Saturday, November 01, 2008

Private Passions

There is a programme which is broadcast on Radio 3 at the weekend, where Michael Berkeley interviews a celebrity who chooses music which means a lot to him or her - a kind of upmarket Desert Island Discs. I've been thinking recently that I should maybe reveal some of my private passions, so here is one - the slow movement of Anton Bruckner's 7th Symphony. Historically, the composer wrote this movement following the death of his hero, Richard Wagner, and it is undoubtedly deeply felt.

It is about, and expresses emotion. For me, I guess, it is a vehicle, whereby I can bring near to the surface the overwhelming sadness which, mostly, I hide. Sorry, please move on - the sight of a grown man crying ...

No comments: