One thing I loved about Barack Obama’s campaign was the way it brought people together—black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, you name it. But it wasn’t just American voters who were inspired by Obama’s message of hope and reconciliation. As we now know, people from all around the globe celebrated Obama’s presidential victory. Check out this post at The Assimilated Negro blog for a stirring gallery of photos from around the world with people’s reactions to the news of America’s new president.
I think the world has always revered the U.S. for its freedoms and accomplishments. But for the first time, I think the world witnessed the American ideals that we always brag about being truly realized in a most significant way. We finally chose a leader whose narrative and skin resemble a greater fullness of what America is all about.
I know some of you are not Obama fans, so I won’t belabor these thoughts. But I will add (at the risk of sounding too much like Michelle Obama) that I gained a new appreciation for my country on Tuesday night. I occasionally get chills when the National Anthem is played or when I see U.S. military servicemen and women getting off a plane at the airport. But seeing the American flags waving Tuesday night, the rainbow of men and women, and our new president-elect made me feel more patriotic than I ever thought I could. I just pray that God will use this enthusiasm and spirit of hope to do something profound and lasting in the life of our nation—and in the world.
Anyway, I’ve been carrying these feelings around with me ever since Election Day. So it’s no surprise that it’s affecting the way I listen to music. Earlier today, I started jonesing for some Tchaikovsky. In case you didn’t know, I’m a big classical music fan, especially composers from the Romantic period. Back in college, Tchaikovsky was my indisputable favorite. His heartrending melodies and dramatic intensity were the perfect match for my sometimes melancholy and hyperactive college self. I’ve since added Brahms and Sibelius to my list of all-time favorites, but Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is still the gold standard for me as far a Romantic-era composers go.
So what does Tchaikovsky have to do with Barack Obama? Well, as I sought to fulfill that Tchaikovsky jones, I wondered if there were any good video performances of Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture Francesca da Ramini, so I logged on to YouTube. After stumbling through a few unexciting renditions, I finally landed upon an incredible performance from late last year by the Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela. Led by a fiery young conductor named Manuel López Gómez, these young men and women “tore it up!”
If you’re familiar with Tchaikovsky’ s Francesca da Rimini, based on a tragic character from Dante’s Divine Comedy, you know it’s a thrilling (perhaps over-the-top) piece of music, filled with pounding syncopation and swirling strings that evoke the flames of hell. I’ve never had the privilege of seeing the work performed live, but I always imagined it would provide quite a workout for an orchestra and its conductor, and that’s definitely the case with this dynamic Venezuelan ensemble. While poised and professional, these kids are clearly feeling the emotion of the music. You can see it in their body language and the way they throw themselves into the performance. By the end of it, I was reminded of how transfixed I was upon seeing the Soul Children of Chicago gospel choir for the first time. It was back in 1991 at Wheaton College. To watch and hear those joyful African American children and teens transform that initially stiff Wheaton crowd into a congregation of unabashed worshipers was something to behold. These Venezuelan youth performed Tchaikovsky with that same energy and exuberance. Please watch the performance below (in three parts) to see what I’m talking about.
Then I thought about the fact that here I am, an African American nerd listening to young Venezuelan musicians perform a classical Russian composer’s interpretation of a medieval Italian writer’s epic poem. This, of course, speaks to the power of great art to transcend time, genre, and culture. But, for me, at least during this historic time in our nation, it also says something about the power of diversity, bridge-building, and multicultural harmony—the notion that we’re all connected. The same values and ideals that first got me excited about Barack Obama way back when.
Francesca da Rimini Part 1
Francesca da Rimini Part 2
Francesca da Rimini Part 3
[…] What Obama, Tchaikovsky, and Dante Have in CommonAfter stumbling through a few unexciting renditions, I finally landed upon an incredible performance from late last year by the Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela. Led by a fiery young conductor named Manuel … […]
Art crosses all boundaries.
And now we have an artist for a president:
We did it.
Yes we did.
Ed – what an amazing comparison and so well written. Thanks for sharing.
