11/22/2022
Well, I have a story to tell about Jim and I. I have played the oboe and English horn for the Lexington Community Orchestra (LCO) since around 1990/91. When we were first married, one of the first orchestra concerts Jim attended in 1999 was where we played Dvorak Symphony #9, The New World. I, of course, played the second oboe part which uses the oboe and the English horn. If you are familiar with this piece, the 2nd movement has the most beautiful melody I've ever heard.
Some history - One of Dvorak's students, William Arms Fisher, put words to the longing melody from the second movement. He called the new song, "Goin' Home," and had it published 1922.
Here are the lyrics:
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew
I'm going home
Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home
Going home, going home
[Repeat]
___________
Jim loved the piece and we spoke of it quite fondly every now and then. I lost my grandmother, Nana (Laura Bell Sullivan) that same year and I dedicated that performance to her... When I was picking out Jim's coffin, I was clueless. Who thinks about doing that? Then I just happened by a baby blue metalic one with chrome bumpers. Reminded me of the 1965 beetle I bought him as a gift years before. He would tell me the beetle is his grand piano. So, as I was checking it out I looked at its name; Going Home. I about fell over. I said, "that's it".
So, I'll try and end this long story, I've been very ill with a life threatening illness for over a year now. LCO started up it's season this fall and I got permission from my doctor to play for this falls concert, December 4th, 3 PM at Bryan Station High School. Free admission. My doctor said he going to come.
Guess what we're playing? Dvorak's New World Symphony. Guess who's playing the english horn solo? 🤪 Yours truly. This really means the world to me.
Here's a link to just that movement.
Antonin Dvořák, Symohony No. 9 in E minor op. 95 "From The New World", 2nd movment, Largo, with the Münchner Philharmoniker conducted by Sergiu Celibidache,...
