Wonderful words from the 17th century poet, William Strode:

In Commendation of Music

When whispering strains do softly steal
With creeping passion through the heart
And when with every touch we feel
Our pulses beat and bear a part;
When threads can make
A heartstring shake
Philosophy
Can scarce deny
The soul consists of harmony.

The poem goes on and among my favourite lines are:

O lull me, lull me, charming air,
My senses rock with wonder sweet;
Like snow on wool thy fallings are,
soft like a spirit’s, are thy feet:

It is a wonderfully evocative poem and encapsulates the magic and deeply sensory nature of our relationship with music. A good poem can also have this effect.

Very best wishes, Denny Bradbury