This is so beautiful. I'm so glad you wrote it. My wish is that more of us who love music would write about music like this -- because ultimately I think it's the emotional and spiritual connection to music that makes all the rest of it matter. And I think it's too easy to lose touch with that, amid all the tech.
PS I wish I knew more about the context of the photos, what it is I'm seeing and why you chose those photos? hint hint... ;-)
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, absolutely: it’s that emotional and spiritual connection to music that drives everything else.
Up until this episode on the plane, I had never paid much attention to that song. In fact, I had forgotten it existed. Crazy how it brought so much, so quickly.
Good point about the photos — thanks for that!
I try not to overload captions because I feel they interrupt the flow, but this is a very good point — most of my readers will have no idea what those buildings are and represent 😂
So very quickly, if I remember the order correctly, here goes:
1. National flag
2. Somewhere in Patagonia, the southern region (probably close to El Calafate but I might be wrong).
3. Downtown Buenos Aires (the capital city, where I’m from).
4. Pink House (like your White House) in the background; front and centre the circle where the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo used to demonstrate as their children were abducted.
5. Columns: Law School of the University of Buenos Aires, where I got my degree in Legal Translation.
6. White building: Cabildo (a historical monument, where the first local government was formed, which then culminated in the country’s independence from Spain). If you look closely, bottom right, you’ll see a white headscarf painted on a stone: this is the symbol of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, as they used to wear white headscarves (to hide from the military, as it was illegal to demonstrate during the dictatorship).
Thank you for doing that and yeah, I know what you meant about the captions. That last one is particularly moving -- I'm reminded of the people of Ukraine.
PS I wonder if one can footnote a caption? if so, one could put a footnote and substack's function of being able to hover over it to see it without scrolling down, if one chooses to, might work nicely... I may experiment a bit.🤔
Thanks for this lovely piece Andres, it touched me deeply. Echoing Faith’s point, I love reading about those emotional and spiritual connections that drive people’s passion for the music they love. It never ceases to amaze me, the power of music to reach deep inside and shake us up emotionally, almost a visceral response at times, and with a ferocity that can overwhelm with its intensity
Thank you so much, Brad. This means the world to me. Thank you, and thank you also for being my confidante when I was overtaken by the emotion of it all and could barely put it into words.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story, Andrés! You brought tears to my eyes.
It’s funny, perhaps - for me as the husband of an Argentinian - that I find Buenos Aires as a city fueled by nostalgia. I think I’ve mentioned this before but I feel like it’s something inherent in the culture. I hear certain tangos or Argentinian songs (like Yupanqui) and I feel as if it’s something from my own past, although I’ve only borrowed it. Weird.
In any case, thank you so much for this piece; it’s really something special. Also, your baby pictures are adorable.
Thank you so much, Andrew, for your very kind words. I can totally imagine how weird this nostalgia thing you mention must feel. I think nostalgia is embedded into the culture — there must be something in the air, or in the water, but it’s everywhere, especially the streets of Buenos Aires.
And in your case, as the husband of an Argentinian, it probably feels like something weirdly homely. Every person is different, of course, but I see it a little bit in my husband as well: something in his eyes when my friends and family give him a hug and make him feel welcome. I think it’s beautiful, and I’m glad to hear that, even for someone who wasn’t born there but has strong links, some elements of the culture can resonate so much.
The collective unconscious is a concept examined by Theillard De Chardin in "The Phenomenon of Man" published in 1955. He proposes it is part of a greater evolution of mankind's psychic element that must have been present in elemental form from the time when complex compounds found themselves becoming living entities. The concept offers a spectrum of possibilities.
This is so beautiful. I'm so glad you wrote it. My wish is that more of us who love music would write about music like this -- because ultimately I think it's the emotional and spiritual connection to music that makes all the rest of it matter. And I think it's too easy to lose touch with that, amid all the tech.
PS I wish I knew more about the context of the photos, what it is I'm seeing and why you chose those photos? hint hint... ;-)
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, absolutely: it’s that emotional and spiritual connection to music that drives everything else.
