First Post the Past
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Yesterday - the 4th - was my elder daughter Isla's 12th birthday. Leaving her two younger siblings in the capable(?) hands of my mother-in-law, my wife and I took her to the Barbican in London for a concert by the West-East Divan Orchestra. The concert was a tribute to Edward Said, a Palestinian of great humanity and intellect. The orchestra itself is a living tribute to the hope of peace in the Middle East, being the creation of Said and his close friend Daniel Barenboim, and comprising young Palestinians and Israelis in equal measure.
My daughter at 12 is not really a classical music fan but I hoped the concert and its purpose - however nebulous that might appear to her at the moment - would form a memory she could carry forward. Perhaps in the years ahead her very presence at such an occasion may exert an influence when compassion and reason is required when hatred and and irrationality would seem the easier course. Humanity by osmosis?
Barenboim played Beethoven's 3rd Piano Concerto and, in the second half, conducted his young and enthusiastic orchestra in Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. Much applause and a standing ovation, as much for the symbolism, obviously, as for the performance.
And Isla's verdict? She enjoyed spending time with us. With a younger brother and sister who take monopolise attention much of the time she was thrilled more by being the only child for a night than by the music. Fair enough, I say.
My daughter at 12 is not really a classical music fan but I hoped the concert and its purpose - however nebulous that might appear to her at the moment - would form a memory she could carry forward. Perhaps in the years ahead her very presence at such an occasion may exert an influence when compassion and reason is required when hatred and and irrationality would seem the easier course. Humanity by osmosis?
Barenboim played Beethoven's 3rd Piano Concerto and, in the second half, conducted his young and enthusiastic orchestra in Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. Much applause and a standing ovation, as much for the symbolism, obviously, as for the performance.
And Isla's verdict? She enjoyed spending time with us. With a younger brother and sister who take monopolise attention much of the time she was thrilled more by being the only child for a night than by the music. Fair enough, I say.
