Perspective

Maybe Wilhelm Friedemann Bach wasn't a "classic underachiever," maybe he just didn't want to do exactly what everybody expected him to do. Maybe he didn't want to be a composer; maybe he just wanted to be a fisherman or work at the laundry or get an old carriage and a couple of horses and travel the countryside. Or maybe he did love music, but he didn't want to play in stuffy concert halls and live up to the expectations of contemporary, mainstream culture. Maybe he didn't want to compose "accessible" music. Maybe he wanted to play little cafes in small towns and connect with the townspeople. Maybe he just wanted to live -- truly live! There's lots of ways to live, Dad! Just because you're a successful composer, doesn't mean I have to be too, Dad!! There's more to me than you, Dad!! Why can't I just be my own person?!? You know, maybe my life wouldn't be such a mess if I was just allowed to be ME!! Did you ever think of that, huh? Huh? HUH?!?!? Oh, the whole world thinks I'm a tragic waste of potential? Is that so?? IS' MIR SCHEIßEGAL!!!