We All Rebel

http://www.peterubel.com/uncategorized/something-i-have-in-common-with-beethoven/

Rebel Music, written by Daniel Felsenfeld, tells the story of how he became attracted to a “different kind of music” in his teenage years, which lead him to be the composer he is today. When Daniel was 17 years old he lived in what he called "the ideal suburban community", Orange County, California. He states that living there made him feel as if he was experiencing a personal drought and lack of culture, especially music. Some afternoons Daniel would go over to his friend Mike's house to listen to tapes, and one-day Mike introduced him to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Daniel felt that it was the first time he thought he was actually listening to real music, and it turned out to have a drug-like effect on him. He took a few other classical music tapes Mike had and liked them so much he started listening to them in secret on his way to school. He felt a bit odd being the only one he knew that listened to this “different kind of music”, but if he hadn’t rebelled he wouldn’t have found his passion and he wouldn’t have become the composer he is today, in New York.

Now, when Daniel composes, he thinks back to when he was inexperienced, listening to Beethoven for the first time because it helps him do his best work. Rebelling even the smartest kids, who listened to goth, metal, and punk at the time, is the reason Daniel is where he is at now. It turns out that rebelling from the "normal" can result in something amazing and I like how the author expresses that in the essay. We shouldn't feel weird for enjoying something that someone else doesn't. I believe that if you have a passion for something, no matter what it is, you should put it to use and make something great out of it. Some people go their entire life not knowing what they are truly passionate about. I for one, am happy that the author chose to further his interest in classical music by becoming a composer. He inspired me to rebel from what everyone else does once and awhile because who knows, you might actually find your true self.