First Glance

Information:

• Source: Hello World Notebook
• Key: G Major
• Measures: 37
• Parts: Cello and Piano
• Duration: 3:08
• Pages: 3 Pages

Hi,

There are moments that divide time into before and after. A single glance lasting mere seconds could shift our entire world. When we see something or someone for the first time, we immediately form opinions, these moments could define everything after that. “First glances” represent one of our most profound experiences.

Needless to say, first glances in music occur through our sense of hearing. These moments are as powerful as any other moment, of which, our sigh is involved. There is something magical about hearing a song for the very first time. The uncertainty is part of what makes that “first listen” so exciting. My mind is actively trying to figure out the patterns, working on categorize, also understand and emotionally process what I am hearing.

There are songs that had surprised me and delighted me in ways that had become impossible to ignore and once the music becomes part of my life,
it is also impossible to let go. I have made a list of songs that from the first glance I’ve immediately fallen in love with.

The List

My German Lover by Hada to Hada.
A song that makes me so happy to be sad. It certainly reminds me that are things that never lose their meaning no matter how long had passed. This song was love at first sigh, and every single time I listen to it, I feel as if my life depends on it.

So cold in Ireland by The Cranberries
With her unmistakable voice, Dolores delivers to the world, a message of pain and despair, in which, she questions a reality only she understands, but when I listening to it, I feel her pain in the most profound way. Strangely, the song makes me nostalgic for being Irish, even though, I was born in Mexico.

Otro Muerto by Mecano
It is refreshing how In a very casual way, Ana Torroja shares a perspective of life and death. Not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions, nor she shy away when is time to confirm what I’ve known all my life: That once you are death, guess what? you are very much death. No Heaven, nor Hell, no limbo, no Soul coming out of the body and go on living in a spiritual realm. Just death. I’m not attached to this world, when and if it is time to go, so be it, I would be happy to oblige. I’d be just another casualty of life. We all will be.

Pluto by Bjork
The explosive electronic music is out of this world, I dare say from Pluto, and Bjork’s voice is as unusual as the melody lines. For the first time in my life, I felt a connection to a song so emotionally strong, that all that energy my body consumes after listening to it, makes me tired and renewed, all at at the same time.

From the Opera Griselda: Agitata da due venti by Vivaldi
When I first hear this Aria, I was amaze. I could only think of two things: The technical difficulty, and the “happy” energy of the melody of this piece. Both, over shadows in my opinion, the tragic meaning of the lyrics. Nevertheless, from a fist glance, I knew I was in for an amazing ride, and I’ve never looked back. All the feelings this Aria reproduces in my, is not easy to articulate. All I can say is: Viva Vivaldi

In turn, I’ve composed a piece of music that reminds me of the importance of the instance of looking briefly at someone, or something. In a world that often moves too quickly for deep connection, this piece will remind me to pause, look carefully, and remain open to the extraordinary possibilities contained within ordinary moments of a first glance.

The initial encounter with a song, can reshape my understanding of what music can do to my life. As a composer, the excitement of introducing new music into my life is so very inspirational. Without preconceptions or familiarity, I approach new music with care and attention.

These same first encounters applied to life itself. The next time you catch someone’s eye across a room, remember that you might be participating in one of humanity’s most powerful moments. When two people recognize something valuable in each other, creating a connection that may extend far beyond that single first glance.

The power of first glance lies in its potential for lasting transformation. These brief encounters can redirect life paths, inspire personal growth, and create romantic, professional or simply human connections. They indeed, without a question, could endure a lifetime. The moments when we truly see and are seen by another person represent some of life’s most precious experiences.

First listening is ultimately about possibility – the possibility of being moved, changed, or challenged by something I’ve never encountered before. While I can never truly replicate that initial spark, this piece will remind me to keep seeking for new musical experiences, hoping for that next encounter with the unknown.

©Javier Anaya