Indeed, Master Shakespeare, I couldn't have put it better myself having just listened on my car radio to the 2nd movement of Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto which can, so to speak, melt every fibre of your body and raise your mind and imagination to rarely known heights of love and warmth and affection and all because of the careful and original arrangement of a series of mere sounds! How can such a thing set off such an emotional reaction?
Filled with joy, I returned home but, alas, on opening my Daily Mail there was a photo of a truly lovely, happy, young girl with all her future before her - Anne Frank.
At that point all the sublime happiness induced by Rachmaninov's genius evaporated in a second, to be replaced instantly by grim misery and a rabid hatred for the stupid, maniacal murderers responsible for her premature death in the death trap that was Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, a site which I was once unfortunate enough to visit - and wish I hadn't!
Of course, she was but one amongst millions but there is something about her, and her life story, that pierces you to the heart - as does, in a very different way, Rachmaninov's evocative music. Sorry for sounding a bit soppy but, dammit, there is just something about that girl and her fate that touches me. Apparently, this week is the 75th anniversary of her death.
I strongly, strongly urge you to sign up for Audible (now an Amazon company) and buy the audio book of Anne Frank's diary narrated by Helena Bonham-Carter.
Even if you've read it already, there is something so much more, beyond description, in hearing a beautiful woman's voice tell that story. I'm ashamed to say I'd not read it before, but pleased also because the details of the story were entirely new to me.
I listened to it at night while Fluffbun snoozed, and in the final session went all through the night and threw a sickie the next day.
It's one of those where you're not the same afterwards, you're right.
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Monday, 05 August 2019 at 20:27
No, Lawrence, I haven't read any of her diary except the occasional quote which comes up. That is deliberate on my part because I simply could not bear to do so. Even looking at that photo above brings the anguish full on.
Life's a bitch - then you hear 'Rach 2' and change your mind - sort of!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 05 August 2019 at 22:21
My wife has the diary and we have visited the house in Amsterdam. Jews will continue to be attacked in the EU and that is why Israel is a necessary escape homeland. I doubt the Jews could escape to a Corbyn led Momentum UK.
Posted by: Glesga | Tuesday, 06 August 2019 at 00:28
Jimmy there are a lot of people who would disagree with you re Israel.
A friend of my father used to look skyward when exasperated, hold his arms out and mutter, "Lord I know we are the chosen people but could you pick on someone else for a while".
Posted by: AussieD | Tuesday, 06 August 2019 at 05:11