Wednesday's Musical Moments!
“When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest of times, and to the latest.” – Henry David Thoreau
During this frightening and troubling time in which we find ourselves, I am reminded how music possesses the power to express whatever emotion we might be feeling or thinking.
The harrowing event of the Pulse shooting in 2016 rocked our foundation in Central Florida and around the world. It was yet another reminder that made us realize how mortal and vulnerable we truly are. From that grief came a new composition written for the memorial concert to commemorate the victims and to help the community mourn and begin to heal. This poignant work was written by two New York City residents, both Pulitzer Prize winners, composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell.
The text is simple and direct:
“Light shall lift us everyone, as sure as there’s a sun, light shall lift us.
Those of us with ailing hearts, those of us with broken souls, those of us without sight, shall all, shall all, shall all take flight.
Light shall lift us everyone, as sure as there’s a sun, light shall lift us, we shall soar,
In darkness evermore, light shall lift us, light shall lift us, light shall lift us. Light shall lift us. Every one!”
A friend, Paul Moravec, with whom the Bach Festival Society has a close relationship, asked us to record this work….a statement of sadness that rises to hope and clearly reflects the message of the Pulse memorial, “We will not let hate win.” The dedication on my score reads, “Dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub massacre June 6, 2016.”
John V. Sinclair, Artistic Director and Conductor
“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.”
–Robert Schumann
“Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.”
–Percy Bysshe Shelley
Now, I simply couldn’t leave our musical family with “Light Shall Lift Us” without also offering a work for an uplifting reflection. Please consider listening to the next piece and then, if you would like, return to read the commentary.
Antonio Vivaldi spent over thirty years of his life working at Pio Ospedale dell Pieta, an orphanage for abandoned children in Venice where he established one of the finest orchestras in Europe. This orchestra was comprised of all young women he taught at the orphanage.
This prolific composer wrote over 500 concerti for his students and friends. The excerpt you are hearing today was originally written for lute but is most often played in current time by guitar. This graceful work offered today is from the middle movement of Concerto for Lute, RV 93.
I am always amazed at the unpretentious, minimal nature of this work that stands as a stark contrast to the gregarious life Vivaldi lived. He is one of the true “characters” of classical music. Sometime in the future I’ll lecture on the life of Vivaldi, and if you attend, expect to leave surprised.
From this year’s Spiritual Spaces program, please enjoy Daniel Flick on guitar accompanied by the Bach Festival Orchestra in this live, unedited performance. Dan is a Rollins College Department of Music Artist in Residence, but in the Bach Orchestra you can most often spot him in the viola section.
John V. Sinclair, Artistic Director and Conductor
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.”
–Pablo Casals
*Please note, this is a very soft piece that was recorded live. You will need to turn your volume up to hear it.
Maximize YOUR Impact—Donate to the Bach Festival Society through the United Arts Collaborative Campaign and your gift will be matched by 15%.