Youth Orchestra at Damascus Gate, Jerusalem
Folk group at Talitha Kumi, West Bank, Palestine
Check out “Operation Mozart” on Sandy Tolan’s Blog
This is illuminating. I urge you to read it. You can also hear the “Farandole” here…
http://ramallahcafe.com/?p=414
And the final moments before we disappeared back into the bus…
Speaking of Water….
I am much more conscious of saying thank you, and not taking it for granted.
As with a lot of things this trip has taught me.
Be grateful.
Be constantly grateful.
The Water Bearer Caught My Eye…
The child was desperately trying to sell his water - he somehow got on board the bus, and proceeded to follow us into the “concert space”, following the bus out again…
I have played at many, many a concert, but I have to say that this was the most powerful, and probably the most meaningful one, of my life.
I have never heard or felt such a dynamic quality of energy conjured up by music - the intensely urgent electricity of the children’s playing was palpable. Bewildered travelers looked on, and then cheered after each movement. There is a secret power in those mysterious invisible vibrations, and for a brief span of time, the place was utterly transformed by joy. A momentary re-claiming of space, and of voice. But that moment would last a long time in all hearts present.
I felt very privileged to witness such a transformation.
According to the children, whilst the soldiers on the other side of the bars, were not quite sure what to do, some of them danced…
Sandy Tolan has written a fabulous piece about this day on his Ramallah Cafe blog, you can check this out (also a recording of their performance of the Mozart Sixth Symphony) here:
http://ramallahcafe.com/?p=460
The Next Day Was Completely Different…
The bus was packed with instruments and musicians.
We were heading for Qalandia again - not to pass through the checkpoint, but to play a short impromptu concert at this hinterland of hope.
The “toys” shop indicated we were near. It was to be a swift operation. We tuned up the instruments on the bus, and Ramzi talked to the children. We made our way to the covered area (where previously we had so gently waited behind the bars for permission to move), and set up our stands and music. The Youth Orchestra was to play the same programme as for the Damascus Gate concert - Mozart and Bizet, conducted by Jason Crompton.
The Oriental Ensemble rehearsing on Al Kamandjati roof
A spot of tea in Jerusalem
