Unfinished Symphonies
May 11, 2026
Schubert the Austrian composer, died a premature death in his 30s, leaving a symphony unfinished. I recently listened to this incomplete work, at the Coliseau in Porto on a fresh Sunday morning. It was a visual and auditory delight. Where sound and art collided to make something so delicious, that it will be forever remembered.
A symphony has 4 movements, like the fast/ slow dance pattern. The first movement is the Allegro, the Adagio the second, the Minuet the third and the Finale the fourth. As I mused on the facts of Schubert’s unfinished symphony, I reflected that OUR lives are like a symphony.
In the Spring of life - our Allegro season - we are fast and furious, running headlong and with desire into the arms of all possibilities.
When Saturn sets boundaries - our Adagio phase - we sort the wheat from the chaff, rooting with responsibilities, narrowing reality and contemplating illusion.
With a lightness of being - our Minuet epoch - we let go of the outgrown and point our soul compass towards the True North, and the finale we know is at longitude.
As the cymbals clash - our Finale conclusion - we take the reins of our chariot, which will carry us up and beyond the spectacle of our lives, to reach the cosmic star of our sacred home.
I’m enjoying my PERSONAL MINUET right now, dancing to as many varieties of music as is possible, from U2 to Aznavour and Piaf. Laughing with a lightness of being, as I let go of the Allegro and Adagio movements. To everything there is a season. I’m tap tapping to a groovy kind of beat, and it’s epically awesome.
Come join me with your dancing shoes. Let’s do a Porto Pirouette together. Moving rhythmically is always best experienced together. In circle, in unity with friends and loved ones. From cha cha cha to rock and roll, our bodies are made to sway and shimmy and samba. It’s our primal urge. We are living symphonies so go make your personal music. 🕺🏼💃🎼🪗
