The feeble old man needed lots of help getting up on the podium to begin conducting the Oregon Symphony in 1967.
As a reporter in the Portland bureau of AP, I wondered what I would write if he died on the spot.
What could you say about Igor Stravinsky, arguably the greatest composer of the 20th century? And why was he stooping to direct music in such a backwater town.
What a legacy he had built up in his 79 years! His “Rite of Spring” turned the classical music world upside down in 1913, drawing far more boos than applause in its premiere. His “Firebird” and “Petrushka” were big additions to the classical repertoire.
After his aide, Robert Kraft, guided him up the stairs, this legend took out his baton and vigorously led an inspired group of symphony musicians for over an hour.
Why was he doing this? Why wasn’t he basking in the sun somewhere in retirement before he died in 1971? My guess is: he couldn’t. When you are among the greatest of all time, you just don’t give up.
Another who won’t quit is singer Bob Dylan, 85, who was still touring last month in towns like Spartanburg, S.C., Asheville, NC., and Macon, Ga.
Would he instead sit in a rocking chair, entertaining grandchildren or sorting old photos of his concerts? If you asked him, he would probably sing, “It ain’t me babe.”
Then there’s Rickey Henderson, the fast-running baseball player who refused to end his career until the ripe old age of 46 with the San Diego Dawgs of the Golden Baseball League.
I am no or Dylan, Henderson or Stravinskay, but I am not about to hang it up either. In a tour bus in Europe, I talked about writing to one of the tourists, and she told me, “Whatever you do, don’t stop!” So here I am.
Well, what about you? Is it gardening, quilting, singing, cooking, hang gliding, running or card-playing that keeps your engine running? Or maybe you would like to start something new.
Don’t stop!
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Was this the Mormon tabernacle? No. It was Grace Baptist Church in Virgilina, with a chorus of 80 singers and an audience of 200-300 for “Concert of Hymns.”
Singers from dozens of local churches practiced two weeks for songs most of them knew already—staples like “Bringing In the Sheaves” and “I’ll Fly Away.”
I have rarely had so much fun at a concert, which was conducted on April 26 by Tim Duncan. We weren’t staring at music sheets for the right notes. We were looking at the words on the screen, with our eyes also on the audience.
The highlight for me was a gospel-tinged version of “Blessed Assurance” and “I Trust the Lord” sung by Rita Hargrave with husband Andy on piano. With some arms waving and shouts of “Sing it!” it felt like a revival meeting or gospel concert.
