pitch pipe resurrection

Kazzy

pitch pipe resurrection

Three years ago a great man was planning his 80th birthday celebration. He wanted creative control and had his own ideas about how the evening should be spent.

Everyone come in Sunday best. I have prepared an address I will be giving. We will not play games, and after the cake I would like everyone to quietly go home after giving me a big hug.

The family all showed up on time and were greeted by the man in his sear-sucker suit. They all walked into the living room where there were chairs and even a podium ready for the event.

Deep feelings shared. Love of the Lord. Love of family. Geneology. Tears.

And then came the gifts. A line of 12 grandchildren who had been secretly prepared to stand in front of this man they adored to recite Emerson quotes by memory. All of this to honor the man's love of his work. Hours spent standing in line on ships in the south Pacific during WWII reading Emerson front to back. The book now sits on a son's bookshelf as a constant reminder of a father's love and his interest in fine literature.

And then one final gift from the oldest grandson. After finding an old musical score in the old man's den, this grandson set about, with his father's help, to transfer the notes from the page to a digital recording. A composition never before heard. Never performed. Written while living on a metal mansion floating off the coast of Japan, composed entirely with a pitch pipe. Multiple parts for multiple instruments. In a manilla envelope for over 60 years, a silent symphony. This grandson turned on the cd player and sat down in time to see the color change in his grandfather's face. Remembrance within seconds. An internal recollection. First time alive.