From: bgonzal@math.rutgers.edu (Bil Gonzalez)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: musical finale
Summary: Requiem (longish)
Date: 23 Aug 92 03:16:07 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <CARLTON.92Aug22210029@husc10.harvard.edu>, carlton@husc10.harvard.edu (david carlton) writes:
> the musical offering.
> 
> of course, i'd rather hear it alive, something i still haven't managed
> to do - don't suppose there are enough boston-area motssers out there
> who'd be interested in doing it?
> 

I have found this thread pretty interesting, especially in light of a
project that I started last Christmas.

I had a close family member that was suffering from terminal cancer
(she has since passed away - I love you, Aunt Frances!).  At last
Christmas, while speaking to her on the telephone, I realized that
this would be her last Christmas with us.  It really upset me, and led
to quite a few tears, and many days of feeling helpless.  

I visited her in June.  Her condition got so bad that she was in a
wheelchair, and on oxygen.  She had tickets to see Pavarotti, whom she
was crazy about, on June 26th.  We didn't think that she'd make it.
On June 21 she started to severely dehydrate.  By some miracle, of
sheer will on her part, she held on to life to be able to go to the
concert, and even go backstage (by previous special arrangement) and
meet him.. This was her dying wish.  It really meant a lot to her.
Three days later, she died.  At her funeral, her favorite Pavarotti
tapes were played.  Some felt that this wasn't appropriate, but we
knew that she wouldn't want it any different.  I miss her.

One thing that came out of this, during the usual contemplation about
being mortal, was a decision on my part to let my funeral wishes be
known.  Both of my parents have described their wants.  I, feeling
invincible in my ignorant youth, had never thought much about it.  I
have decided to not only choose the music that I want played, but to
write it as well.  I am composing my own requiem mass.  I want my
friends and family to know when I die, that I feel content and that
I'm not scared.  I want to let them know that I love them, and that
perhaps will see them all again.  I'm not a very religious person in
terms of organized religion, but I do have a strong personal
philosophy.  I have made them promise me that if I die before them,
that my wishes will he honored.

  (Of course there is no way that I can guarantee that they will go
for it when the time comes -- My idea is a *bit* strange - my
requiem features a videotaped solo by myself, as well as other parts
that will be taped in the future, as I get older.  My goal is an
audio-visual extravaganza featuring myself at different stages during
my life - a celebration of my life for the people who knew me and
whom I love.  I would like it staged in a great outdoor theatre, like
the one at Arlington.  Spring would be nice.  Lots of candles, long
satin robes, a three hundred voice choir...Maybe broadcast by
satellite on pay-per-view...)

___________________________________________________________________
Bil Gonzalez
bgonzal@math.rutgers.edu
___________________________________________________________________
"Now I sit with different faces
 in rented rooms in foreign places
All the people I was kissing
 some are here and some are missing, in the 1990's

I never dreamt that I would get to be
 the creature that I always meant to be
But I thought in spite of dreams
 You'd be sitting somewhere here with me..."
					-Pet Shop Boys
					 BEING BORING
___________________________________________________________________
Newsgroups: soc.motss