The Halls are Alive with the Sound of Music.
Wandering down a back street, I thought I heard music. Purely on a whim I decided to enter this large 4 story building from which the sounds emanated. So glad I did !
It was a perfect rainy day. Perfect because I had to spend time indoors trying to get my camera and computer talking together as well as wandering the halls of this great school of music.
I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get these pictures. In my travels there is, as often as not, someone saying you can't take them, particularly when you most want to. In fact a guy stopped me after I entered,, but when I finally said, in Ukranian, no less (really), that I didn't speak the language, he pointed to his eyes, smiled and let me go.
I then lurked around the halls and stair wells capturing what I could as surreptiously as possible of the students practicing before their lessons. I heard horns, mandolins, violins, pianos, and and the strands of an aria from one of Pucini's great operas. If I weren't such a tough guy I would tell you that the sweet cacophony of these beautiful sounds almost brought tears to my eyes.
In the evening I walked around the block from my hotel to the Lviv Philharmonic and heard a wonderful choral performance. At the conclusion of the performance, I had the unique and totally unexpected opportunity to video this wonderful encore. Even if you are not a classical music fan I think you will find the music in this video inspiring and, especially, the great enthusiasm of the audience.
Ukraine is a poor country. It has experienced great turmoil historically and, as you know, faces great uncertainty now. But Lviv its most beautiful and nationaly authentic city is truly wealthy in what may matter more than material wealth. Its rich culture.
I can tell you that for one American, being here, particularly at this time, has been both a tremendously rewarding and somewhat humbling experience.
Thanks for reading!
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