As a species, even before we were beating rhythms on rocks and gourds and drums, we were singing. No other instrument can create the connection from one human soul to another that is made through the sound of a clear focused voice conveying the emotion of a text.

Instruments, especially strings and reeds, are often cited for their ability to evoke the human voice, and I think that’s why Beethoven finally had to include voices in the last movement of his 9th Symphony. He realized that, at the end… and in the end… even the greatest orchestra was not enough. 

Listen