I was a project kid, pretty but hard to make.
Most of the men I let into my life wanted sex, but stayed as teachers.
I was bright and gave my full attention to any man who was willing to teach me about the world of art.
The music I knew was the music of my parents and the other kids in the projects.
From my Father I got Porter Wagoner, Buck Owens, and Skeeter Davis.
From my Mother I got Dinah Shore and Kitty Wells.
From the other kids in the projects I got Motown.
With the music of Motown I learned I could dance and for me dancing is still spiritual.
Everyone said I moved like a black kid, and it was true.
Black folks were my friends and neighbors.
As far as I was concerned, I was a Black kid with pale skin.
To me, Blackness was as much about class as it is about race.
My friend Paul knew I knew my โplaceโ in Charlestonโs antiquated class system, and that I wanted out.
Paul lived in the rich part of Charleston; the historic district near Battery Park.
He invited me to lunch one especially bright spring day.
He poured tea and showed me a decorative plate , inlaid with hundreds of shimmering blue butterfly wings.
Paul liked exquisite objects.
We stepped onto the patio that overlooked his garden and I brought a branch of wisteria to my nose.
Paul said that he wanted me to hear a record.
He said he wanted my opinion.
Then he placed the Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Minor on the turntable.
I heard the needle drop, and then a timpani followed by woodwinds.
I listened as Beethoven told me a story.
I had never heard a story more complex and profound.
It was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen or touched.
Beethoven changed my life.
(c) Rob Goldstein 2015-2020
So lovely. As usual, your posts are beautifully written and your words are heartfelt.
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Loved this post Rob – an eclectic mix of beauty. ๐
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I enjoy this character’s voice. He has a genuine belief in the goodness of people.
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We can always use more of that! ๐
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I think so… Thanks for your reply. I enjoy your comments.
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I enjoy your blog Rob. Glad we connected. ๐
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If art is the soul of humanity, then music must be its heartbeat. Iโm glad you found yours. Your post is beautiful, powerful. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Thank you for reading it and leaving me such an encouraging project.
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Hi Robert
The artwork for Bobby didn’t come across, not able to find in media file. Do you know why? It’s strange, we’ve not had any problems like this in past. Let me know what you think. ๐
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I fixed it. WordPress has gotten all peculiar.
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Tell me about it!!!!! Drives me crazy! Changes with no announcement or instruction, that’s why we love them so much. They keep us on our toes! ๐
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Yes!
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Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here.
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This is superbly vivid, Rob. And you crowned it with the music. Hugs
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Thanks Teagan. Bobby’s narratives are always direct.
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This is wonderful, Rob. I didn’t see this before. I only found it when I received the notification about As Mary Was Here for God. Sometimes, I think WordPress has a mind of its own.
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I’m glad you like this, Mary. Bobby is my favorite character. He’s kind of a gay Tom Sawyer. Thank you for sharing it on Twitter. WordPress is making me crazy. I still can’t find my re blog button.
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No one has a reblog button at the moment. WordPress say it’s a ‘technical glitch’ and that they are working on it. I don’t believe them. On the forums they keep saying in the meantime we can use Press This, which is quite different. I hope enough people put enough pressure on WP so they give us back our reblog button.
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OK. So it’s not me! I hope this isn’t an ‘improvement’ that isn’t.
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I loved the Rondo. Yehudi Menuhin was my Dad’s hero. ๐
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It’s a gorgeous piece of music. Thank you for stopping by and listening to it.
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-grin- I watched the trailer for the Pathetique as well. Have you by any chance watched Death in Venice? It’s old, dates back to the early 70s but the theme music is so beautiful it still makes me want to cry:
Mahler Symphony No 5 Adagietto
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I recall Death in Venice. I really should watch it again. And I do enjoy Mahler.
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I blush to admit I still haven’t explored much of Mahler’s work but the 5th is…glorious.
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Oh, I love this, Robert. I could feel the whole thing, that wonder of discovery and the senses opening. Wonderful writing. ๐
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Thank you! Your comment means alot to me.
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It’s wonderful.
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Thank you.
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And keep enjoying that music that takes your mind afar xx
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Isn’t it beautiful! I was lucky to have so many good mentors in my life.
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So much insight, so exquisitely and sensitively written. Beautiful and Moving.
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Thank you. Your comment is also moving. It was frustrating to be a kid with an inquisitive mind and an innate sense of language in region that treated intellectuals with open disdain and whose political leadership believed there was no reason to educate the poor.
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I listen to Beethoven, Bach, Pachelbel and a plethora of other classical music. I love it when Bobby comes out.
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I have a hankerin’ for some Buck Owens! ๐
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Ah, yes. Buck Owens…trying to “make it big…in Vegas.” LOLOL
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Beautiful piece. Listened with eyes closed. Paul is awesome for sharing it with you. That said, Motown is its own brand of classic.
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Motown is still da bomb! I mean hella cool ! I mean groovy! ๐
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All of that! ๐
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LOL!
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Great – life interlude I am sitting here so moved to tears.
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Thank you, Brother Andrew.
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Thank you
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Magnificent!
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Thank you! ๐
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Can’t beat Beethoven. I know that part of Charleston very well. What happened to Paul?
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He had problems. Most Gay guys before Stonewall bought into the notion that they were destined for sad, lonely lives that ended in suicide.
The worst thing about a global stigma is that folks don’t know how it wears you down day by day until one day you do the thing that stigma is designed to make you do: you die from self neglect or outright suicide.
I felt different about it. I had a different attitude. I always bashed back. ๐
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I love classical music. ๐ And I love your middle name. ๐
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It’s a nice Middle name…I took it when I became Catholic.
St. Matthew was a resistant convert who was moved to compassion by hearing God’s grace in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
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I am Jewish and am staying that way ๐ I don’t have a middle name. I’m just Samantha Josephine. ๐
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I think when you’re born Jewish you are always culturally Jewish.
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๐ Mmhmm. Very true Rob. Mi amore.
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