Genesis, Firth Of Fifth - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

#genesis
This song has been on my list for a long time. I was finally able to sit down and give it proper attention and, as you will see by watching this video, it was a rewarding and enjoyable experience! Keep your eyes open for the in-depth video coming soon!

Here’s the link to the original song by Genesis:

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Special thanks to those who are keeping my ko-fi cup supplied:
I’ve formed the habit of publishing all the names of my supporters simply because I appreciate your appreciation of my work, and I want to recognize each one of you personally. But, unfortunately, YouTube allows a limited number of characters for the description, and I cannot fit all names anymore. So, this is my message to each one of my supporters personally:
THANK YOU!
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.

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Credits: Music written and performed by Genesis

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[VirginRock]

Please write here your questions only.

[doughorton]

Even after having listened to this song for decades, Steve Hackett's guitar solo still sends shivers up and down my spine.

[R]

We were so blessed to have grown up with this music. Genesis, Yes, Moody Blues, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, etc.

[EessaTube]

My mother only ever listened to classical music. When she died, aged 80, we went to her flat, where I found, in her collection of tapes, two Genesis albums. Selling England by the Pound and A Trick of the Tail.

[suasponte]

I‘m 66 years old and was quite a young man when this music was released. All the years I thought I am the only one who could understand the importance of this orchestral Rock Music. The Musical Box, Fountain of Salmacis, Firth of Fifth…true Genesis masterpieces. They never come back. Thank you so much for your professional review. Greetings from Germany

[keithdonald]

That guitar solo is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in any song .Always takes me out of myself and brings a tear to my eye.

[Dante_Bruno]

ONE OF THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL TIMES. Tony Banks and Steve Hackett...they are sublime. PURE TALENT. I'm in tears every time a hear it. Thanx for your work!!!

[Tonyblack]

In my opinion, one of the greatest guitar solos ever.

[richardmasch]

I've heard this song a thousand times. I've seen it performed another 25 times. I still get chills and get teary-eyed by it's pure beauty.

[KimBioni]

Selling england by the pound is just something else, its like the Dark side of the Moon, the perfect combination of all members, brilliant album

[EddioPinaR]

Firth of fifth is one of the greatest compositions of XX century. Without a doubt

[freefall]

This song. This song. There is so much genius in this song. Banks’ composition. Hackett’s guitar solo. Phil Collins’ drumming throughout. The bass line is amazing, Rutherford at his best. Gabriel there to bring it together. Every time I hear it, tears.

[teowiz]

the fact that they composed this in their early twenties is mind boggling

[RudieVissenberg]

One of the most powerful rock songs from the 70s with one of the most beautiful piano intros and guitar solos. I know this song since my youth but again I became emotional again. Tony Banks' piano and Steve Hackett's guitar solos are monuments. Phil Collins drumming is so inventive and with Peter Gabriel's voice and bass work by Mike Rutherford it is complete. So good to hear that the song still stands strong.

[yorkshirepuds]

Amy's reaction at 25:15 to the crescendo of the guitar solo says it all... a moment of music that, even after more than 40 years of listening to it, still takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.

[PungkiSaputro-uc]

You have to listen to all Genesis music of the Peter Gabriel era. Simply wonderful! I'm 74, I listen to Genesis almost since their inception, and still be mesmerized by their music... thank you for your expert comments, it gives me an even better -- dare I say ''more deeper understanding'? of the music of Genesis. God bless Genesis for such beautiful music and God bles you for enambling me to enjoy it even better.

[skeezix]

This solo has been able to bring me to tears for over 40 years. I never aspired to do anything profound with my life. Just simple pleasures, loving my children, friends & family, always a working professional, finding that at every stage of life the music of my youth continues to move me and touch my soul. This lovely, accomplished woman somehow validates why Steve’s lead guitar and the entire composition have always meant so much to me.

[domenicdandrea]

The guitar solo echoes the last line of the verse' ''a sirens' cry''.It evokes in me a feeling of extreme sadness ----like the soul crying out in pain.I absolutely love this song! As a guitarist I am moved by it!

[nectarineearth]

A lot of people are homing in.on the track itself and the musical skill, and rightly so, but I was SO swept away by the critique. So much has been written about Firth of Fifth there's almost no.more room for maneuver apart from saying how great it is (and it is) but this classical critique was something new and mind blowing. So grateful to have such a skilled classical musician offering a step by step description of soaring peaks and colors. In Steve's solo, I heard a rise in.pitch; you 'saw' it as height; where I heard a change in tone and tempo, you experienced colours. It was lovely, right down to the piano coda, with arpeggios fading away like a piper's lament into the mist..Madame, I salute you and thank you.

[MrAitraining]

Steve Hackett's guitar is crying in that solo. So amazing.