"The unreal way in which it is beautiful now is the unreal way in which it was always beautiful." Jamaica Kincaid, novelist in 'A Small Place' about her native Antigua.

Post-lunch housework completion, I tuned into various TV channels catching up on the current state of COVID-19. I stopped at DW, the global German TV channel that was screening a 2019 production honouring Bonn's most famous son; the composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). This year marks the 250th birth anniversary of the virtuoso composer. The program had me hooked, moving well into my siesta slot. A pre-Coronoa Virus production (2019), the program is entirely appropriate for today's global malaise. "This movement helps tremendously when I start slipping into depression" is a heart-felt confession from one listener. The focus of the documentary is on the Ninth Symphony (popularly known as 'Ode to Joy') which is celebrated as the most popular piece of classical musical works of all time. It was declared the European Union's (EU) anthem in 1985.

Global musical participation ranging from Bonn and Berlin, to Congo Kinshasa, a favella slum in Rio de Janeiro, a Japanese conductor leading a 10,000 strong choir, a Chinese conductor, a British DJ rendering his 'Beethoven 9 Symphony Remix' and a hearing-impaired young man who takes in musical notes via some form of audio-vibration. Different renditions of the choral symphony were played all over the globe; irrespective of age, border or colour. This inspirational musical homage is truly Beethoven's 'Symphony to the World.' An original introspective approach takes on the impact of movements from deep depths of silent pain to the crescendo of 'Ode to Joy'. For every participant in this collective musical celebration, the emotional impact is intense. Moving is the impaired hearing lover of music who speaks of the vibrations and goose-bumps felt and the tears that well up as one moves into the grand finale 'Ode to Joy'.

An icon in his own lifetime, an achievement escaping many a gifted genius throughout history; the German composer developed hearing loss around his mid 20s. By the age of 44, he was deaf. Beethoven continued to compose most of his greatest works well into his fifties composing the 'Classic of Classics', his choral Ninth Symphony between 1822 and 1824. He died in 1827 at the age of fifty-seven. I am now inspired to read a biography on Ludwig van Beethoven and watch the film 'Immortal Beloved' (1994) starring Gary Oldman who so splendidly portrayed Winston Churchill in the 2017 screening of 'Darkest Hour'. Another example of where the distant past stays relevantly present.

As Covid-19 mercilessly battered Spain, in the Catalonia town square of Sabadell a man started playing 'Ode to Joy' on his solo double bass instrument. Another musician turns up; followed by two, three and more and more accompanied by a guitar, violin, viola, drum, a saxophone. Listeners gather, the young and the old, children perch on their father's shoulders; adults in unison sing the rousing' Ode to Joy' amidst smiles and tears of joy. This was in March 2020.

On Easter Sunday, 12th April 2020 in Milan's city square stands the landmark Duomo di Milano whose construction began in the 14th century. The world's fourth largest cathedral remains a celestial vision of lacework in filigree. We stood awe-struck before it in the summer of 2018. Andrei Bocelli, the visually impaired Tuscany-born tenor only accompanied by an organist mesmerised the globe with his God-given voice in a solo performance of sacred music. Inside an hauntingly empty Duomo, the supremely gifted opera singer sang to the upper reaches of the cathedral. His climatic rendition of 'Amazing Grace' on the outer steps of the architectural wonder that is the Duomo must have reached the doors of heaven. And throughout, not a sole soul of an audience. But for his soaring voice, the city's silence speaking louder than any words.

The Mayor of Milan requested Andrei Bocelli to perform at this spectacular setting during Easter celebrations for a city, a country, a world that was struggling and in mourning because of the Corona Virus that was sweeping the globe. Yet, the cardinal regulation of 'Social Distancing' meant that people are forbidden to congregate. State of the art digital technology came into play and the entire performance was streamed live on Easter Sunday. Nearly 3 million from all over the world logged on to YouTube for his 'Music for Hope' concert. The half-hour live sacred classical music performance hit some 32 million views in less than 24 hours by next night. Initially perceived as a local performance, the event became a global blockbuster, setting on-line records - now musical history. The 'Music for Hope' was received by viewers as a mega international prayer; transcending age, faith, musical taste or nationality. In one review "to become perhaps the signature cultural event of the pandemic." Andrei Bocelli amazingly connected on an emotional level to an inter-continental audience. Not only the astounding number of world viewers but screening comments online, one perceives the multi-sensory impact he invoked in a virtual solo performance.

One of the greatest singers of today, Andrei Bocelli born in 1958 was diagnosed in childhood with glaucoma. At the age of 12 in a football accident, Bocelli became blind. 'Con Te Partiro' launched in 1995 saw Bocelli's musical career take off and there has been no looking back. With the 'Music for Hope' performance in Milan, Andrei Bocelli has attained legendary status in his lifetime. The final lines of 'Amazing Grace' cannot but leave the listener moved to another plane. For, Bocelli sings:

'I once was lost but now am found.

Was blind but now I see...'

Memorable moments to take in at this monumental period.