Mozart’s symphony No. 40 in G minor is one of his greatest masterpieces, and many individuals quickly take delight in its somewhat happy and charming tune, especially in the first movement. Yet Mozart was probably providing clues to his inner turmoils throughout this piece. He chose to compose it in a minor key, which may have signified that it would be a sad piece. In the year that he wrote this song, his six-month-old daughter had died, and his wife was very sick. Yet, despite it all, Mozart produced. Throughout the symphony’s first movement, the listener hears a sweet melody that transforms and builds like a storm brewing. Despite all the spasms of the various currents, Mozart keeps the original structure and melody of the song intact.

Sometimes we meet individuals who appear happy or put their very best forward. We enjoy their production and walk away with only a partial glimpse of their lives and inner struggle. If we peered deeper, we would have seen and heard that they were speaking and playing for us in a minor key. If we had taken the time to listen, we would have heard how hard-pressed they felt in trying to hold everything together. What sounded like a grand crescendo to us was just a sigh of relief that they survived a storm. The next time you sit with a friend or have the opportunity to listen to someone, listen well to the key they are playing. Keep listening until you hear their heart and they feel that you understand. Mozart may have been crying out for help while the world applauded his production.