Like you, I too was just in awe this past week of how for the first time that America came through on her ideals. Last week Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva was quoted as saying “I think that, in all world, there is a little bit of happiness. In the silent minds of each of us, how good it would be if a black is elected president of the United States.”
One might say – why does that matter? Well let’s think back a few years to the Hurricane Katrina disaster – the whole world got to see our dirty little secret and the disparity among the poorest people in this country and the majority of the victims in that case were black. It was a sad statement on our country and really shook those who thought of our nation in high esteem.
Barack’s election this past week vindicates us and shows that we are serious about the American dream being for everyone.
Do you know my favorite part? My three year old son, Evan will grow up believing that he can be president. I used to say it as a kid – I loved and still love politics – but never had the evidences to make me truly believe it in my heart. He does and he will.
Loved this, Ed. Appreciate very much our shared passion of how leadership, the arts and the spirit can fuse together.
Peace,
John
Love it. I’m a big Dante fan.
P.S. How did that funky picture of me get attached to the comments I submit? Oh well.
I was one of the white kids in that 1991 Wheaton concert, and being part of that experience started me on a great trajectory of lifelong learning and blessing from the African American faith community.
I feel bad that you have to add disclaimers like, “I know some of you are not Obama fans . . . ” I guess one of the lifelong burdens of an evangelical reconciler is always having to qualify your true feelings.
Sorry.
[…] Gilbreath – What Obama, Tchaikovsky, and Dante Have in Common (Reconciliation […]
I was never offended by Michelle Obama’s comment. I don’t know why she got so much flak for it. I think it was perfectly understandable. I like her, and think she’ll make a good first lady.
great post. did i know you were into classical back in the day? my favorite, as well. i’m a chopin, then schubert guy myself, but i love all of it.
what was that fine arts prof we had? he almost made me give up classical. 🙂
Nate,
Are you talking about Dr. Ed Thompson at Judson? He was the man! Back then, I thought I would always be firmly in the Romantic-era camp, but he told me I’d probably warm up more to the Classical era as I got older. And he was mostly right. He helped me deepen my understanding of classical music, though my journey really started back in middle school listening to John Williams soundtrack albums (the “Superman” score is my favorite). Then, as I began sampling more true classical pieces, I realized that Tchaikovsky was doing John Williams long before Williams was. (In fact, I’d hate to hear what Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, or E.T. would’ve sounded like without Tchaikovsky’s influence.) But I digress. I love Chopin and Schubert, too — as well as Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Saint-Saens. Wow, I could go on and on. Maybe I should start a blog just to talk about classical music. Would anyone read that? 🙂
Ed G.
Very nice.
i’ll read it. and comment.
dr. ed was my choir prof, but that’s not who i had for fine arts appreciation. i wish. i loved dr. ed. my guy was a littler dude, around the same age, and a little more than wacky. he reminded me of my high school german teacher.
speaking of john williams, have you watched the video posted on my blog? it’s titled “and now for something completely different”. if you like john, you’re gonna love it!
Ed, funny you should bring up the arts, and music in particular. I interviewed someone the other day about his music, or rather I guess I should say the music God puts in him. He is a self-proclaimed rebel and tyrant, and yet he yields to God’s rule when he plays (mostly by ear).
It’s amazing to watch him, a young black man from the rough side of Philly, go from rap to jazz to classical. In so many words, he told me music is not black or white, it’s power. It’s started wars and ended wars. It’s more powerful than people know.
Thanks for your post, good stuff.
[I’m a big Sibelius and Samuel Barber fan, btw. So I’d comment mostly on those if you start a classical music blog]
Ben, I meant to say hi earlier. I’d love to hear more about your experience at that ’91 Soul Children concert. It was one of those life-changing events for me, as well. Thank you, and everyone here, for your thoughtful comments.
Ed G.
How Lovely…….. Graciious me -what a bunch of powerful musicians. It’s beauty pulls from the inner depths….thank you for sharing this-I just love it! Praise God for Discernments–Praise God for “The Elect Gentlemen Obama” good reason , good protection, and a fine historical moment of infactic worth….yep…Fun!
Now we’ve got to move you into the Baroque period!
if it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it.