Progressiveness

          With mid-term elections coming up I thought it would be appropriate for me to have a sort of political post. The two major political parties of this country run everything and duke it out on a daily basis via television commercials, radio ads, and the like. Personally, I don't strictly associate myself with a specific party, but rather as a progressive. Everything in life is evolving and progressing, and I don't think political and social beliefs are an exception. Originally from the south, I am aware of the lack of progression in many of the social arenas of today's society. There was once a time (not as long ago as you may think) where inter-racial dating and marriage was illegal. Right now the battle on same-sex marriage and gay rights is hitting head lines. If you think about it, so many components of life undergo progression without as much as a peep of opposition. Whether it's fashion, transportation, or even the way we eat, I think change and evolution is inevitable for everything. The big thing I spent this weekend thinking about, however, was the progression of music.
          On Friday I went to a baroque oboe recital, which included theorbo, baroque guitar, viola da gamba, and baroque cello. The sound of most of these instruments was recognizable, but it was very interesting to hear how the sound of the oboe has changed over the centuries. There were many sounds that today's music audiences would consider "bad", or simply wouldn't understand. There were other things, though, that could be heard as an older version of what exists today. Personally, I enjoy the sound of the modern instruments much more, because I am a progressive.
          Yesterday I was invited to a chamber music concert by my teacher at the Los Angeles County Museum, and I enjoyed it very much. The two major works on the concert were a Beethoven quintet and a Poulenc sextet. If you've listened and performed Beethoven, his wind music can sound pretty predictable, but it was done very tastefully and artfully. The Poulenc, which is a 20th century work, was less predictable, but contained many of the same qualities of the Beethoven. I think it was important for the two works to be performed in that order so that the audience could hear the progression of this style of chamber music over the centuries.
          I may be a little biased (my car insurance is even with Progressive), and I don't bash the beliefs of other people, but I am definitely amongst those who believe in change and evolution. I hope everyone goes out and votes tomorrow, and despite your political persuasion, consider the aspects of your life influenced by change, and see if that thought has a place in the selections you make in the booth. I can't reference specific California issues because I still consider myself new here, so I'll just see what Stephen Colbert has to say and go along with that...haha