He throws in "Ave Maria" for high art.

Question

At home he relishes lying on the couch in his library in a sort of trance, with the stereo blasting a melange of schmaltzy tunes that includes Sinatra's "My Way," "The Impossible Dream," "New York, New York," "What a Wonderful World," and Ray Charles's "America the Beautiful." He throws in "Ave Maria" for high art. (The family is so concerned about the blaring Americana that at the Park Avenue apartment they're renovating in Manhattan the interior walls are being lined with lead soundproofing.)

Question:

1. What does He throws in "Ave Maria" for high art. mean?

2.What's the logic between the blaring Americana and lead soundproofing?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

"throws in" - adds this musical selection (somewhat carelessly or unthinkingly) to the others already mentioned.
"for high art" - for the sake of including music of a different nature (more artistic, less popular) than the selections already mentioned. "Ave Maria" is a religious aria; the others are not.
"high art" - something sophisticated and refined, as opposed to something more popular.
The joke is that he thinks of "Ave Maria" as high art, when in fact it is a rather mediocre example of musical compositions which might more accurately and truly be considered high art.

"Americana" - elements typical of American culture. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baseball, and cowboys are examples of Americana. In this case it refers to songs that are typically American.
"blaring" - annoyingly noisy; uncomfortably loud
"soundproof" - able to stop sounds from passing through
"soundproofing" - material used to make a thing soundproof
"lead" - a chemical element; a heavy metal (suitable for use as soundproofing)

I hope that helps.

CJ

He throws in "Ave Maria" for high art.

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