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Musical Discussions
Topic: The NY Philharmonic in North Korea

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Posted by Romy the Cat on 02-28-2008

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=38235288

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19346628

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19357328

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/nyphil/index.html

Posted by Romy the Cat on 02-29-2008

I was watching the program and it was as disgusting as I could theoretically imagine. The New York Philharmonic was quite fine; in fact the Dvorak’s “New Word” they played was remarkably good. There were some slippages in the play, in the end of the first movement for instance, but generally it was very good Dvorak’s 9 and the rest program was OK.

The presentation how it was broadcasted in US’s TV was disgusting however. It was a long film of propaganda describing how horrible North Korea was and how US is much better then North Korea. I felt that I live again in the Brezhnev’s Russian or in the equally Moronic from point of view propaganda Regan’s US. Those stupid political commentaries were so out of place with New York Philharmonic appearance in North Korea that felt very much shamed for my country that did it. Thanks god the NY Philharmonic musicians, their musical director and the concert listeners behaved much nobler then my government.

Rgs, Romy the caT

Posted by Paul S on 02-29-2008
I did not see the affair but listened on my car radio.  I liked the enthusiasm of the playing  a lot and the very appreciative audience that, I think, got more out of the orchestra.

It certainly seemed like the musicians felt real compassion and "connectedness" with the North Koreans, based on remarks after the concert.  Ironic, perhaps, that the people in the audience were likely to have been the "best and brightest" the Koreans could muster for the occasion.

I wonder what US-snubbed, impoverished North Korea spends per capita on the arts?  I think US is somewhere around 123rd of nations.  Do I remember that US is behind Cuba in arts, literacy and infant mortality?

Who can guess why another country would race for nukes when US is already taking care of things like that?

Best regards,
Paul S

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