A Day of Mourning
Today is a national day of mourning in the Netherlands. An opportunity to mourn not only the 193 Dutch citizens on Flight MH17, but the tragic deaths of all on board. And an opportunity to mourn the senseless massacre of hundreds of other children and civilians, in Gaza, Syria and elsewhere, to mourn the un-prohibited manufacture of murderous weapons in so-called civilized countries (for sale to thugs world-wide), to express our sorrow at hatred, racism and unimaginable cruelty, to weep for mankind.
Music helps, they say. Well, it helps to access the feeling, to give form to grief, instead of pushing it away. It quietens the anger. It helps to believe in humanity, despite everything. Colour affects our emotions too. Today the only appropriate fragment I have to offer of music combined with kinetic colour is my Meditation on the first few minutes of Górecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. Take your time. Turn the sound up (the first few minutes are inaudible) and click on the full screen option. You may see strange apparitions as you stare at the colours. Let it flow.
Thank you for offering this profoundly moving audiovisual meditation and catharsis.
ReplyDeleteThank you Erik. There were many reactions by email in appreciation of the comfort such performances do give. Now it's the turn of orchestras worldwide to adjust their programmes appropriately to this need.
ReplyDelete