Concert in The Spanish Synagogue, Prague

Art is a far better way of imposing social order than war.

There are musicians--Little Walter and Thelonious Monk for instance--who sound like whole orchestras's unto themselves. It can't have been easy to be either of them, but both make it sound as if what we're hearing is meant to be and for our listening pleasure, substantiating our belief in ourselves and in things outside ourselves.

When I listen to music it is as if I'm being led to my true home. Not that everything 's harmonious there, it's not, but the supposition is that I belong there and am meant to live among other creatures who belong also and live in their own true homes.

The concert in The Spanish Synagogue features three violins, a cello, and a bass viola. A blond woman comes forward from time to time to sing; it's obvious she's pregnant. There's no electronic amplification, yet the sound of the music is clear to each one of us.