Welcome Spring! Welcome New Life!

A Gift for Spring Break

I grew up Lutheran and always loved Easter. When I converted to Judaism at age 31, I discovered that I loved Passover too. Both holidays celebrate spring and new life, both have special foods and music, both tell compelling stories about the journey to freedom, and both feature feasts with family. This year, to add to the festivity, Ramadan coincides with Easter and Passover. Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim friends!

Every year since I first sang in Mahler’s Second (“Resurrection”) Symphony at age 20, I have celebrated Easter—and now celebrate Passover—by listening to it. Mahler, a secular Jew, wrote the symphony and some of the words of the choral finale to honor Mother Nature and the renewal of life.

The video that follows, conducted by Mahler’s greatest interpreter, Leonard Bernstein, includes English subtitles for readers who don’t speak German. For me, watching the ecstasy on Bernstein’s face, thinking about the meaning of the words, hearing the power of the music—from the hushed whispers of the choir at the beginning to the jubilant chimes at the end—and remembering the joyous experience of singing together all create a spiritual experience that always brings tears to my eyes.

Substack informs me that my posts usually take about twelve minutes to read. The video below is only eight and a half minutes long, so you can watch it in less time than you would have spent on one of my regular posts. I invite you all to take the time to listen and be transported. Thanks, and see you next week with a regular post.