They made me cry tonight.
This evening I watched a concert. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra led by the brilliant young conductor Gustavo Dudamel, with guest pianist the great Herbie Hancock. The orchestra performed an all George Gershwin program of his An American in Paris, and Rhapsody in Blue. It took place at The Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The earliest music I can remember is Gershwin – either it was always on the radio, or my parents must have always had it on what we called all record players at the time – the Victrola. As the strains of An American in Paris, played by this most marvelous orchestra, washed over me, I was immediately connected on a very visceral level to my childhood…to perhaps when I was in my crib. These melodies have always done this to me…they reside deep in my subconscious…they can bring tears to my eyes.
I sat there listening, watching, tears rolling down my cheeks, and marveling that such beauty could actually come from such creatures as us. It was as if what was in front of me at that moment was all the possibility of human beings realized – the huge orchestra all together as one, in perfect harmony, making this joyful sound. I was completely overcome by it.
I believe part of the reason for my tears was in experiencing – through this powerful musical ensemble playing this trans-formative music – the demonstrable gulf that lies between what humankind can achieve, and what, in reality, we are actually doing. The overpowering majesty of this man-made moment, this example of what is possible, this zenith of human potential, of humans unselfishly working together for a noble purpose, in this case to make this glorious music, is us at our very best.
That we cannot understand how great we are when we play together – that we cannot grasp the idea that, like a great symphony orchestra, when we work unselfishly as one for the common good of all, we are better for it, may be to our everlasting detriment. I hope not.
A happy, healthy new year to us all.
They made me cry tonight.
© tony powers and Barking in the Dark, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to tony powers and Barking in the Dark with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Happy New Year, sir.
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long time Lisa with an h…happy noo yeer 2 u 2 and good health. and, of course as always, thanx for the read. continue…
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Certain music does that to me, too. Makes me cry for happy, or sometimes for sad. Or sometimes just because. A live orchestra is about as good as music gets.
Happy New Year!
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without a doubt. thanx PT and happy 2016. continue…
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Music has carried me through tough times and enhanced the wonderful times. You’ve made some pretty great music yourself! Happy New Year ❤🐇
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thanx Lenore…i wish you a healthy, happy new year. continue…
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Lenore…CD Baby has just informed me that you purchased Who Could Imagine…i thank you and hope you enjoy the CD. happy new year…again, my sincere thanks. tony
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Happy New Year, Tony! May 2016 bring peace and all the good things that will make it a better year.
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thganx Don…and i wish you – and all of us – the same, continue…
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