When I was a teenager I was a great orchestral conductor. I
gave many concerts of all the notable Russian composers: Tchaikovsky, Rimsky
Korsakov, Stravinsky; but my favourite was Prokofiev, particularly his lively
and cheeky Classical Symphony, a wonderful parody on Joseph Hayden. I knew the
score inside out; or at least I knew how to wave my arms about and exactly
where to bring in the woodwinds and the cellos. I had conducted this work many
times in the lounge room when my parents were out, accompanied by three large
78 records going full tit. The applause was overwhelming. I took many bows, not
forgetting to acknowledge the members of the orchestra.
In my later years I have gone off most classical music –
except for some old favourites. I’ve definitely given up the baton, perhaps
because I now have more of my own identity; I don’t have to steal one as I did
back then when I was less than nobody. It was so much better to be someone
else.
Is it a question of growing up, of absorbing role models? Do
we target someone who we will later emulate? No, I think one steals celebrity,
of being someone who is the centre of
adulation. Its about being adored. We ardently imagine what it must be like to
be that loved. The actor, singer or star knows this and pretends to live up to
our image, wearing fabulous clothes and sporting a fabulous partner. The more
adulation they get, the more they get.
We don’t envy them simply because we identify with them. Every little girl at the roadside
of the Royal Tour is Princess Kate with her Prince William – and not less the
ecstatic ladies who wait with her, trembling with excitement.
We underestimate the power of the imagination, how it can
transform who we are. Naturally, no one walks around declaring that they are
Princess Kate. Stealing someone is much more subtle than that. It’s secret.
It’s stored away in the hidden places of the heart, but it can transform the
feeling of the day.
contact: stanrich@vodafone.co.nz
(03) 981 2264
contact: stanrich@vodafone.co.nz
(03) 981 2264
No comments:
Post a Comment