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Date: | Sat, 10 Jun 2000 11:28:48 +1000 |
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Virginia Knight wrote:
>So if you wish to make a pilgrimage to the grave of someone you revere, or
>are just interested in seeing what their memorial looks like, this might be
>a useful site to visit.
Such a pilgrimage may sound morbid, but I have found the few I've
experienced very valuable. The huge cemetery at Simmering in the outer
suburbs of Vienna contains graves or memorials for a number of composers
including Suppe, Brahms, Johann Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven. The morning
I visited was, appropriately, very cold but sunny. I found it deeply
moving to stand at Beethoven's grave and reflect on how much his music
had enriched my life. I was so immersed in these feelings that I only
gradually became aware of a Japanese man of about my age standing next to
me. I saw that, like me, he was on the point of tears. Having shared such
a powerful emotion with a stranger made it even more memorable.
I expected something really elaborate at the Wagners' resting place behind
Wahnfried at Bayreuth. It's austere, almost neglected, but no less moving.
It's also interesting to see where composers were born or lived. I once
passed through Danbury Connecticut and had the feeling that someone I
should remember was born there. It wasn't until I returned home that
I discovered that it was Ives, and I missed the chance to absorb some
atmosphere. If any of my friends from the List is making a pilgrimage
there, please remember me to the old boy - I won't have the chance again.
Richard Pennycuick
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