In “The Ecstasy and Tragedy of a Genius,” author Peter F. Oswald shares the story of a famous and successful composer and pianist, Glenn Gould. Glenn Gould was born on September 25, 1932 to his mother Florence Emma Gould and father Russell Herbert Gould. Even before Glenn was born, his mother was determined that her “[…] child would have to be a successful musician, hopefully a great pianist” (Ostwald, 1997, p.39). At the age of three, both parents realized that Glenn was talented and gifted with absolute pitch (Ostwald 1997, p.44). Despite Glenn’s success, he went through challenges during his lifetime, but he overcame these challenges in a specific way that was appropriate for him. Some of the apparent challenges in Glenn’s life evolved around anxiety and included performing in front of audiences, fearing illness, and forming relationships with others. It is important to understand how these challenges established and how certain defense mechanisms helped him overcome these challenges.
Firstly, I feel the greatest challenge Glenn faced was his fear of performing in front of large audiences and crowds that were present during his performances. Glenn being a successful pianist attracted many people to come watch him perform. As well, without performing in front of large crowds the audience would not have been able to witness the unique way in which Glenn sat at the piano including his posture, which created a ton of attraction. However, the idea of performing in front of large audiences was not something that Glenn felt comfortable with and sometimes it led him to cancel his shows. Audiences in general I feel created distrust for Glenn because the audience is focusing their attention solely on him and possibly judging him. Consid...
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References
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Ostwald, Peter, F. (1997). Glenn Gould: The Ecstasy and Tragedy of Genius. New York: London. W.W. Norton & Company.
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In 1927, Copland’s first major performance as a pianist took place with his “Piano Concerto” featuring Russian conductor/composer Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Over the next twenty years, Copland would achieve many feats including teaching at Harvard, writing a film score for the documentary The City, and winning a Pulitzer Prize in Music for Appalachian Spring a ballet composed in 1944. Interestingly enough, in 1953 he became caught up in the anti-communist hysteria and was subpoenaed to testify at the infamous McCarthy Congressional hearings, causing many of his musical engagements to be canceled. Without implicating any of his friends or colleagues, he competently navigated the questions asked of him by the committee, all the while sticking to his own personal principles and opinions on issues like socialism. One important milestone of his career happened in 19...
Hypochondriasis is defined in the DSM-IV-TR under somatoform disorders as “Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person’s misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.” This preoccupation of having an illness will persist even after medical evaluation.
This essay will explore one of the possible combinations of theories on personality and explain how it can be applied in practical therapy.
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John Philip Sousa’s life started on November sixth, 1854 in Washington. “Philip was a rugged individualist at the age of four.”(9). His early stubborn nature prevented him from attending school due to catching pneumonia from sleeping outdoors when his mother denied him sweets. Sousa’s home-schooling left him craving for an activity and John Esputa started to teach young Philip music. A variety of music lessons took place, leaving Sousa frustrated with critical teachers and challenging new instruments. Eventually he enrolled in school, mainly for safety from the upcoming war, but the young musician excelled in his studies. Meanwhile, trouble with his music lessons occurred, leading him to quit music and attempt baking instead. His heart already belonged to music though, and he returned to music as the child prodigy who fearlessly performed at age ten for large audiences. He already conducted a band of grown men, accepted offers to play in a circus band, and ended up joining the Marine Band before his late teens. The Marine Band a...
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Sigmund Freud provides a concept of how a person’s personality is structured and to have a healthy personality requires a balance in the interaction between the id, ego, and superego. Bandura’s theory of observational learning plays a vital role in the persons conditioning process. By understanding the basis of observational learning that includes modeling, disinhibition, and trolling, one can recognize the different types of reinforcements that contribute to how one learns and then behaves in situations throughout their life. The experience and knowledge of self-discovery comes gradually without an instantaneous impact. Although, moments of true realization can give one a release from past insecurities, doubt, and shame just to name a few. Such realizations can change how one views or feels about their past, which includes their choices, successes, failures, and the different relationships they have had from birth to the present. In conclusion, one should invest in getting to know their own personality to educate themselves and receive the benefits of a healthy state of mental
middle of paper ... ... Retrieved June 16, 2002, from http://nimh.nih.gov/publicat/numbers.cfm. National Mental Health Association. 2000 May 15.
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