A strange but wonderful phenomenon occurred at CDG train station yesterday.. In Paris. People waiting for trains were seated everywhere in a haphazard but ordered way. Most were as is the custom these days either reading, texting, listening to iPods or playing games/ working on their iPads. Totally Disengaged from one another. Then I see it. A Kawai piano stands next to the chairs in the midst of the thoroughfare. A young woman tries in vain to play some Chopin then leaves. There is mild interest. I try to talk to the young American girl next to me but I can see she wants to get back to her book. I find myself apologizing and open my iPad again. Suddenly she gets up, moves to the piano and begins to play. Whatever it is she plays is enchanting and soon the weary faces of the travellers change. They are smiling now, some with their heads back and eyes closed. When she finishes I applaud and many follow suit. She takes her seat next to me and I ask her the name of the piece. hymn she replies smiling and then adds why dont you play? Two thoughts jump into my mind. Does she think everyone seated in the area can play piano? The other... What an earth would I play? Before I can think much further a little man approaches the piano and quietly plays a Bach invention. He is rusty but again receives an enthusiastic reception. I turn to Neil and he looks at me in that way that says youre not going to are you? Yes I nod and make my way to the piano hoping jet lag wont muddle my brain. The first thing I can think to play is the old chorus As the deer. As my confidence increases I launch into Somewhere over the rainbow. The people around smile. They know it of course. I finish and nod politely to the applause. The American girl smiles a wide smile. The little man approaches me and he and his wife and Neil and I begin to talk. Barriers have been broken down. Ah... The wonder of music.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 06:33:39 +0000
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