Friday, January 23, 2009

TCHAIKOVSKY SMACKDOWN

"1812 Overture," played by Berliner Philharmoniker. Seiji Ozawa, conductor.

part 1
(there's an intermission, sort of... when part 1 stops, play part 2 below)



part 2

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"President Obama."


I'll admit it.

I've acquired a distinct, giddy-twitch reaction when I hear the words. My brain hasn't purged 43 as quickly and easily as expected. I guess W's got some staying (or staining) power. When the name "Bush" doesn't fall after "President," it tickles me brain. Over the last few days, there's been something incredibly relieving about the "non-Bush-ness" of all things President.

Like you, since the 20th, I've been acclimatizing to the New Normal. I'm also trying to savor it. Earlier today, I had an inspiring flashback of sorts. I heard what certainly could have been the perfect soundtrack for me, watching this week's historic and peaceful transfer of presidential power. 

While I was snarled in traffic and listening to the local public radio, the DJ at classic 89 snuck in an unexpected spin of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. It beautifully conjured the deeply-emotive inauguration experience, all over again.

Somber, yet victorious. Tempered, yet triumphant.

Put on your headphones. Watch it and listen. This is some of the greatest music ever written and ever played. Just click play and get on it.

It's like watching the sun rise after a long, treacherous night

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ps: If you're half out of your mind, like me, you might find yourself pressing play and mixing in both the 1812 Overture and Barack Obama's Inauguration speech (found below).

Just sayin.'


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