Wednesday, November 25, 2020
The day the music...paused
"You don't miss your water, 'til the well runs dry." One of the many
things I love about Oaxaca is the music that seems to be a constant
here. Brass bands are everywhere from the city's streets to the most
remote villages. The house I live in overlooks a vast area. It is in
the foothills of one set of mountains and I can look across a wide
valley to the next range, miles off to the west. Normally, I can hear
these bands playing or practicing, as the sound carries remarkably
far. I hear music for danzas, fiestas, weddings and funerals. Many
pieces are recognizable and traditional and then there are the
absolutely kick-ass tunes that make you want to jump up and move. I've
been back from self-isolating in MA to doing the same here. There is
much work to do, so I spend most of the day outside and I've not heard
one note since I've been back. Of course, I've always believed that
anything that goes in your ears is music, I still have the birds, the
winds and the sounds of everyday life as a soundtrack, but I sure miss
the music.

Thanks for the post and the little Tubas video. I've always thought of tubas mainly as the oom-pah-pah anchor of band music, never really appreciated their musicality until that guy in the funeral procession. What a wonderful musician he is.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Good to read a blog from you again and welcome back to Oaxaca. We miss it so much. Very profound thoughts and sad to think the sound of music from the hills of Oaxaca can be silent. Good thing the birds are alive and chirping and the winds continue to blow. Life does go on.
ReplyDeletePeaceful thoughts, stay healthy and safe,
Steve and Bev