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
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