Hadn't seen this moving footage before. I was just thinking today, when reading about hourly uptick in numbers of dead from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and the consistent effort to find and assist survivors, that all life asserts itself, always, no matter the death-bringing cataclysms life confronts. From the ant societies that start a rebuild in the middle of the thunderstorm that squashed their tiny civilization to the humans that do the same even in the face of directed, or impersonal, destruction. The beauty of us and all life is that we keep on keeping on - create some shelter, find some food, comfort a child, make a joke, tell a story, wreak some vengeance if necessary, sing, write, recite, avoid a dangerous place or person. Not all of us all the time. Everyone knows the feeling of giving up. But it is rare for any individual or community of any life form to give up entirely. We live and live and live. All creatures great and small.
Thank you so much for this post. Meryl Streep as the interpreter of Bertolt Brecht’s words is nothing less than staggering brilliance! I am envious that you saw this in person...twice!
So much gratitude for your own generous, fearless soul and reminder as "swiftly go the days" (recently re-watched after decades the 1971 film "Fiddler on the Roof" with echos of this human will to destroy but also will to survive) there is barely time and in this supercharged political "moment" to revisit other transcendent doers, thinkers: revolutionary in the case of Brecht, and oh yes, Meryl as well....
Thank you. Opened my heart and eyes. I visited his and Wiegel’s house and graves. Now, thanks to you, I will read his last poems. He traveled so far, and my god so did she.
Thank you Patti for this timely message. Today is also the birthday
of my dear departed and beloved friend, Nicholas, who first introduced me to your poetry in 1977 in Brooklyn...and gave me several precious first editions bought from the Strand that I treasure and carry to your concerts as amulets, imagining we might even meet and you’d sign them. (I got close @ Kaatsbaan, but you were whisked away on a golf cart!) Nicholas passed away 5 years ago, and all through this gloriously springlike day I’ve felt the deep ache of loss. To find your post now was like a sacred blessing that lifted my heart and spirits. Another synchronicity - your public debut @ St. Marks February 10, 1971 was Nicholas’ 20th birthday. So I just listened to it, like a salve, in honor of you, Nico and Brecht. .....’to move on, to continue, to remember without remembering...’ xoxo goodnight all.
Stunning
wow - Streep, even in her 'rehearsal' mode was so powerful. wow.
I am always grateful for your art thoughts and tips. They expand my universe! Thank you so much!
He was a big influence on my aesthetic and political views when I was in undergrad. This would be amazing to see.
Hadn't seen this moving footage before. I was just thinking today, when reading about hourly uptick in numbers of dead from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and the consistent effort to find and assist survivors, that all life asserts itself, always, no matter the death-bringing cataclysms life confronts. From the ant societies that start a rebuild in the middle of the thunderstorm that squashed their tiny civilization to the humans that do the same even in the face of directed, or impersonal, destruction. The beauty of us and all life is that we keep on keeping on - create some shelter, find some food, comfort a child, make a joke, tell a story, wreak some vengeance if necessary, sing, write, recite, avoid a dangerous place or person. Not all of us all the time. Everyone knows the feeling of giving up. But it is rare for any individual or community of any life form to give up entirely. We live and live and live. All creatures great and small.
Excruciatingly beautiful. Why? The question with no satisfactory answer, on and on and on. Thank you for the post.
Thank you so much for this post. Meryl Streep as the interpreter of Bertolt Brecht’s words is nothing less than staggering brilliance! I am envious that you saw this in person...twice!
Wonderful performance, wonderful play …thank you for posting - my favourite play when I was studying Drama at Uni!
Meryl Streep is truly amazing in this performance.
Totally amazing! Thank you.
So much gratitude for your own generous, fearless soul and reminder as "swiftly go the days" (recently re-watched after decades the 1971 film "Fiddler on the Roof" with echos of this human will to destroy but also will to survive) there is barely time and in this supercharged political "moment" to revisit other transcendent doers, thinkers: revolutionary in the case of Brecht, and oh yes, Meryl as well....
Thank you. Opened my heart and eyes. I visited his and Wiegel’s house and graves. Now, thanks to you, I will read his last poems. He traveled so far, and my god so did she.
Thank you for sharing this with us Patti.
What great performance from Meryl Streep Had not appreciated before now.
I have the wonderful Lotte Lenya and Teresa Stratas playing this part.
You have this part in you Patti with your amazing artistry and passion.
A fine celebration of Brecht!!
Great acknowledgement. Brecht also wrote fine poetry. Check it out.
I love you pay tribute to do many iconic artists. Brecht is simply fantastic - amazing play writer and author too. Thank you Patti. .
Thank you Patti for this timely message. Today is also the birthday
of my dear departed and beloved friend, Nicholas, who first introduced me to your poetry in 1977 in Brooklyn...and gave me several precious first editions bought from the Strand that I treasure and carry to your concerts as amulets, imagining we might even meet and you’d sign them. (I got close @ Kaatsbaan, but you were whisked away on a golf cart!) Nicholas passed away 5 years ago, and all through this gloriously springlike day I’ve felt the deep ache of loss. To find your post now was like a sacred blessing that lifted my heart and spirits. Another synchronicity - your public debut @ St. Marks February 10, 1971 was Nicholas’ 20th birthday. So I just listened to it, like a salve, in honor of you, Nico and Brecht. .....’to move on, to continue, to remember without remembering...’ xoxo goodnight all.