We can all learn a valuable lesson from Anthony Hopkins’s new album

The history of music is littered with the detritus of Hollywood’s vanity. Many an A-list actor has convinced themselves they’ve got the goods to make it as a musician, be that Eddie Murphy, Bruce Willis, or Robert Downey Jr. The results are seldom good. To this end, you might have reason to hoist an eyebrow when you spot Sir Anthony Hopkins is releasing an album this week. Life is a Dream is the second record from the Oscar-winning star of The Silence of the Lambs and The Father. (His previous album, Composer, was released on CD in 2012, through Classic FM.) Those who might be bewildered by the mental image of the 88-year-old Welshman strutting a stage like Mick Jagger singing “Sympathy for the Devil” need not worry: these are classical compositions, composed by Hopkins over the course of his life and performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra with Grammy Award-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel. There is something wonderfully, life-affirmingly sweet about this music, which shifts between classical forms, from bright, brass-led fanfares to elegant waltzes. Hopkins has a pleasing grasp of harmony and an ear for melody; in the spectrum of classical music, it’s on the more traditional side, absent of the dissonance and tonal complexity of the 20th century. Life is a Dream is a personal project for Hopkins, with some tracks inspired by his native Wales, including “1947: Suite for Solo Piano and Orchestra: II. Bracken Road,” written in 1963. Hopkins began learning the piano at age four and has written music since childhood, calling it his first desire and wish. Several of his compositions have been performed in concert halls worldwide, with André Rieu recording a waltz by Hopkins on his 2011 album And the Waltz Goes On. Hopkins’ music confirms his lifelong sophistication and sincerity, extending beyond his acting career. At 88, his ability to compose moving music is a testament to his craft and judgment. The album is praised for its authenticity and meaningfulness, making it a credit to his talent. The lesson here is that life doesn’t stop with age; there’s always more to do, including creating new music.