William Moyer
By William Moyer, 11/22/2003
Oon the 40th anniversary of Nov. 22, 1963, my memory returns to the sense of disconnection I felt in hearing conductor Erich Leinsdorf's onstage announcement to a hushed Boston Symphony audience before the third work on our program that sad Friday afternoon -- news that President John Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas; news so unexpected that all attending and those on stage exhaled one gasp and gripped-closed our eyes in unison. Then, music librarians and stage crew, alerted before, quickly distributed orchestral parts for Marcia funebre from Beethoven's "Eroica," replacing the third work planned.
Could there have been a better choice for the loss we felt, that piece in such a circumstance? Even musicians not needed in that second movement of Symphony No. 3 remained to listen and to wonder silently.
I remember entering the backstage tuning room at intermission and noticed our usually impervious principal cellist, Sammy Mayes, standing silently at the doorway in tears.
I recall that the intermission was brief. We were uncertain whether to continue or not.
Back on stage, Henry Cabot, chairman of our board of trustees, appeared at the podium and addressed our audience, saying those remaining might find comfort and strength in the beauty that music conveys. A few chose to leave. As I think back, most remained, however, to hear a Rachmaninoff concerto performed by pianist Idil Biret, who undoubtedly faced her own problems.
Two months later, Jan. 19, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End, with Cardinal Cushing officiating, Erich Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony members, solo and choral voices from the New England Conservatory, Chorus Pro Musica, Harvard-Radcliffe singing groups, St. John's Seminary Choir, all together, donated their services to Mozart's "Requiem" in loving remembrance of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
This I recall. And how difficult it was to bear and perform.
Death is struck and nature quaking,All creation is awakingWherein all hath been recorded;Thence shall judgment be awarded.-- From Mozart's "Requiem"
William Moyer is a retired musician for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
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