I was listening to some Mozart and in one of his works, the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was embedded within. Apparently, the melody is an old traditional folk one and obviously also the tune to which we sing the letters of the alphabet. There is a lesson to be learned here about what endures.

I have written previously that we take nothing with us and it’s rather what we leave behind that counts.

In the context of music, write one great song and you’ll be immortal. I talked about this with my grandfather figure who is a professional musician. Did these composers realize that their music will touch so many – years, decades, even centuries after they were conceived?

I’ve also contemplated why some composers are legendary. There is good, even great. And there is another level. Also applies to other fields.

In the movie Amadeus, which chronicles the rivalry between Salieri and Mozart, much is made about the marked difference between their work. It isn’t pure fiction. Salieri’s music, to me, is perfectly good but it isn’t Mozart. The latter has a special quality that is truly transcendent and captures so much of the soul. There is a range and sense of inspiration.

Where did that all come from?

Talent, work, training, motivation, opportunity, pain? Some or all the above?

God?

What were my songs?

My students, cases, poetry, writing, memories.

My children foremost.

And even though it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song with the secret chords and the hallelujah – the holy, cold, and broken.