16 Apr 2017

Giving Thanks to Music

From The Sunday Feature, 2:00 pm on 16 April 2017
Joanna Lumley

Joanna Lumley Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

 

Music holds a special meaning. Sometimes it marks a momentous time in one’s life, or recalls a deep-seated emotion that stirs us to our core. And sometimes it changes our lives in a profound way. The WFMT Radio Network invited eight individuals from different walks of life to describe something they all have in common: the profound value classical music has had for them.  As these outstanding people from the worlds of poetry, music, opera, film, theatre, humanitarian aid, and radio and television news reveal their experiences, we take a moment to give thanks for the music that has enriched our lives. 

The guests taking part are:

·         Opera singer Renee Fleming

·         US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera

·         Film, television and theatre actress Joanna Lumley

·         Author, humanitarian and charity founder Terry Waite

·         Conductor JoAnn Falletta

·         Author and documentary maker John Humphrys

·         Opera singer Jose Carreras

·         Television newscaster Geeta Guru-Murthy

Music has played an especially healing role for two of our contributors who faced enormous ordeals in their lives: former Church of England Special Envoy Terry Waite, who was held captive in Beirut, chained to a wall for nearly five years; and acclaimed tenor Jose Carreras, who overcame a near-fatal catastrophe when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. 

Some of the music that these guests are thankful for include Elgar’s oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, the aria O Silver Moon from Dvorak’s opera Rusalka, Debussy’s Clair de Lune from his Suite Bergamasque, the Intermezzo from Puccini’s opera Manon Lescaut, and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, among others. (WFMT)