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photo via artist’s website

The Dutch composer Willem Van Merwijk (aka Guillermo Lago)

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Blow away Divisiveness with Cool Sounds

by Kenneth M. Kapp

 

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…..These are interesting times. The original version of this essay appeared online four years ago a few weeks after the  United States Capitol was stormed by a mob after hearing a speech by the then president prior to the official confirmation of his successor. Now, almost four years later, he has been reelected. It’s been four divisive years, years that were far from heavenly harmony.

…..Flames of hate have been fanned; there’s more talk  of Us  versus  Them.  It’s not only about pronouns, though that’s there too. If you’re part of a minority, you begin to worry – big time – especially when masked rowdies march down streets waving large Nazi flags. No one wins when hate plays out. Words and even pictures may strive to capture the anguish of those that are trodden under hobnailed boots but, more often than not, words and even pictures fall short. Occasionally, the tragedy can be captured with sounds. And it’s these sounds that can provide a reminder lest we fail to extinguish the flames early on.

…..Willem Van Merwijk (aka Guillermo Lago) is a Dutch composer who was invited to reestablish saxophone classes at the Sarajevo Academy of Music at the turn of the 21st century. The city was ravished by the Bosnian war during the previous decade. The devastation fell heavily on all the inhabitants and more than echoes remained when, with the help of his friend Adnan Cico and others in “Musicians without Borders,” he founded Winds of Change, the first wind ensemble in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

…..The composition “Sarajevo” was dedicated to his friends in that city, and is one of six city sketches for saxophone quartet that comprises his suite Ciudades. In it you can feel the pain that is caused by civil war, where friend-fights-friend and neighbors take arms against neighbors. It moves me to tears every time I hear it in live concerts, and late at night when I listen alone in my room.

…..They say music can soothe the soul of the savage beast. Perhaps if those assembled to vilify others would listen to this quartet instead of inflammatory words of disgruntled politicians future tragedies can be averted. These are sounds of a different drummer.

…..These sounds are worth more than a thousand words. Divisiveness kills and hate destroys.  Pray for peace and harmony and let us remember this as we go forward. And know that random acts of kindness is our ultimate weapon.

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There are several recordings available on YouTube.  This is a filmed recording by The Household Division Saxophone Quartet of the British Army

 

 

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The basis for this essay appeared online in the veteran’s blog: havokjournal.com on 1/24/2021. It was titled:  Music – A Reminder: “Sarajevo” by Guillermo Lago

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Kenneth M. Kapp was a Professor of Mathematics, a ceramicist, a welder, an IBMer, and yoga teacher. He lives with his wife in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, writing late at night in his man-cave. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries. His essays appear online in havokjournal.com and articles in shepherdexpress.com.  Please visit www.kmkbooks.com.

 

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