Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast

Says William Congreve, Wigged Whig, Misquoted Beast, & Turner of Phrases

I'm not sure how many people from DFW, aka the Metroplex, read this blog, but every once in a while I include something of local relevance.  (Last time, it was a link to the DFW Roleplayers group's webpage.)  This time, it is to spread the word about a new baroque music group, La Novella Baroque.  I love baroque, and if you have never heard it live, you owe it to yourself to address this deprivation.  It is much warmer and sweeter in person than it is recorded.  I can neither affirm nor deny the rumor that beautiful music is more enjoyable when played by beautiful people -- I'll let you decide that for yourself, gentle readers.  But the excellence of virtuosity and of pieces, presented on period instruments, means the entertainment of the old nobility is practically being given away to today's public by this excellent young group.  Even if you don't qualify for discounted tickets, the full price ones are a bargain.  If you live in the area or visit during one of their performances, I hope you will treat yourself.

Bravo, La Novella Baroque!

What does all this have to do with mythopoesis, you ask?  Well, how often do you consider what kind of music would populate your world?  It is another detail of world-building that can add to the sense of secondary creation.  For example, the musical explosion of early baroque represented an achievement of musical technology, the maturing of a long history of earlier musical traditions, and cultural interactions in a context of political unification and conflict.  It would take a similar setting, not necessarily with the same level of technology in other areas, to support this advanced, courtly art form.  Thinking about music in the various areas of the setting is of a piece with the structure as well as the character of that part of the setting.  Music can also be tied to characters: closer to the inspiration of this post, consider the musical component of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin.

Finally, if you have never listened to music while brainstorming, writing, or preparing (especially instrumental music), give it a try.  Different choices of music can make for great inspiration.