It seems we are being asked to gradually adapt to the prospect of a “protected” and “sanitised” society — but without concerts, without music. In other words, without life.
It is truly difficult to predict how the world will change in the coming months or years, and even more so to imagine how the world of music will evolve. What is certain is that, at this moment, the issue of health — and with it medical science — has taken precedence over every other aspect of our lives.
For various reasons, this virus has made concern for collective health more important than any other domain: work, civil rights, freedom, the economy, human contact and, inevitably, also art and culture.
As musicians, we now find ourselves at a standstill — blocked and disoriented. Yet we also have an opportunity (and perhaps even a moral responsibility) to rethink the fundamental values of what it means to make music.
We need to reclaim a different concept of health — a broader one — based not only on medical, diagnostic and pharmacological principles, but also, and above all, on human, cultural and spiritual values.
A form of health grounded in the recognition, respect and promotion of our deepest human values: sharing, beauty and meaning.
A form of health that is founded on redefining quality of life, rather than solely on fighting disease or living in fear of death.
Many great musicians of the past suffered from serious health problems and did not live long lives. Today the world is different and medicine has made enormous progress, yet our most fundamental need remains the same.
We do not need to deceive ourselves into believing we are immortal. What we truly need is to give meaning, purpose and value to our lives.
Being creative, appreciating beauty and sharing it with others — this, too, is health.
Art and music have the power, if we choose to recognise it, to foster the rebirth of a new and contemporary humanism — a rediscovery of who we truly are and who we can become.
We only need to awaken our vision, our intuition and our courage.
Federica Righini & Riccardo Zadra
