeus, the multitude of violins quickly grasp at the listener's heartstrings and pulls them along for a thrilling experience. I can not listen to this piece without smiling and under certain circumstances, spasm out to let the beauty of the music take me. It is one of two minor symphonies Mozart ever wrote.

          The symphony stays true to traditional form. A symphony normally consists of four movements. The first is usually a sonata with an exposition, development, and recapitulation and is normally played allegro. The second movement slows down to andante. The third picks up the pace into a minuet and trio style type dance. The final movement is allegro and returns to the same key as the first.

          Allegro con brio, 4/4 in G minor: The first movement is most well known. It is full of many memorable motifs utilizing violins and clarinets. It is full of volume dynamics with some dissonance thrown in to keep listeners on edge. Mozart effectively draws in his audience in this stunning first movement.

          Andante, 2/4 in E-flat major: The second, while not as fast paced as the first, is interesting nonetheless. The melody is pleasant and gorgeous. Typical for a symphony.

          Minuet & Trio, 3/4 in G minor, Trio in G major: In 3/4 time, this movement is easier to dance to if one wanted to. The tempo quickens to a brisk walk.

          Allegro, 4/4 in G minor: An excellent resolution to this composition. The themes and motifs of the first movement are reintroduced and have been altered. It brings a sense of completion and resolution.

          I highly recommend watching Amadeus of you are interested in Mozart.

Cowbells

You may or may not know but I wear a cowbell on my backpack everyday to school. Some may be indifferent towards it, others may hate it. I do not wear that cowbell to annoy or impress people. I wear it for myself. I bought the cowbell (it is a key chain) from a popular cross country called Mt. SAC. It is a prestigious meet with a rich history and I was proud to be there but to get back on topic, I wear that cowbell because of the chimes. 

The chimes I imagine stand for freedom. With every step that I take I am reminded of how lucky I am to have two legs that can run on this beautiful piece of land we call the U.S. of A. Every time I hear the twinkling of the bells it, for a moment in time, brings me back to the abstract world I enter on my runner's high. It is a place I like to call home. 

Cross country season is my favorite season. The only reason I can get XCited for fall is because of cross country. My XCitement is XClusive to cross country and not at all to school. Distance running is where I feel free to be who I was meant to be. I have the power to accomplish anything, "Who am I? I am a champion."

Life is a busy race. We do not really have much time to slow down and think about the beauties in life. Well, on that road, on that long run, you get plenty of time by yourself to contemplate. The ideal cadence when running is 180 steps per minute. That's 180 times you're pounding the Earth. You get into a rhythm, Your mind and body become one and your soul is in euphoria. I was born to run and run I shall. 

So the bells will stay on. I will continue to wear it. They are a constant reminder that there is greatness out there. Great things do not come to those who wait. Great things come to those who go out every single day to give it their all. Every chime takes me back on that lonely road miles from my home. Every chime calls me home. If home is where the heart is and my heart is in my left chest, then everywhere I go is home. The chimes ring true to the beat of my heart.