Ludwig's Fifth

Robert Anton Wilson, well known to the better informed reader of contemporary novels for his comic works centered on the themes taken from modern physics (e.g. Schrodinger's Cat), has many interesting observations to make about the aspects of human experience. For example, he had this to say about Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, "One of the most complete artistic and emotional expressions of the human condition that I know of."

I had read Dr. Wilson's Illuminatus Trilogy just after my first wife left me. The wisdom and humor written upon the pages of those three volumes helped me get through a tricky time. So, having read what he said about the Glorious Fifth I went out and bought a copy, which I listened to for over 10 years, trying to discover what he meant. But it wasn't until a live performance by the Nusantara Chamber Orchestra (NCO) on Oct. 17, 1994, in Jakarta, that I began to get close to what Dr. Wilson was hinting at.

About half way through the second movement my eyes moistened and the golden ceiling of the concert hall began to undulate like the surface of the ocean or like a great crowd of people walking about with their umbrellas up. Golden umbrellas. By the end of the performance I was filled with a sense of peace, but that didn't stop me from clapping the musicians until my hands were red.

I've been listening to the NCO for over a year now but I've never heard them in such good stride as when they played Ludwig's Fifth the other night. Congratulations and thanks to the NCO for an uplifting evening. And one more thing: any chance of playing more frequently?

NARISH STOCK

Jakarta