Bravo!

When Chris and I were dating, he took me to my first symphony. From that moment, I fell in love with all of it. I love Cincinnati Music Hall – such a beautiful setting, I love learning about the different composers and finding my favorite, and I love getting dressed up and enjoying this special date night. In the past eight years, we have attended countless CSO performances and have become subscribing members. This means we get to see thirteen shows a year. It has become my favorite date night activity, and we have shared so many memories.

Last night we went to OTR and enjoyed dinner before the show. (The Eagle has the BEST fried chicken – ever -sorry Grandma). The show last night was Rachmaninoff’s Concerto 3. I have learned over the past few years the style that I love the most, and I am drawn to Russian composers. Rachmaninoff is my absolute favorite – but I had never heard this particular concerto. Wow. It was the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard. It literally brought me to tears. I was entranced and got lost in the music.

But the best part of the night, by far, had more to do with the man sitting next to us way up in the Gallery level of Music Hall. As we took our seats, I couldn’t help but notice the cutest little old man right next to us, holding a binder of music! He was looking through the pages and pages of the pieces that we would be hearing in the show. He spoke to Chris about his excitement over hearing the Aaron Copland piece that he had never heard live before. As we waited for the conductor to come on stage, the man was on the edge of his seat – literally sitting on the edge leaning over watching with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. I could not stop watching him throughout the first piece of music. His smile was ear to ear and grew even bigger with each rising note. At the end of the first piece, “subito con forza” by Unsuk Chin, the man jumped to his feet and clapped with endless energy. He repeatedly yelled “Bravo” and cheered hard for all of the musicians. As the program continued, his excitement and praise for the musicians and conductor grew by leaps and bounds. I wasn’t sure he would even be able to remain in his seat as he listened to Copland’s Symphony No. 3. And he barely did. As the composition came to a thunderous conclusion, my new friend was once again instantly on his feet yelling “Bravo” and even “Amen.” Not just a couple times. I mean for the twenty minute standing ovation. He clapped. He smiled. He yelled. He was joyful. Pure joy. As much as I loved listening to the CSO’s flawless performance of my favorite composer, it didn’t compare to the joy I got from watching this man find so much joy and excitement from this evening. There is a lesson in here for all of us. Find the joy. Truly take in the good there is in this world. Don’t be afraid to share your joy. Get excited! I wish this man knew how much joy I got from watching his joy! I wish I could tell him thank you for the unexpected lessons I walked away with. I hope to carry the memory of this beautiful evening with me for a long time as a reminder to find the joy in all things. And to share that joy.