Friday, May 28, 2010

Why I Love Classical Music by Carrie Lofty

My family did not listen to classical music much when I was growing up. We were much more of a pop music bunch, with MTV providing the soundtrack to most of my childhood--back when they played music, of course. The exception came at Christmas time, when my mothers' favorites included Bing Crosby and Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER. Cozy, happy memories of her baking cookies and making candy for holiday functions are twined with "Waltz of the Snowflakes" and the various coffee, tea and chocolate dances.

That's a good place to start: classical music as a portal into the most comforting of childhood memories.

In later years I expanded my repertoire not through learning to play an instrument, but out of a snobbish inclination that I should. Not the most honest of motives, I admit. The effect, however, was profound. What started with dabbling in the soundtrack to AMADEUS turned into an all-out classical music adventure when my daughters were just born.

Have you had children? Did you experience a brain void in those months after they were born? I found that I couldn't concentrate very well. Even the most formulaic books were beyond my limited ability to focus. I started listening to a lot of classical music once again, not out of a snobbish curiosity but because I enjoyed its soothing powers.

As my brain thawed, I took in more and more. I discovered that Beethoven's Fifth was more than just its famous opening four notes. I discovered that I am deeply fond of the cello, but that the right violin vibrato can make me cry. I also discovered a marvelous teaching series about classical music, which opened up the theory and history in ways I'd been unable to study before.

That interest coincided with my decision to actively pursue publication. Where else would I set a romance other than Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart? And who else would it feature other than musicians? The decision was a natural extension of my fascination.

What I didn't know much about at the time was how romance publishing worked. The manuscript that became my June release, SONG OF SEDUCTION, received almost identical rejections wherever I submitted: a great book, but the setting is a deal-breaker.

I went on to indulge in other research obsessions, including Robin Hood (for WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS) and Spanish warrior monks (for SCOUNDREL'S KISS), but I never gave up on my sensuous Salzburg-set baby. Now we're mere days from its launch and I couldn't be happier. I think this happy occasion calls for a little Tchaikovsky.




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Born in California, raised in the Midwest, Carrie Lofty met her husband in England—the best souvenir! Since earning her master's in history, she's been devoted to raising two precocious daughters and writing romance.

In June 2010, SONG OF SEDUCTION, Carrie’s sensual tale of two lovelorn musicians in Napoleonic Austria will help launch Carina Press, Harlequin’s new digital-first venture. Its sequel, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, will follow in early 2011. You can learn more about the author at her site: http://www.carrielofty.com/ and read her interesting guest post Why I Love unusual settings posted here at Historical Tapestry a few months ago.

8 comments:

  1. It's so cool that you were brought up with so much pop music and you managed to find a passion for classical music. I think more and more it's gaining some coolness in the mainstream. I found this video of Jason Bateman who also loves classical music.
    http://www.itsasickness.com/lounge/jason-bateman-obsessed-classical-music
    I think it's neat because he is such pop culture star, it made me excited that he is helping turn others on to it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's so cool that you were brought up with so much pop music and you managed to find a passion for classical music. I think more and more it's gaining some coolness in the mainstream. I found this video of Jason Bateman who also loves classical music.
    http://www.itsasickness.com/lounge/jason-bateman-obsessed-classical-music
    I think it's neat because he is such a pop culture star, it made me excited that he is helping turn others on to it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was pretty much brought up on classical music, as my mother especially, just wouldn't listen to anything else, and may father often played Bach pieces on our piano. It makes for interesting childhood memories, though I have learned to appreciate other types of music since that time: some pop, lots of jazz, some bluegrass and Brazilian and Irish, for example. There's good stuff in all forms.

    But my "go-to" music is still classical, and certain classical pieces(yes, including Tchaikovsky), inspired some characters and scenes in the Great Medieval Science Fiction Masterpiece I'm writing. I"m glad I had this background, although my tastes are a lot broader now.
    ANne G

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  4. Carrie, thanks so much for guest posting for us again! I am so glad that you persisted with your ideas about writing unusual settings, both with your initial releases and this one. I love the idea of a romance set in Salzburg. Fascinating.

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  5. I'm late stopping by, but I wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I love hearing about how diverse people's experiences can be with music, because music is such a tremendous part of my life. Thanks so much to Historical Tapestry for letting me stop by!

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  6. I havent listened to much classical music myself, but The Nutcracker was always a favorite of mine. It does remind me of being little and waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas eve.
    Great post!
    Song of Seduction does sound good!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete