The Gift of Music

Last night my husband and I went to the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth to see Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Little did we know what the night would hold. That evening was a gala concert held in the honor of Van Cliburn, the pianist, who happens to be a long-time resident of "Cowtown." Cliburn was presented with a key to the city as well as a citation from the governor of Texas. April 4 was declared Van Cliburn Day. Mr. Cliburn struggled to speak, overcome with emotion. He thanked Almighty God for classical music, saying he could not live without it. He shared with the audience that when he hears a good piece of music, it is as if he were feeling the breath of God. He also explained that each of us is an instrument in "the great orchestra of life," bringing our unique talents to the world. He also talked about how music is invisible, but it is real. I couldn't help but think he may have been making a reference to God as well.

Videotaped presentations of well wishes were delivered by First Lady Laura Bush, one of the gala's honorary chairpersons, Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, and Placido Domingo, one of the world's greatest tenors. When I was in college, Mr. Cliburn came into the bookstore at which I worked. He was very gracious as I asked for his autograph. He seems to be a very humble man, and the honor that was given him last night was certainly deserved.

After this portion of the evening, the music began. Of course, we sang the National Anthem first. I wish we did this more often as citizens. We should also say the Pledge of Allegiance. God has certainly blessed this country, as we forget that far too often.

Then, Itzhak Perlman entered, walking with the crutches that I remember him using when I watched him on Sesame Street as a little girl. I can't describe what it was like to watch Mr. Perlman play. He played the violion solo of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 61 from memory. The other orchestra members had music in front of them. Not Mr. Perlman. There were times when Mr. Perlman was not playing and the orchestra was that he slowly rocked side to side, a tender smile on his face. One could tell he must feel embraced by that piece of music. I wondered how many times he had played that piece in his life. It was an amazing experience.

For the last portion of the concert, the orchestra was accompanied by a chorus, a soprano, and a mezzo-soprano in performing selections by Verdi. Two of the four pieces had religious themes. I couldn't help but think of King David as the chorus, representing the Hebrew slaves of biblical times, sang about the River Jordan and Zion.

David must have thanked God for music. I think he also understood, as Mr. Cliburn does, that each one of us has been specially crafted by our Maker to provide the world with gifts that only we can give. Those gifts come from our core, our center, our spirit. And when that spirit is in tune with God and His desires, what music emits from us! What a beautiful world God has made. And are we not blessed to be instruments in making it even more beautiful?