Gabriel’s Cello
The other day Erin and I were strolling through the Austin Barton Creek mall and happened across the Apple Store. We went inside to look at all the shiny and expensive things and I tried on a pair of Bose headphones. I cued the attached iPod up to the first of its demo tracks and was floored to hear Yo Yo Ma performing “Gabriel’s Oboe” by Ennio Morricone. “Gabriel’s Oboe” is one of my favorite pieces of music in the entire world, and to hear it done by a cello master like Ma was a rapturous experience. I stood there in the middle of the Apple store with tears in my eyes. I’m sure Bose and Apple’s music programmer would be happy.
The next day I logged in to the iTunes Music Store intending to download the song. It turns out that Ma and Morricone collaborated on a CD of Morricone’s music. I almost broke my mouse button mashing the “buy album” option. It’s been 24 hours and I haven’t stopped listening to this beautiful, transcendent, heartbreaking set of recordings. It’s playing as I type this.
If you get a chance, listen to “Gabriel’s Oboe” on the iTMS, or on Amazon’s site. Also, don’t miss “Deborah’s Theme”. Don’t be surprised to find yourself .99 poorer, but richer nonetheless.
This… this, is why I’m a musician.