July 16, 2008 - A dedication prior to performing the pre-concert recital at the Seattle Chamber Music Festival.
"Ladies and Gentleman, good evening.
Over the past few days, since I arrived in Seattle, people have been asking me why I changed my program for this pre-concert recital from Beethoven's Waldstein sonata to Bach' s Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Sheep May Safely Graze, along with the Janacek sonata Oct. 1, 1905 - From the Street.
While there were a few reasons (mainly logistical) that led me to change the program over a month ago, it was the news that broke-out this morning from my home country of Israel, that seemed to have dictated the real reason.
Earlier today a controversial prisoner exchange occurred, in which the people of Israel were holding their breath, expecting to receive two of its kidnapped soldiers, hoping that they were still alive. Instead, two caskets were thrown onto the ground by their despicable captors. The country is torn as well as united in the grief of the families.
This evening, playing the Beethoven sonata could not have taken place. It is Bach's eternal prayer for some kind of peace and forgiveness, unification and love, that needs to be. But, it is also Janacek's sad reminder of the tragic spiral of current events that dominate our world these days, and which we seem not to find a way to reconcile. Tonight I could not have played anything but the Bach and the Janacek.
Ladies and Gentleman, with your permission, I would like to dedicate this concert to the memory of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser."
Alon Goldstein
1 comment:
I just listened to your performance of "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" on YouTube. It didn't say where the performance took place but the date posted was 2008. Someone mentioned in the comments that you'd written about it ... which led me to this site. Thank you, thank you, for not only expressing the music perfectly but for writing about your program change in Seattle, too. Bach's melody and theme have been running in the background of my mind for weeks so I finally decided to start looking for a version to learn on piano. Your interpretation expresses how I hear the music -- with reverent thought, beauty, and great skill that creates an "other-worldly" atmosphere. Your blog post confirmed what I've been feeling, now 10 years after your writing. The world is spewing so much hate and ugliness -- I want to share beauty in my small part of the world. Thank you for the inspiration. And, along with millions of Christians across the globe, I pray for the peace of Israel. Thanks again and may God bless you in sharing your life and talent wherever you go.
Post a Comment