Response to Mimi Ezust's method of listening to her personal collection:

I agree with you that concentration on a particular composer or
form of music one chooses to listen to or perform, helps to memorize,
to familiarize and to point up differences of classic to modern,
Hip vs. modern instrumentation.  It heightens the enjoyment for the
listener/performer.  I travel the musical world sampling opera, orchestra,
quartets, piano duos, large works and choral works, soloists, more or less
like an aphid feeding on one leaf or another of a beautiful plant.  There
is so much to learn about so much in the music world.  Just as I think I
understand and have a handle on one form or school, a new angle is made
known to me and I am momentarily overwhelmed by the new deluge of
information and its assimilation.

Now in my senior years, it is probably impossible for me to learn as
much as I would like to about all the topics that are covered by listers.
But the knowledge seems to be very functional and soon is more comfortable
and enjoyable.  Each major subject seems to have its relative minor so
to speak.  The distinct "DNA" make up of tempo, use of instrument, form
(minuet,concerto, sonata, etc.) of the composer's style, marks his work
as distinctly his.  With enough practice at reading, listening and playing
the pieces and recognizing the dynamics and use of particular patterns of
a composer, the student can identify the characteristics of his dear
friend, be it Mozart, Bach, Chopin, or Brahms.

The List is a great form of personal education, a way to be exposed to the
makers and shakers of the music world.  I am learning how important it is
to remember recording catalogue numbers and numbers of works which had not
been emphasized before the challenge of the listers.

Jane Pierce