Today, I get a “breather” of sorts since we don’t have a concert for a couple of weeks and the remodeling has nearly come to an end. My wonderful neighbor suggested that now I could get back to writing my blogs “on time. ” LOL It’s nice to be missed.
This past week, we had a very good friend from Paris, France visit us. We did a wide variety of things but one event we particularly enjoyed was a local “Snazzy Jazz” concert hosted by Elise Pratt. Elise and Harry Schultz were accompanied by Bill Gerhardt on keyboard, Mike Holstein on bass and Justin Watt on drums. The event reminded me of how music transcends the limitations of vocabulary.
My French friend and I speak each others’ languages quite well but if you put me in a room with a German, for example, music can unite us in a way that words cannot. The well-known 19th century American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote that “Music is the universal language of mankind.” We all hear the same musical tones and feel the same toe-tapping beats. Music allows us to experience feelings that can’t be expressed with words. Music allows people everywhere to join in unity when they might otherwise differ in opinions.
The two Masterwork Series concerts that we “did” in August were superb. As thirteen year old prodigy, Christopher Tavernier and his teacher Dr. John Cobb, who is many years his senior, played the Liszt pieces, the listeners were drawn together, caught up in the magnificent music. Franz Liszt was a Hungarian who lived during the 1800’s – a man from a different time, culture and language – and yet, there we were, a wide variety of Americans of all generations, united with him through music. What an experience!
If you missed these magnificent concerts, I have great news. We are giving two more performances this month – September 21 and 28. Please check out our event calendar on the website for details. The first one will be at the Hendersonville Library and the second will be a fund raiser for “Ladies Night Out – a WNC program for the early detection of breast cancer. The concert will held at the Diana Wortham Theater in Asheville. It’s going to be spectacular.
Today’s “breather” doesn’t last long. Next week, I will write about where I am flying to this week to experience more in the wonderful world of pianos.
“Life is Grand”
Joann