Saturday, November 29, 2014

Lest we forget

Remembrance Day in Vancouver, indeed observances all across Canada, was especially well attended this year in light of the cowardly shooting of a soldier guarding the war memorial in Ottawa in late October.  The legion was flooded with requests for their poppy pins earlier than the launch of the fundraising campaign.  For weeks there was overall a sense of pride and resilience, akin to the British 'stiff upper lip'.
The weather was clear and bright that morning, and as I watched the marching military procession I felt sober yet light just by listening to the choirs sing.  The maple keys gently twirling down among the crowd were a whimsical contrast to a grim poem about mustard gas.  The ceremonial artillery fire spooked the confused flock of pigeons that moved as a unit among the stylish old heritage buildings in Gastown.  The prayer was thoughtful and moving though seemed rushed to keep schedule with the flyby planes already in the air.  To top it off Christopher Gaze, of Bard on the Beach fame, read a Robert Service poem about the war with such amazing delivery it reverently hushed the crowd.
Later I happened to notice the marquis sign for a church in my neighborhood announcing a Chor Leoni concert for that evening, "A Great Service".  They are arguably one of the most polished choral acts in Vancouver and I'd heard great reviews for them but never seen their live performance before.  Further investigation found that there were still tickets available, they weren't as expensive as I'd expected, and lo and behold Christopher Gaze was reading more Robert Service poems there as well!
Well that sealed it, and I'm glad I went.  The performances by both were spellbinding, alternating between songs and poetry with precision timing and smooth transition.  No applause till the end; it was just a good feeling of despair, passion, hope, in a grand space designed for an audience to arrive as individuals and leave as a group of people together impressed and smiling from the gift the performers have given them.
Thank you.