America’s Prestigious Orchestra Serenades An “Axis of Evil”

While Ms Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, interacted with the Chinese leaders about the nuclear disarmament in North Korea, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra held a historic concert in the heart of North Korea — a nation still considered as an enemy by the US. The East Pyongyang Grand Theatre echoed with the strains of North Korean national anthem ‘Patriotic Song’, and followed by America’s ‘Star Spangled Banner” The concert was beamed live on the North Korean television.

The visit entailed the largest US presence in the reclusive state since the end of the Korean war, says the BBC. “The audience – made up of North Korea’s elite, as well as musicians and foreign guests – stood throughout both anthems, while the countries’ flags were displayed on the stage.

“Conductor Lorin Maazel said he and his colleagues were ‘pleased to play in this fine hall’ and told the audience in Korean to ‘have a good time’. The orchestra then played an opera prelude by Wagner followed by Dvorak’s Symphony Number Nine – known as the New World Symphony – and George Gershwin’s An American in Paris. The orchestra finished by playing the much-loved Korean folk song Arirang, and received a lengthy standing ovation.

“Mr Maazel told the audience that there might one day be a piece called An American in Pyongyang…”

Ms Rice, herself a classical pianist, struck a discordant note in China: “I don’t think we should get carried away with what listening to Dvorak is going to do in North Korea.” Well, if music diplomacy is not your cuppa tea then the other option is to start cleaning your guns!!! In any case the invitation to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was extended by North Korea…and that certainly is a diplomatic triumph for a nation steeped in poverty and remains a closed society.