“For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.”

Today I celebrate our life as a human animal, in relationship to other animals and the natural world. Beethoven would wholly approve of that celebration, as shown in his own words. 

“No one can love the country as much as I do. For surely woods, trees, and rocks produce the echo which man desires to hear.”

How happy I am to be able to walk among the shrubs, the trees, the woods, the grass, and the rocks! For the woods, the trees and the rocks give man the resonance he needs.”

And his favorite book? A well worn and marked book of daily meditations on the natural world, “Reflections on the Works of God in Nature and Providence for Every Day in the Year”, by the Lutheran minister, Christoph Christian Sturm. So it is no surprise that Beethoven felt compelled to write an homage to the natural world, his Sixth Symphony, most often knows as the Pastoral Symphony. It is the counterpunch to his Fifth Symphony and was written in tandem. Here is an excellent video recording from The Proms, 2012, transcendentally conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

In celebration of Beethoven’s 250^th birthday, and to honor his commitment to the natural world, a group of musicians and activists launched “The Pastoral Project”, a celebration of both Beethoven and environmental activism. Explore and enjoy all the ways in which the world has celebrated this cause through our hero, Beethoven. I was happy to see one of my favorite writers, performers and activists, Patti Smith, featured in this event. She says “Beethoven has given a body of work reverberating the spectrum of human emotions, ideals and visionary possibilities. A body of work that will eternally inspire.” It is endless fun to explore this celebration with original art videos and creative pandemic confabs.

While thinking on this theme I came across an incredible amount of research about the effect of music upon our non-human compatriots on this planet. It is fascinating to me, both as a pet owner and nature lover, but it is also a topic of interest to scientists who study animal behavior. For example, it turns out that dogs react to different forms of music and that this topic has been studied extensively. It is significant enough of importance that many animal rescue shelters now play classical music to help calm irritability and stress. This classical violinist is a regular performer for the dogs at this shelter.

One of the most moving examples of the effect of music upon animals is this series of performances at Elephants World, an elephant rescue reserve in Thailand. While recovering in retirement from illness, abuse, and overwork, these giant beasts sway, swing and caress the piano with their trunks, and they especially like Beethoven! I’ve chosen a few examples here, but there is more much than this at “Piano for Elephants”.

I believe I’ve found the perfect poem that fits the deep kinship between humans and animals with reverence, humor, love, and an abundance of spirit. Although written by Christopher Smart  in the 1700’s, it is still thoroughly modern and according to the website of the American Academy of Poets, he had an impact upon 20^th century masters such as Theodore Roethke and Allen Ginsberg. I can believe it. Here is an edited version:

Jubilate Agno, Fragment B, [For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry]

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness….
For having considered God and himself he will consider his neighbor.
For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.
For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.
For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.
…..
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness when God tells him he’s a good Cat.
…..
For every family had one cat at least in the bag.
For the English Cats are the best in Europe.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For the dexterity of his defense is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For he is tenacious of his point.
For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.
For he knows that God is his Saviour.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest. 
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion. 
….
For his tongue is exceeding pure so that it has in purity what it wants in music.
For he is docile and can learn certain things.
For he can sit up with gravity, which is patience upon approbation.
For he can fetch and carry, which is patience in employment.
For he can jump over a stick, which is patience upon proof positive.
For he can spraggle upon waggle at the word of command.
For he can jump from an eminence into his master’s bosom.
For he can catch the cork and toss it again.
….
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.
For I perceived God’s light about him both wax and fire.
For the electrical fire is the spiritual substance which God sends from heaven to sustain the bodies both of man and beast.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For, though he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.
For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadruped.
For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.
For he can swim for life.
For he can creep.

God’s creature creeps, just as it was meant to do. I love this. And the elephant sways. And the dog ceases his barking and listens. And as I write this my own cat is poking and prodding me to come out of my office and pay her some attention. It is her due, since this adventure in music and poetry has been all consuming. Until next time we meet, enjoy music, dive into poetry, and thanks for visiting thetonepoet.com.