This is not something I would normally share, especially with complete strangers on the internet. But here goes. My father requested, in his will, that the slow movement from Schubert's String Quintet in C major be played at his funeral. We assembled a group of musicians and I played the first cello part. Personally I have long regarded this as the most beautiful piece of music ever written. It plumbs depths of emotion like nothing else I have ever heard. And here's the funny thing: I poured my heart and soul into that performance, but somehow, never let my own personal grief in, until the final chord - at which moment I broke down. How would I be honouring my father if I lost it during the performance itself? So I just immersed myself in the music, forgot who I was, and gave it the best that I could. I don't think it was any better than I could do on any other day, and I doubt that Celine hit her high note any more spectacularly than she usually does. The point I'm making, like Adam's mum, is that during the performance, you can't afford to feel the emotion in the music. What's important is to communicate that emotion to the listener.

The pause for Celine was deeply emotional as she was still vulnerable, in profound grief over the loss of her beloved husband, Rene and the words moved her .

I went down the YouTube rabbit hole. I don't play an instrument, or know how to read music, and I have no clue what he is talking about, but somehow I find it very interesting?

She lost her husband, and singing about being all by herself no doubt was a trigger for emotions, besides the effort she always puts in to make her singing outstanding, it pulls emotion from any singer who feels the lyrics.

People in STEM (like me) need to watch this and learn to appreciate the incredible complexity and education needed to attain such a deep analytic understanding of musical theory. A PhD in music takes the same effort as. Phd in Engineering

“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”

“It’s a very athletic exercise...” That is the same thing Diana Damrau said about retiring from singing the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. There is a sheer physicality to that kind of performacne. It’s like how ballet looks so elegant and graceful but actually requires almost unimaginable strength and coordination. That’s what the best singers do with their voices.

yup! love the fact that David Foster surprised Celine with the high note WHILE RECORDING and she just smashed it. serious talent from everyone involved.

Wow, I'm amazed at Adam Neely's understanding of how specific notes and cords trigger emotions. Because my work in the voice over field, I'm always seeking to refine how my voice conveys emotion. Even though I'm not singing, I'm curious to see how I can apply these concepts. That's a new and fascinating journey for me, so thank you Adam for the food for thought and inspiration.

I can understand why she had to stop. She lost the love of her life and she didn't want to be by herself anymore. I'm sure she truly felt those lyrics. Music is so powerful

The minute you mentioned Rachmaninov’s 2nd, I realized why I love All By Myself. Rachmaninov’s Second piano Concerto is, in my opinion, the most beautiful piece of music ever written.