Actually Julie, the MN Orchestra's first performance of each season, at least on opening night Wednesday, leads with a rendition of the National Anthem. This year was no exception, but it was particularly emotional, I observed. Perhaps, for the time being, every performance is led with the anthem.
Andy Driscoll Saint Paul ------ "The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, remain neutral" --Dante > From: "Julie Mattson Ostrow" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 08:32:12 -0500 > To: "Mpls list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Mpls] Mpls Patriotism > > I had an interesting experience on how the 9/11/01 attacks and have > affected the cultural life in Minneapolis. I went to Orchestra Hall > last night to a MN Orchestra performance. The first noticeable change > was the large American flag hanging behind the stage over the cubic > sound blocks (or what ever they are). > > I was anticipating a wonderful night of Beethoven. An escape from > recent events. As I waited for the orchestra to begin I noticed plain > clothes security officers looking over the crowd. Although the crowd > was quite tame, I understand and appreciate the precaution. Orchestra > Hall ushers are a common sight, security officers checking out the > seated crowd is not. Or not that I was ever aware of. > > The concert was to begin. Conductor Eiji Oue took the podium. The > orchestra, who always stands for his entrance, remained standing. My > first thought, "This is different". Oue started to conduct the standing > orchestra (except for the cellos of course). I was totally taken aback > by what they were doing. They played the National Anthem! In my 20+++ > years of attending orchestral performances I've never experienced this. > At sports events, the singing of the National Anthem is so routine that > some people don't pay attention or participate. > > For some reason I was also surprised that the orchestra played this from > memory. I wouldn't think this was a part of their repertoire but I know > they are all very talented musicians so I'm not surprised. The musical > rendition was beautiful. The audience was signing as were many of the > strings players. Conductor Oue gave a moving performance in his > conducting alone. Mr. Oue is a native of Hiroshima, Japan so the > symbolism in that itself is very powerful. > > It was a very emotional experience. I was so completely taken off guard > that I could barely sing myself as my eyes filled up with tears. It was > a beautiful demonstration of the pride we have for our country. > > I wonder how long it will last? > > Julie Mattson Ostrow > WIndom Park NE > > Oh, by the way, Beethoven's 6th Pastoral Symphony was wonderful. > Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring was powerful once you got past the dissonance. > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
