Google Image, Salo Angel Falls in South America
You've been told how a woman's brain functions, with its multi-task, jumping around thinking, and spaghetti connections. Well... that is exactly the condition of my little gray cells this morning. I cannot think on just one topic!
For instance... what are the links in my thinking, that would connect Yo-Yo Ma to a South American, Jesuit priest of the mid-1700's, then to my daughter's wedding, and on to American piracy of the 1600's? Do you give up? Bet you do.
For years I have loved the expressive, "luminous meditations" played by famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, called "Gabriel's Oboe," followed by "The Falls." Although revelling in the beauty, I had never researched the background. Today was my day to do so, as I sat listening to the album, Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone. This music was composed by the legendary (legendary... boy, am I ignorant!) Ennio Morricone, who has composed gifted scores for numerous films. (I love getting educated! What took me so long?)
The two pieces that have delighted my spirit for so many years, "Gabriel's Oboe" and "The Falls," were written for the movie The Mission. Slave trading adventurers... swashbuckling... missionary fervor... repentance and redemption... all can be found within this 1986 epic movie. I've never watched it, as the violence inferred to is just not something I can stomach, especially when children are involved. (Perhaps I can watch it through Clear Play!) However... I want to understand Morricone's intent as he composed the music I have come to love. "Gabriel's Oboe" was written for the godly Jesuit priest, Father Gabriel, who played a magical oboe. And "The Falls" was written for the second main character, adventurer, Rodrigo Mendoza, who as part of his self-pennance, toted his heavy colonial armor up a vertical South American, jungle mountain pathway next to "The Falls," the only access to The Mission.
Reading about this movie, and sensing the intense human struggles and emotions portrayed in it, gives me more appreciation for my beloved music. (Have you noticed that when a piece of music becomes so personal to us, in a deep and moving way, that we begin to call it "my... music"?)
Now you understand the Yo-Yo Ma - Jesuit priest connection in my mind. In my next two posts, I'll let you in on my daughter's wedding... and the PIRATES connection. And how they all tie together in my spaghetti bowl brain.
See you then!
