The Cold War is over. But if the New York
Philharmonic’s concert in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, last Tuesday, is any indication, perhaps we should start fighting our wars with tubas instead of tanks. I guess you could say there’s biblical precedent for such an absurd military strategy, what with Jehoshaphat sending out the worship team ahead of the infantry (II Chron. 20:21). Not that the NY musicians are instruments of God or anything, but their historic performance may prove more efficacious than the nuclear missiles we have aimed at the renegade regime.
Wikipedia describes the North Korean state this way:
Multiple international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, accuse North Korea of having one of the worst human rights records of any nation. North Koreans have been referred to as “some of the world’s most brutalized people”, regarding their severe restrictions on political and economic freedoms. North Korean defectors have testified to the existence of prison and detention camps with an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 inmates, and have reported torture, starvation, rape, murder, medical experimentation, forced labour, and forced abortions.
Nothing Dvorák’s “New World” Symphony can’t cure. And the Philharmonic was happy to oblige. The set list included the overture to Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide”, as well as George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” and was followed by a standing ovation.
In a piece entitled North Koreans Welcome Symphonic Diplomacy, The NY Times reports:
The concert brought a “whole new dimension from what we expected,†Lorin Maazel, the Philharmonic’s music director, told reporters afterward. “We just went out and did our thing and we began to feel this warmth coming back.â€
He suggested the concert would have a wide impact. “I think it’s going to do a great deal,†he said. “I was told 200 million people were watching. That’s important for the people who want relations to improve.”
Of course, Dana Perino, the White House spokeswoman, downplayed the diplomatic possibilities of the historic event. “I think at the end of the day,” she said, “we consider this concert to be a concert.” But, since when has the White House had a bead on anything this sublime.
Either way, it’s a testament to the power and transcendence of music. Seems even the cruelest hearts can be won over by a melody. Besides, if Beethoven doesn’t work, the Bee Gees are guaranteed to make anyone spill their guts. I’m thinking it’s also the sympathies behind Over the Rhine’s If a Song Could Be President, (which, if you haven’t heard the tune, discontinue reading this post, follow the link and turn up the volume). While I LOVE the song, though, I can’t help but ponder the implications. There’s reasons why the music store is divided into sections. I mean, could Hip Hop fans tolerate four years of Garth Brooks? Didn’t think so. So if a song could be president, we might need a couple of them to represent all our musical tastes.
But I digress.
What I was reminded by the Philharmonic’s momentous performance, and the warm reception by “some of the world’s most brutalized people”, is that subtlety and beauty and art are still some of the most powerful forces on earth.
After the performance, Jon Deak, associate principal bass player of the Philharmonic, who also performed under Bernstein to celebrate the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, said members of his section had tears in their eyes. “I just can’t remember that that has happened before,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve ever been moved so deeply.”
Hmm. Maybe the pen — and the violin, cello and kettle drum — IS mightier than the sword. If so, instead of marching into enemy territory packing heat, perhaps what we need is a tune.
Interesting insight. But go too far and we’ll sending our criminals to concert halls instead of prison.
Hmm. Maybe if kids learned to appreciate Mozart more than Tupac and Ja Rule there’d be less criminals and prisons.
That’s it! Mozart is the key to world peace! 0=)
I’d offer more than a silly witticism, but it’d detract from the point. Hehe.
Except for the fact that some serial killers have been known to favor classical music.
This reminds me of the scene in Schindler’s List where juxtaposed against Nazi brutality are the “civilized Nazi’s enjoying classical music and culture”. Hitler was planning to build the largest museum in the world where all the acquired artifacts (read stolen) would be displayed as a testament to the civility of the Arian race.
This is pie in the sky. And while it certainly doesn’t hurt, this is probably more propaganda than true enlightenment.
In other words: How can I be evil if I like Bach?
Enjoying opera, classical music, plays, does not gaurantee a better class of citizenry. It may even attract the arrogant, elitist, snobs among us looking for a way to seperate themselves from the unwashed.
For the record: I love classical music. Especially classical guitar and violin, not to mention the Star Wars soundtrack.
These comments, though fun, miss my main point. I am not asserting that refined musical tastes necessarily produce “a better class of citizenry” or absolve one of criminality. I suggested that “. . .subtlety and beauty and art are still some of the most powerful forces on earth.” I cite the Philharmonic’s warm reception, not in order to “humanize” the inhuman, but to note the intrinsic power that art and beauty possess. While North Korea or Hitler’s “music appreciation” does not make them less monsters, it does prove that beauty can still hold sway in even the darkest of places.
You’re right, Mike. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to be flippant about the effects of art, particularly music. It has the ability to take people of all ages to places in their souls, deep places, even if there are lyrics they don’t understand or have never heard the kinds of music being played.
Well, I for one am insulted that you would suggest that someone of my intelligence could “miss your point”. After all, I listen to Mozart and appreciate its beauty.
Any mis-interpretation could only result from poor presentation of your argument. I suggest you start listening to classical music while you write your posts.
However – To speak to your “main point”, my comment still stands. Phony, oppurtunistic, photo-op. Or, if I had to add: give Spam to a starving Nazi and he’ll act like it’s a steak. But he’ll still wanna kill the Jew who gave it to him. That is, unless Spam is not Kosher – then use al-qaeda member, infidel.
So you’re saying there’s some truth to, “music hath charms to sooth the savage breast.” I think that’s true. I do believe there is power in beauty. I think a beautiful environment- whether it be what ones sees (mountains, green grass, ocean waves, great art), or what one hears (lovely music, poetry, a beutiful singing voice)- is just psychologically more healthy. We were created to be in a beautiful environment (Eden.) It was the fall and Satan that brought all the ugliness and chaos into the world. So ugly environments- littered, run-down neighborhoods, vandalized and grafittied… a Nicaraguan dump you call home…a life full of lewd, angry lyrics, smutty novels, and trashy wardrobe- is far inferior. Beauty reflects God. Is it the “answer?” No, but I think it’s a part of the answer. Or an arrow pointing toward the answer. Just my 25 cents (inflation).