Invitation to the evening concert

Mr Masur: Your background musically is in which direction? Of course, religious songs.

Sri Chinmoy: My background is universal oneness, oneness. Our songs are all devotional and spiritual songs. We feel it is through our devotion to God that we can bring forward all our good qualities, accept the world and be good citizens of the world. By singing soulful songs we can bring forward our own good qualities. Of course, there are all kinds of music. Some music destroys the few good qualities that we have.

Mr Masur: Yes, yes, I agree with you absolutely! What are you doing tonight?

Sri Chinmoy: I am free, as far as I know.

Mr Masur: [To his assistant] Catherine, could you find out if we would have enough tickets to invite them all for tonight. [To Sri Chinmoy] It is my last concert. You have just spoken about my approach to Mozart. At the end we are doing the Reger Mozart Variations. It’s from the theme of the A Major Piano Sonata; everybody knows the theme, of course.

[Sri Chinmoy presents Mr Masur with a plaque.]

Mr Masur: Thank you. This is so beautiful. Did you make this?

Sri Chinmoy: My students made it. They love me, and they try to work together with me. I compose songs, and they bring forward their good qualities in this way. It is all oneness. We try to manifest our oneness.

Mr Masur: I should be sad that I was born so early. Otherwise, I would attend your meetings.

Sri Chinmoy: In your heart you are as young as they are.

Mr Masur: You are right, absolutely right. That’s wonderful; thank you very much. I will keep this gift here, in Lincoln Center. It will remind me always of you and your group and this wonderful morning which you have given me. Thank you very much.