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Connections&
Isaac Stern, one of the world's greatest violinists, died this past September 24. Besides being one of the master instrumentalists of our time, Isaac Stern will also be remembered for much more. Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, said of his lifelong friend, "His generosity of spirit was the key to his playing." In 1960, when developers planned to demolish New York's famed Carnegie Hall for an office tower, Stern mobilized leaders of the music, political and financial communities to save the historic hall. The Carnegie Hall Corporation he founded not only saved the structure but restored the building in 1986 for its centenary celebration in 1991. Stern served as president of the corporation until his death; in 1997, the main concert hall was named the Isaac Stern Auditorium in honor of his efforts. What drove his efforts to save the old hall? Stern said at the time that it was more than simply preserving a piece of America's musical heritage. "There are practical reasons, too, for not destroying it," Stern explained. "The young people of this country are demanding more and more music and producing more and more first-rate musicians. How dare we take away from them and the audiences of the future one of the great music rooms of the world?" To Isaac Stern, just as important as his own playing was teaching and encouraging other talented musicians. Even in his later years, as he gradually withdrew from performing, his dedication to teaching and mentoring new talent never waned. He traveled around the world teaching master classes to aspiring musicians. He encouraged and opened doors for young musicians he considered exceptionally talented. Yo Yo Ma, Emanual Ax, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman are among the many musicians all given a critical push by Stern early in their careers. In 1999, Isaac Stern was asked about his lifetime of mentoring young musicians and promoting the arts around the world: "Our job as musicians" he said, "[is] to always remind people how beautiful things can be." [The New York Times, September 24, 2001; Newsweek, October 8, 2001; People, October 8, 2001.] CONNECTION: Isaac Stern's dedication to the preservation of historic Carnegie Hall for future generations and his teaching and mentoring of promising musicians mirrors Jesus' challenge to us in today's Gospel to persevere in seeking the lasting things of God. The kingdom of God is built in our own time and place not of mere stones that will one day disintegrate to nothing but of the more lasting stuff of compassion, justice, reconciliation--and music and beauty. May God grant us the wisdom to realize what a great and lasting world we can build if we put aside our attitudes and avarices that limit our vision to the ephemeral and the courage and grace to build such a sacred world. ¦ |
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