Posted by
Boris Tiraspolsky on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 1:13:19 AM
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Original score of the Ninth Symphony
for Orchestra, Soloists and Choir
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A parable is a brief, "useful" story in prose or verses that illustrates a moral lesson. According to ancient Greek hilosopher Plato parables encapsulate an abstract argument into a concrete, more easily grasped narrative. Here is a "musical" parable related to "wrong ideologicy" of the ruling party and "ideology of no ideology" of the opposition party.
Playing music with wrong instruments
by Ben Imas and Boris Tiraspolsky
Both political parties in the United States act like two amateur music players who want to play the Ninth Symphony by Beethoven and sing The Ode to Joy. However, the only musical instruments they have and can play are percussion instruments and banjo.
One player says, I understand that the Ninth Symphony is written for an orchestra and choir, and requires many other instruments - string, brass, woodwind. But I play percussion instruments that are an integral part of the composer's music. Another player says, I could not care less what "other" instruments needed to play this music. I play my banjo, as many Americans do, and I do not need percussion instruments either, because no one could hear how well I play my banjo, otherwise.
Finally, a Conductor comes and tells to both amateur players that they cannot play the Ninth Symphony and sing
The Ode to Joy by using wrong instruments. In order to explain to them why it cannot be done, he asks for a "useful instrument" - grand piano to play the original composer's score. Alas! The grand piano is not available anymore either. Some time ago BOTH PARTIES agreed to sell the grand piano and purchase the percussion instruments and banjo instead.
Continued...