Today I had the luxury to attend the last of the Hilary Rosin Coffee Concert series at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The series will resume again in February 2016 and I can’t recommend them enough. They have been a wonderful way to spend time with friends on Sundays so far and I will miss them in the coming weeks.
In the concert’s programme we had the opportunity to listen to a small female choir, selected from the RCS Voices, sing Brahms ‘Vier Gesänge’. It was a beautiful piece with angelic quality accompanied by two horns and harp. Definitely worth a listen to on YouTube.
At the beginning of the concert a very touching introduction was given in which we were asked to think about how music can join us together in little communities, people who share similar interests. However these communities also provide support to each other and the opportunity to remember those that have been affected by tragedy around the world.
Nothing brings this home more than the tragic events which took place in Paris last Friday (13th November 2015), to think that this time last year I was celebrating my birthday in this wonderful city and my heart goes out to everyone touched by this dreadful tragedy.
Within in each of us there is a voice, a voice that we can use to spread the idea of peace around the world. Whether you choose to use music, the spoken word or put your thoughts down on paper the power is within us all to make a difference. If we work hard enough then maybe one day we can be part of one great big community and put these tragedies behind us forever.
Update 18th Nov 2015
I read this brilliant article by Sinfini Music on the Music of defiance. “For musicians and music-lovers, the fact that the primary target was a place of music-making has hit home hard”. http://www.sinfinimusic.com/uk/features/blogs/ecoutez-paris/parisians-respond-to-terrorist-attacks-of-13-nov-2015-with-music-and-la-marseillaise
If only. I hope within your lifetime, because it won’t come in mine.
We mustn’t lose hope, we can’t give up on freedom.
Best wishes
Charlotte
We in the USA mourn the loss of lives in Paris! It has affected the World to a profound degree. Cheryl
It’s frightening to think of what is going to happen next.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes Charlotte it is frightening for many! Cheryl x
I still hope.
Let’s keep ‘hope’ burning brighter than hate.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you so much for this share Charlotte. Hope you will be Hear and that your wishes will come true, the very best for you !
Merci beaucoup Pascal, please take care prends soin de toi s’il te plait, triste pour Paris et la France.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Tu es très gentille, merci à toi. Prends aussi soin de toi s’il te plait.
Hearts united in peace and love, no matter our heritage, station or faith. <3
<3 agreed.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank-you Charlotte, for this compassionate and heartfelt post. I hope that your wish may come true but it will take such a lot of commitment from so many people. I am trying to do my part in this peace process and I can see you are too.
In the Sinfini article I put in the update on my post the Manager of the Paris Opera told Le Figaro newspaper: “ Culture must remain upright. It presents a picture of the values of the West. We can’t give up on these values; on the contrary we should continue to affirm them. It’s our role’. Many people are better placed than me to act but every little share I hope helps.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It will, I know. xx
You have a lovely idea, Charlotte. We need to band together in peace and faith. And we need the outlets to make a difference.
Jonathan Cross in the Sinfini article I shared in my update said “I can’t think of a more appropriate reply to false accusations ofperversity and idolatry than to sing, play and dance as beautifully and joyously as we are able”.
Best wishes
Charlotte
If we work hard enough … I like that thought Charlotte. Well spoken about a great big community!
Will-i-am sang “hate generates hate” it’s so true; the bigger community needs to share the love.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The more voices for peace the better.
Absolutely.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely, compassionate post, Charlotte. Music is a wonderful way to unite people.
I believe the large concert halls are changing programs, I hope it’s true that music can unite people because I’m worried for my brothers and my friends if things keep escalating.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very nice post. Peace, Deb
Peace.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely words, Charlotte. May God watch over us all. Prayers going out to Paris!
Prayers for the whole world, we need a little happiness and tenderness.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank the Lord for you Charlotte, that you continue to work for peace for all people. Our prayers for those in Paris, as well as those in the Middle East. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Amen, Reverend George! Wonderful post Charlotte, I love your heart.
Hopefully the peacemakers get a hearing.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is one of the most inspiring things I have experienced that musicians everywhere in the world have wanted to respond, or comment, on the tragedies that we are seeing these days. I had the same experience in a concert Saturday night in Boulder, Colorado. If you like, read my report of that occasion, which caused me to pause and reflect at some length. http://sharpsandflatirons.com/2015/11/14/making-music-at-a-time-of-tragedy/
Thank you for sharing your post Peter I hope more people click through but this sentiment “Sometimes, just getting on with life is the best thing that we can do—literally the best of many choices” and “the familiar words of Leonard Bernstein were projected above the orchestra: “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” And this “in the coming weeks, we should all take the time to reflect on how precious and fragile is the world we imagine that we live in. If we fail to do so, we may pay a terrible price.” Is so true.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great tribute Charlotte!Sympathy & Prayers for Paris !
I pray for a worldwide solution Doda as this has caused a ripple of anxiety everywhere not only Paris.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I especially love your closing remarks, well said.
Thank you Eric, when President Hollande says “France is at war” it is very worrying indeed.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Excellent post Charlotte. I endorse every word of your closing statement.
Thanks Thomas. I don’t normally comment on world events but I think the attacks on normal people enjoying their Friday evening at a music venue and general places to hang out with friends is so horrific.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a moving post, Charlotte. Thank you so much.
Thank you Marcus I hope you’re well 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Profound and Moving. <3
Thank you Colleen <3
All my best wishes
Charlotte
A lovely post, Charlotte. Do you know “Playing for Change” which brings artists around the world to sing songs collectively? Quite inspiring and echoing your words about music bringing people together.
I don’t know ‘Playing for Change’ but I’ll look them up thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
It’s so hard to speak of it but it is really easy to feel it. Things like this are sad and it bands people together with well wishes and prayers for the families that lost anyone.
It is hard to speak of, I can hardly watch the news.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I know what you mean. I was in the city today and they had special forces posted around Penn Station and they wouldn’t say but there was a threat put out there at Penn
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Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks😊😊😊
There is nothing like beautiful music to soothe and ignite the soul, and you say it so well with “Within in each of us there is a voice, a voice that we can use to spread the idea of peace around the world.” You are using your angelic voice so well in doing this. Wish you a great day.
Lovely heartfelt post. Indeed each of us can play a part to share that hope and love! <3
The only answer is to keep singing and to keep returning to places like Paris which inspire us to sing.
Beautiful and deep felt post, dear Charlotte. I truly hope things like the Awful events in France stop happening
Thanks for making a difference as you do!.
Love and best wishes. Aquileana ♥️♠️