NHK Orchestra Plays Tribute To People Of Japan

[$tevie]

Lovely idea, and a lovely piece as well.

Japan's top orchestra, the NHK Symphony, played last (note: Wednesday) night outside Washington, D.C. "Bach's Air On a G String," was added at the last minute by conductor Andre Previn. He said it was a tribute to the people of Japan. Michele Norris and Robert Siegel have more.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/17/134633189/...e-Of-Japan

[Grace62]

Beautiful tribute...

Nothing like music to soothe the soul. My son recently bought an ocarina, which is a round-ish Japanese earthen flute, and has been learning some traditional Japanese music. It wafts peacefully through the house - really calming. I like the Buddhist practice of burning incense to help with focus during meditation, the sound of the ocarina is like a musical version of that.
He got it right before the earthquake to use in a presentation to his Japanese class. We're going to have him play it in church while we show slides from Japan, as a reflective time to contemplate what we can do to help. His Japanese teacher is leading a Red Cross drive in our community and believes that right now that's the best place for Americans to send cash. In the face of this overwhelming disaster it feels good to something, even the smallest gesture.