Oregon Symphony

I went to the symphony with Sue’s son Shawn. We heard Mendelssohn’s 2nd symphony, the “Hymn of Praise” with a chorus of 100 voices and a full symphony orchestra including organ and tympani. It was glorious, and I was struck, absorbing the massive energy, that I seldom see a couple of hundred people completely united. No factions, no splits, no abstentions. No argument. The chorus begins with "Ah!" Everyone sang “Ah!” at exactly the same time; all the strings bowed or plucked at the same time, on the same notes. The horns blew together and held their notes for the same length of time. Whatever the performers thought of the director, they followed him. They were united in making something beautiful. Ah!