The Music of Thanksgiving

WQXR, the classical music station in New York City is hosting, "The Gratitude Project." I'm fascinated by the comments, the little histories. Most of them have to do with the first time the writer heard a particular piece at what age. The variety of pieces is amazing, not much duplication. I can't remember the first time I heard anything. My favorites seem to be part of my childhood, as though I heard them all at once. I thought about what I would choose if I were to comment. I associate different works with different people rather than thinking about the music itself. Pictures at an Exhibition takes me back to Cali, when my brother was sketching a "book" of short poems and I thought he would become a famous artist. The New World Symphony reminds me of Jonesy, the violinist/soldier near the end of the Second World War. Appalachian Spring became very important when I lived in Boone and heard the North Carolina Symphony play it in a summer concert. Un Bel Di is clearly a June Till memory; I never tired of listening to her singing, so powerfully, so lightly, when we were in high school together and she was Most Talented. The Russian Easter Overture instantly takes me to when Daff was studying Russian at Appalachian State and we went to Winston Salem with my mother to see the Lovefeast at Home Moravian Church. The Organ Symphony brings to mind the family visit to EPCOT where in the country of France, the simulated hot air balloon was accompanied by its lush grand chords and sweeping melody. Chopin's Tristesse "belongs" to my dad and The Lark Ascending belongs to Will. Nobody better claim Der Ring des Nibelungen; it's Lucille's! There is a site for old mysteries posted on YouTube. It is a gift to us all from a fifteen year old in Spain who had a grandmother he called Nan. He has uploaded videos she had in her attic. She apparently taped British comedies and comedic mysteries for years. He writes that he doesn't watch them himself but this is his tribute to her. I know now that whenever I hear Capriccio Espagnol, I will think of Nan. Should Gustav Holst's The Planets air, I will think of starman2110 (whoever he or she is) who has brought the uploaded many episodes of Waking the Dead, A Touch of Frost, and Inspector Morse. I don't understand the copyright issues. There should be some and I hope these sharers will not see fines in their lives. Meanwhile, I appreciate their efforts. As for the topic of gratitude, foremost for me is The Moldau. Its rushing river, wedding festivities, optimism, and longing for home never ceases to astonish and gladden me. Tell me what you would choose, or tell WQXR.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...may the blessings of melody reminders uplift you...