Agree 100%, Herb7734. What I have a taste for often depends on what I'm doing at the time. When I'm writing code or painting, I like classical such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and many others. Even though I'm in my sixties, I like going out and rollerblading in the mornings for exercise and that is made for rock and roll. In my workshop when I'm woodworking, welding, or fixing the family vehicle, anything from big band to classical to rock is fair game at the time. Have no use for rap at all. It's irritating and counterproductive.

I remember reading that she liked what she called "Tiddlywink music," and that she and her husband and friends would march around the room to it, while she conducted with a baton. Here is some information, and a collection of recordings of songs she reportedly liked: http://dismuke.org/aynrand/selections.ht...

When Rand talked about Halley's missing 5th Concerto, I have always imagined it to be Keith Emerson's Piano Concerto No. 1 (from ELP's Works Vol 1.). There is a simple, up lifting melody that winds its way through the piece that is mostly carried by individual instruments which to me reinforced the importance of an individual's achievement against the backdrop of a supporting orchestra. This melody is then dropped into chaotic and dischordant movements, against which it fights and struggles until finally emerging as the dominant and heroic theme.
The music was released toward the very end of Rand's life and I've seen no indication that she was aware of it or commented on it. But that is the beauty of the written word. Lacking explicit references, one can interpret things as one sees fit. And so, for me, this is my 5th Concerto.
It's not too hard to find streaming sources for this. Be sure to listen to all 3 movements.

In Atlas-Shrugged there are chapters like Anti-Life and Anti-something else. Rap/Hip-Hop and pretty much anything since about 1990 that has gained widespread acceptance by teenagers seem like anti-music to me.

Ms. Rand's taste in music was rather narrow. Music can express all the emotions, and except for songs and aria can be enjoyed for their sound alone. I can compare music to food -- it's a matter of taste. Some will prefer French cooking with its sauces and multiple flavorings, others are happy with a chili dog. Some like exotic foods, some, the simpler the better, and some, like me, like almost all and is willing to try it before rejecting it. That means I can pick and choose from any musical genre. There is one exception, for me, which is Rap/Hip-Hop. So far, everything I've heard is not, strictly speaking, music at all.

The lyrics were probably my earliest exposure to libertarian ideas.

PERFECT SYSTEM
We're all comrades now you know
We're all brothers under the skin
With a few adjustments now
Living in the perfect system
The adjustment's simple there is really no pain
You'll hardly notice anything has changed
Living in a programmed life never really has ups and downs
There's no need for fighting now
There's no reason to wear a frown
[..]
I can tell by the look in your blank dull eyes
That you agree, but I'm not a bit surprised.

CAPITALISM
There's nothing wrong with Capitalism
There's nothing wrong with free enterprise
Don't try to make me feel guilty
I'm so tired of hearing you cry

PRIVATE LIFE
These are my private things
There they are against the wall
The dirty pictures, religious objects
These are my private things
There's something dangerous I like
This is my private life
I know my problems aren't your fault
What I really want to know
Has it always been this way?

NASTY HABITS
Nasty habits I must condone
No one knows what I do when I'm all alone

How about, "It's my party and I'll do as I want to"? At least that should be one of our presidents favorites.

Mike, Vladimir Horowitz' renditions of Rachmaninoff were better than those by Sergei himself, as the composer admitted. here's what I consider the best example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sentB_7U7...

Anything by RUSH

I'd be surprised if "Rhapsody In Blue " was not one of her favorites. It is very uplifting, capturing the throbbing vitality of a country she admired.

music as an art "portrayal of things as they should be and could be".

years ago, I heard that Rand liked Saint-Saens piano concerto 2 (g minor), so I bought a copy. it's a wonderful imaginative sparkling triumphant thing with all kinds of melodies buried in it -- check it out (the 3rd -- presto -- is all Richard Halley):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sentB_7U7...

Music, to be enjoyable to any of us, must be aesthetically pleasing. To some extent this is a matter of preference. But Rand's musical preferences often had a political irony to them as well, such as in We the Living, which I am very glad you reminded me of.

we make our own party in here

Wow! There's one from the archive of forgotten favorites - Weird Science by Oingo Boingo, "She blinded me with science". Neglecting the lyrics entirely, that song does have some of the characteristics of music that AR talked about in We the Living.

Maybe Oingo Boingo: http://youtu.be/yqwUSaZZy08

I've always considered myself an historian, but today I am getting the education. Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Credentialed-Destr...

What don't you believe? I was born too late or the party was way over? =)

I do remember hearing that in Dr. Zhivago. I haven't seen that in many years. Tschaikowsky and Rachmaninoff, I do remember this now.

Thanks, Khalling. I had forgotten.

Khalling answered that question. I had forgotten. Sorry.

"The Internationale" - wasn't that mentioned in "We the Living"? It has been a long time since I read that one.

I do not believe that....
hey, you never gave me a link to your wife's book-I want to download/buy....we have the world to win
I also need some firearm help for my novel...PM coming...

Nice. I was born 70 years too late. The party was way over by the time I arrived on this rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwbe4hRdw...