“With Rilke there is always this sense that the universe was not made for us; rather we are a part of it and subject to greater hierarchies–that celestial realm that he felt we could access by leaning into our pain. Beauty is both turmoil and peace, alluring and alarming–a pregnant emptiness. Creativity. This understanding and continuity is what Rilke adds to the frame of our personal stories. As if to say: “Someone like you has sat in such a chair before and has wondered the same things eons ago. Someone like you will desire and reach in the same way that you have long after you are gone. So pay attention now.”
Musical Selection for this Podcast
- Six Romances by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, interpreted by Lisa Batiashvili, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
- Regina Caeli Laetare from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, interpreted by Jessy Norman and Rosa Laghezza with the Paris Orchestra, Semyon Bychkov, conductor
- Die Nacht by Franz Burgmüller interpreted by Anja Lechner and Pablo Marquez
- 3 Nocturnes for Cello and Guitar: Nocturne No. 1 in A minor
By Franz Burgmüller interpretation by Anja Lechner and Pablo Marquez - Auf Flügeln des Gesanges(On the wings of song) by Felix Mendelssohn interpreted by Mischa Maisky and Sergio Tiempo
- From Schwanengesang (Swan Song) by Franz Schubert: Ständchen in D minor interpreted by Misha Masky Daria Hovora.
- Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major: Air by Johan Sebastian Bach, interpreted by Yoyo ma, Ton Koopman, conductor
- Chants d’Auvergne: Baïlèro by Joseph Canteloube interpreted by Anna Moffo, American Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski, conductor.
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18.2 Adagio Sostenuto by Sergei Rachmaninoff, interpreted by Daniil Trifonov with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
- Vladimir’s Blues by Max Richter
