Amidst the "sturm und drang" of the stressful political and economic era in which
we live, it is wise, from time to time, to stop and smell the flowers. It can restore some perspective and optimism in our lives.
In mid August I watched a recorded performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Royal
Ballet, music by Prokofiev. The music, dancing, costumes and production were superb.
To see the dancers defy gravity with such grace and power was sheer joy. They conveyed such deep emotion without a single spoken word that I watched through tears
of pure pleasure. After three viewings I am as much enthralled as the first.
On Sunday, August 9th I watched a live telecast of the Mostly Mozart concert from
Lincoln Center. The featured soloist was the virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, one of the most sublime compositions ever for the violin. His interpretation was powerful, lyrical and enchanting. Joshua, the orchestra and conductor merged into a single complex instrument. As the music washed over me, and poured into me I felt as if out of body.
Those two events renewed my belief that the human mind is capable of producing creations of superb beauty, and of solving any problem if allowed. But sadly, it is mankind's baser nature that holds the stage. Sadder still, there are many places on this earth where beauty never gets the spotlight because of the abysmal darkness which prevails there.
Why can't we devote more effort to planting flowers than we do to destroying them?
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