I gave in to an unusual compulsion to have my Artist’s Date be music-related. Given that music was a source of torture and a huge block to my genuine creative desires, I was surprised at the direction to do so, but beyond pleased with the results. Also, I’m still doing quite well budget wise: so far I’ve had five dates, and the total expense to me has been $3.36. There will be a date at the end of the month that costs $10, but still, in terms of total output? Not bad.
I went to see a performance by Hungarian jazz musician Sandor Szabo who was one of the Communist-era types who decided to create despite a great big cultural thump of a block. I had no idea who he was before arriving at the concert; I assumed that the guy would be some sort of African. Since I’m not a fan of any particular genre of music - it either speaks to me or it doesn’t, though it’s chances of irritating me are better with country - I had no expectations going in.
It was probably the single most amazing concert experience of my life. Clouds were starting to come in as he took the stage, and there were lightning flashes at key points in the music. We finally had to move the concert into the foyer of the Northrup Auditorium - the result was a very intimate, informal concert space. He proceeded to talk about his experiences studying Hungarian shamanism, and played his piece called “Rain.” As he played, the heavens opened up and I could see flashes of magenta lightning twice against the windows of the auditorium; I only wish I’d been quick enough to get a shot of him playing as someone opened the door, his silhouette framed against the rain pouring down outside. It was thunder and lightning at all the right moments in the music - it was as though he were playing the rain.
It was still raining when the concert ended, and I could see that the sidewalk lamps on U of M campus had come on, but they were going out as I walked passed them and the sun reappeared in the sky.
Maybe music has something to say to me after all, as soon as the idiot translator get out of the way.
