Music and differences
Posted on | November 25, 2009 | Comments Off
Bach is a good example. A Lutheran, yet he wrote one of the most beautiful masses ever: the B minor. Leonard Bernstein wrote a mass. Few things can divide as religion can. Few things can unite as music can.
My friend David called one afternoon and said, “Jimbo, what are you doing tonight?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is at Davies (Symphony Hall) and I have a spare ticket.”
Long pause. The desire to hear grand music in a good setting overcame my dislike of LDS ideology. We went.
Obviously a gay couple, we did not fit in. At all. People were polite. But we were out of place. Until the music started. Emigrants often write epic myths to tell the story of their travels. Well, the Mormon trek to Utah was epic. Not without wrongs. But epic. And the community has mythologized the events. As all communities do. The single thing that stirs Mormons most when they hear it is Come, Come, Ye Saints. It was stirring in Davies Hall. It was a joyful experience to see this community transported by music with a mythic power.
When we left, our nearby neighbors, having seen our joy in their music, looked at us differently. With affection, I think.
Music is a gift from God. I am grateful for music.
Walk well. God is love.
