Hi Dear Friends:
It’s February. Hallelujah!
How are you? As you kick off February, do you have plenty of uplifting things (or at least one) to keep you rejoiced?
Who can escape the disheartening stuff that runneth over news outlets these days? Granted, light is in the distance but, oh my, is it ever distant lately? My eyes are rubbed raw trying to keep sight of the light.
Here’s an inspirational, joyful pass-time that I've rediscovered. Something that eliminates a need for eye-rubbing and drying. Something that will inject joy into your heart in spite of gloomy news, every which way you look:
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, specifically...and The Woodruff Arts Center in general!
Are you a symphony fan? Used to be? Always wanted to be? Never gave it much thought? Are you beat down from depressing news day in and day out?
Well…
Classical music has been proven to alleviate depression! (See yellow button below)
If you live in or visit Atlanta (a Delta pilot once told me “if you die and go to heaven you have to go through ATL"), please know that there is a thriving arts culture here. My favorite part of The Woodruff Arts Center is ASO (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).
By the end of 2023, I hadn’t been to the Symphony in 40 years. Since January 3, 2024, I’ve attended three concerts (long story). All three were mesmerizing, including how quickly the time passed. If you know me, you know that sitting still isn’t something that comes naturally. I was shocked to, save for a couple seat adjustments, sit as still as the chair for the whole thing.
The first concert we saw was Vivaldi (personal fave) and Mozart. The second was Anton Bruckner (Te Deum). The Bruckner concert included the amazing Atlanta Symphony Chorus (wow!). The third was Mozart and Bruckner with pianist, Sunwook Kim. Wow, again.
All three performances were superb. But, in particular, Bruckner’s Te Deum swiped our breath away. This rendition that I found online isn't nearly as compelling as ASO's live performance but it's still wonderful.
Bruckner’s work is emotional, moving. There’s no mistaking his journey of angst and struggle.
“Medieval Christians believed the Te Deum had the power to heal. Some believers swore it could raise the dead. Te Deum, meaning “God, we praise you,” is a hymm dating from the 4th century. It became a feature of morning prayer, and Christian martyrs are said to have sung its words as they met their maker.” (Encore, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
Anton Bruckner was from the Austrian countryside. His father passed away when he was 13-years-old. After arriving in Vienna to pursue his genius, he was relentlessly teased for looking like and dressing like a poor, country peasant. Bruckner dedicated his Te Deum ensemble: “For the greater glory of God.” Saying:
“[I dedicated it to God] in gratitude for having safely brought me through so much anguish in Vienna.” (Encore, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Choir’s performance of Bruckner’s Te Deum was indescribable:
“If you can describe it, God didn’t do it,” --Michael Youssef
I hope you’ll give a classical music performance at ASO a try in 2024. A symphony performance any where is sure to lift your spirits into a brighter light than currently exists.
Thank you for reading!
Love, Shelley
(Benefits of Listening to Classical Music above)
