… sort of.

Think about love and Romeo and Juliet always seem come to mind. The story is ancient, but still continues to speak to us; it continues to be remade and recycled even to this day. As we all know, it’s doesn’t end well for the lovers. So, if you’re making Valentine’s Day plans, better steer clear of wooing your partner with references to R. or J.

Instead of the play, you could put on this music by Tchaikovsky, which has become the unofficial music of passionate love, found in all sorts of cartoons, commercials, and other entertainment (the best example of this being, of course, Ren & Stimpy.)

And, if you’re single this weekend, you can still enjoy this music, knowing those blasted lovers don’t get to experience the happiest of endings.

Loud sounds elicit an emotional response. It’s one of the reasons rock concerts are so exciting, and elevator music is so boring. So how did people rock out before 500-watt speakers were invented?

That’s how. Thanks, Tchaikovsky!

I’ve been posting longer things to listen to these last two days, largely because of the holiday that helps us all slow down and appreciate the finer things in life. I hope you’ll let me indulge on more time.

Growing up, my family had a number of traditions which took place over the Thanksgiving weekend. Thursday, we went to watch the marching band perform (two football teams would compete as the opening and closing acts to the performance.) Friday, we made about five pounds of chex mix and went to our town’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. On Saturday, we ate all five pounds of chex mix while we decorated the house and set up the Christmas tree – while listening to the Nutcracker.

There are a number of secular pieces that, for one reason or another, have become associated with the December holidays – La Boheme, Amahl and the Night Visitors – but of them all, the Nutcracker is king!

The story comes from the early 19th century tale by German author E. T. A. Hoffman, and it’s weird. Even so, it’s charming and cute, and makes for a great ballet which calls for a huge number of dancers, including many children. If you have any dancers in your family, you’ve no doubt been subjected to the Nutcracker multiple times.

It’s sentimental, maybe clichéd – but you gotta love it. After all, nobody can beat Tchaikovsky when it comes to the art of melody-writing.