The power of music continues to amaze me. It has this wonderful ability to unite people and make them forget the differences between them. I saw this first hand when I went to the 46664 Concert with Kev in Joburg, and on the way back in the bus people just started breaking out into song, and the bus was filled with this wonderful air of unity and hope for the future. All the problems facing our country seemed to just disappear our the stinky exhaust pipe… Or rather, all the problems in our country were solved for those few moments.
It was no surprise then that a similar event has just happened on a far larger scale. Read an article in the Economist today (http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_ID=10758160) about how the New York Philharmonic paid a visit to Pyongyang. One would never have thought that such animosity existed between America and North Korea, but on that particular night both flags were displayed prominently in the concert hall.
What was also poignant was the final song played called “Arirang,” a Korean song popular on both sides of the demilitarised zone. Clearly, it spoke of unity between the two Korea’s and would have without a doubt (even if just for a moment) sparked notions of concilliation between the two sides.
I think it’s amazing how a few notes and a few instruments can have the power to do that. And it’s obviously because music is a universal language, able to transcend borders and hate and instill an atmosphere of serenity and beauty to all who partake in it. And it’s because both music and song has the power to tune everyone to their emotions, be they happy or sad.
1 response so far ↓
Francois // April 28, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I was at that concert too. It was amazing! Don’t recall singing in the bus though.