My First Artistic WOW

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was just eight years old, in second grade. Even though it was already twelve years after the war ended, my home city, Wrocław in Poland, was still in ruins. 

My school arranged a trip to the theater for a musical performance. Because in the midst of all this destruction, our city had a philharmonic orchestra. I remember how we walked as a group, in pairs, through the city. Most of the buildings were destroyed by the Germans when they were retreating at the end of the war. As they were leaving, they had set up massive explosions. No building was left intact. They even built an airport in the middle of the city, but it was too late for them. So they devastated the city for nothing because no plane ever took off from there.

For us, kids, that trip was just another school event. Nothing exciting for sure. We were not interested in serious music. The only thing that was exciting, was that we were skipping the classes that day.  After the orchestra started to play, kids in the audience were not  listening. Nobody around me paid any attention to the music. We were chatting, laughing, and playing Battleship.

But suddenly, something magical happened. The orchestra started to play a new piece. It began quietly and slowly, with a simple drumbeat.  And somehow it captured my attention. The gentle melody slowly grew in volume and tempo, as if it were pleading with me to really listen.

And so, I did.

I don’t remember about the other kids, but from the very first few notes, I was mesmerized. That day, I fell in love with Ravel’s Bolero, and my love for that beautiful composition continues to this day.

As I grew older, I became interested in classical music. Of course, I discovered other incredible pieces. I’ve attended many performances over the years. But nothing compares to that first moment of hearing Bolero. I am sure I listened to it hundreds of times. Thanks to YouTube we can watch now so many different amazing versions. I love them all. I think it is somehow very sexual – with the slow buildup, climax, and the release at the end.

After all those years Bolero still feels for me as fresh and miraculous as it was during that first Philharmonic concert in my life. My first artistic Wow moment.