In music, what is the "lost chord"?

Baloo55th

"Seated one day at the organ, I was weary and ill at ease, And my fingers wandered idly Over the noisy keys; I know not what I was playing, Or what I was dreaming then, But I struck one chord of music, Like the sound of a great Amen, Like the sound of a great Amen. It flooded the crimson twilight, Like the close of an angel’s psalm, And it lay on my fevered spirit, With a touch of infinite calm, It quieted pain and sorrow, Like love overcoming strife, It seemed the harmonious echo From our discordant life, It linked all the perplexed meanings Into one perfect peace, And trembled away into silence, As if it were loth to cease; I have sought but I seek it vainly, That one lost chord divine, Which came from the soul of the organ, And entered into mine. It may be that death’s bright angel Will speak in that chord again; It may be that only in Heav’n I shall hear that great Amen. It may be that death’s bright angel Will speak in that chord again; It may be that only in Heav’n I shall hear that great Amen." Words by Adelaide Proctor, music by Arthur Sullivan There isn't a real thing called a lost chord. It's just that this poem, once set by Sullivan, has entered into the language as a phrase for something achieved once and evermore unattainable. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/o/lostchor.htm Feb 04 07, 5:00 PM

skysmom65

The Lost Chord is a poem by Adelaide Anne Procter that was set to music by Arthur Sullivan in 1877. Sullivan composed "The Lost Chord" at the bedside of his brother Fred during Fred's last illness. The manuscript is dated January 13 1877, and Fred Sullivan died five days later. http://www.answers.com/lost%20chord Feb 04 07, 6:55 PM

zbeckabee

Jimmy Durante recorded a song called "The Guy Who Found the Lost Chord," "An organist, while practicing one day, hit a particular chord which elevated his consciousness and he experienced what might be called nirvana or a glimpse of heaven -- perhaps a trance of sorts. However, as with all forms of stimulants, it was short lived and he moved one hand and could not find that special chord again. He spent the rest of his life searching for it." http://www.toadmail.com/%7Enotten/FAQ-4-04.htm Feb 04 07, 7:49 PM