On the Ninth Day of Christmas - Tchaikovsky Sym.5 finale with the Boston Symphony (Leonard Bernstein)

Who needs nine ladies dancing when you have Leonard Bernstein on the podium! Was there anyone better in our lifetime? Probably not. I had the good fortune of seeing him with the New York Philharmonic when I was a child. Later, during my studies at Manhattan School of Music, a Mahler Second that was one of the greatest musical moments I have ever experienced. And just before Kathy and I moved to North Carolina a performance of Mahler's Sixth with the Vienna Philharmonic at Carneige Hall that just blew the audience away.

The poetry for today is a classic by Longfellow with the hope for peace on earth and good will towards all mankind. A blessed Ninth Day of Christmas to you and yours.

Love One Another - Brian

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
'There is no peace on earth,' I said;
'For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!'