Eat, Cook, Sing
Mannheim, Germany was one of the important hubs of music innovation, study, and stature in the 18th century. It’s patron, Elector Charles III Philip attracted some of the finest musicians in Europe and was widely considered to host the prestige orchestra of its day. Johann Stamitz was among the more famous names to come from this place, and Mozart senior and son were also recorded among its attendees. There are a few noteworthy characteristics of this court outside of the typical story.
First, while Mannheim hosted a great deal of feature concerts for ensembles to show off the latest compositions from composers of the day, it also served as a place to enjoy a multitude of entertainment with music, simply present as part of the atmosphere. There are paintings depicting the regular leisure activities with a variety of different size accompaniment. This is one of the more effective examples of what could be considered “mood” or uses of music for general “atmosphere”. While music had maintained a set place in providing function, like dance and storytelling, this was a noteworthy example of music used more or less what we might consider as a live jukebox. Audiences would play cards, relax, socialize, and engage in activities reserved for the nobility with extravagant, paid, professional musicians playing the classical music repertoire of the day casually in the background. This was at the direction and pleasure of its benefactor, Charles Philip, with whom this was all possible because of his own love and participation in music. One might wonder what greater levels of live performance might be inclusionary in our own societal norms if more of our public officials and modern aristocracy had greater engagement in music education as part of their upbringing.
Amongst some of the more functionary uses of music throughout the ages, dinner music has been a long-standing practice. Edward W. Naylor writes in his book, “Shakespeare and Music…” (Good Press, 2019) about social life in the 16th century, England where dinner parties might be help where the entire conversation was simply about music itself. In our modern world, there is a myriad of benefits that people experience from live music in restaurants. Tablemi (https://medium.com/@Tablemi) lists a number of them in their article about links between music and food.( https://medium.com/from-the-kitchen/why-music-and-food-go-together-6f76df19ed20) Not only does society have a great deal to say about the benefits of live music at the dinner table, there are plenty who attest to the music of cooking, and its help in the actual preparations. While its unlikely (and certainly undocumented) that the cooks of Mannheim had their own personal orchestras, they certainly were in proximity of the stages and it could be imagined that they received its benefits, even though it may have not been intended for them.
Aubrey Thompson of University of St. Andrews writes about “Food and Music Pairing: Best Music For What You Are Cooking”. She sites “The musical choices you make while in the kitchen can take you from amateur to a legitimate chef that all your friends want to professionally hire.” If ever there was a bold endorsement of how impactful music can be in our other endeavors, this is one! While its clear in this day and age, we have plenty of methodology to dissect the impacts of music and its connection to our memory associations, especially when it comes to fundamental parts of our society, like eating and education, it is interesting to view how the royalty courts of European aristocracy may have just seen this as part of their privilege.
Michelle N. Gerrard (http://michellenicolegerrard.com/) is a nutritionist and friend who believes in the connections between poetry, art, soul, and music. While there is no telling the healing power of her creation may have attributed to the 17th and 18th centuries, today she says’ “I don’t do much in my life without music but cooking especially. Since I was little, (cooking) has been set to different soundtracks.” Part of her core message includes “recipes to inspire and entice all the senses. Created from local, organic ingredients. Celebrating the produce of each season. Inspired by all that grows with such vivid life in Ojai, each dish is an ode to all that surrounds me.” That ode may be metaphorical, but its connections to our activities and the melodies that stimulate them is palpable. Keep posted for more conversations with her about how powerful music is when active in the art of food creation.
From the dinner table of 16th century England, to the noble courts of 18th century Germany, to the humble shops of 21st century Ojai, CA, music holds powerful connections to our creativity, social engagement, and inspiration. That favorite restaurant may not be your favorite place to eat just because of the food, and the food you’re eating may not be just a result of the recipe. If you listen closely, you might just hear a singing in the mix.
Listen to Aubry Thompson’s recommendation or pesto mixing music today with The Alabama Shakes, “Boys and Girls”