Up until this episode on the plane, I had never paid much attention to that song. In fact, I had forgotten it existed. Crazy how it brought so much, so quickly.
Good point about the photos — thanks for that!
I try not to overload captions because I feel they interrupt the flow, but this is a very good point — most of my readers will have no idea what those buildings are and represent 😂
So very quickly, if I remember the order correctly, here goes:
1. National flag
2. Somewhere in Patagonia, the southern region (probably close to El Calafate but I might be wrong).
3. Downtown Buenos Aires (the capital city, where I’m from).
4. Pink House (like your White House) in the background; front and centre the circle where the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo used to demonstrate as their children were abducted.
5. Columns: Law School of the University of Buenos Aires, where I got my degree in Legal Translation.
6. White building: Cabildo (a historical monument, where the first local government was formed, which then culminated in the country’s independence from Spain). If you look closely, bottom right, you’ll see a white headscarf painted on a stone: this is the symbol of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, as they used to wear white headscarves (to hide from the military, as it was illegal to demonstrate during the dictatorship).
Thank you for doing that and yeah, I know what you meant about the captions. That last one is particularly moving -- I'm reminded of the people of Ukraine.
PS I wonder if one can footnote a caption? if so, one could put a footnote and substack's function of being able to hover over it to see it without scrolling down, if one chooses to, might work nicely... I may experiment a bit.🤔
such a good point about Ukraine. And not sure about footnotes but it would be a nice feature to have!
Very well written.
Thank you, Bob! I really appreciate it
Thanks for this lovely piece Andres, it touched me deeply. Echoing Faith’s point, I love reading about those emotional and spiritual connections that drive people’s passion for the music they love. It never ceases to amaze me, the power of music to reach deep inside and shake us up emotionally, almost a visceral response at times, and with a ferocity that can overwhelm with its intensity
Thank you, Mark, for your very kind words. Really appreciated. The power of music is definitely one of a kind!
So well done, Andy. Color me proud of you! Steppin' up and steppin' out....like your 2-year-old self! Your readers' reactions say it all!
Thank you so much, Brad. This means the world to me. Thank you, and thank you also for being my confidante when I was overtaken by the emotion of it all and could barely put it into words.
I knew if you could (put it into words), you'd have a transcendent account, and you'd feel good having done it!😉🎶
Gracias, amigo!
🤗🙏
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story, Andrés! You brought tears to my eyes.
It’s funny, perhaps - for me as the husband of an Argentinian - that I find Buenos Aires as a city fueled by nostalgia. I think I’ve mentioned this before but I feel like it’s something inherent in the culture. I hear certain tangos or Argentinian songs (like Yupanqui) and I feel as if it’s something from my own past, although I’ve only borrowed it. Weird.
In any case, thank you so much for this piece; it’s really something special. Also, your baby pictures are adorable.
Andrew
Thank you so much, Andrew, for your very kind words. I can totally imagine how weird this nostalgia thing you mention must feel. I think nostalgia is embedded into the culture — there must be something in the air, or in the water, but it’s everywhere, especially the streets of Buenos Aires.
And in your case, as the husband of an Argentinian, it probably feels like something weirdly homely. Every person is different, of course, but I see it a little bit in my husband as well: something in his eyes when my friends and family give him a hug and make him feel welcome. I think it’s beautiful, and I’m glad to hear that, even for someone who wasn’t born there but has strong links, some elements of the culture can resonate so much.
Thank you for sharing!! Abrazo
Hermoso y emocionante... gracias por compartirlo. Te quiero mucho!
Me alegra mucho que te haya gustado!! Te quiero mucho!!
The collective unconscious is a concept examined by Theillard De Chardin in "The Phenomenon of Man" published in 1955. He proposes it is part of a greater evolution of mankind's psychic element that must have been present in elemental form from the time when complex compounds found themselves becoming living entities. The concept offers a spectrum of possibilities.