BEETHOVEN’S GIFT OF PEACE

Music has remarkable powers to heal and elevate the human spirit. It can make us reach out to others, stir us into action, and help us cope with inconsolable grief. Music can relieve our stress from everyday living and more. Yet, when heard in fellowship with others, music’s ability to change our lives is increased beyond measure.

Beethoven, who described himself as a tone-poet, understood this power of music and continually strove to put into musical sounds his most personal thoughts on life, from quiet joys to fond remembrances, from terrible struggles to triumph and transfiguration. He imbued his works with a profound spirituality. All these qualities are clearly evident in his last three piano sonatas. Through them Beethoven speaks simply and directly to the human heart, with a universal appeal and an enduring ability to bring comfort and solace.

In these times of war with its terrorism and senseless violence and in these times of unbelievable natural disasters, we need now more than ever to gather together as a community to listen to Beethoven’s message of hope, consolation, and peace. A message he has so selflessly given us. All we need do is sit quietly together and accept with open hearts his timeless gift of peace.

Wishing all of you peace,

Robert Rivard