A Funeral in Switzerland

A Funeral in witzerland

By Reza Ganjavi

I met the family on the train a few years ago:

"Dear Reza, One day quite some time ago (it might have been in March…) we (my wife Claudia, three children and I) met you in the x Railways train between x, y. You played the guitar, and we got into talking about music and California. Recently you sent us your first CD, which we enjoyed very much. I hope it has been a success and you will bring out another sometime! The reason for my writing right now is that my mother died last night and I am organizing the funeral. To this purpose, I am looking for a musician who could play three to five not too long pieces of music during the memorial service. It would not be a concert but the music should give a somewhat festive and contemplative frame to the memorial service. Claudia and I thought of you and are wondering whether you would like to do this and are free this coming Tuesday... Dieter I."

A group of family and friends gathered in the cemetery on a warm sunny day. A young tall blind priest spoke. Then I played a piece (Sanz: Pavanas) while they put the ashes in a small hole in the ground and each person went up and put a flower in the hole. It was interesting to synchronize the music with their tempo and temperament - and it worked out perfect. In the small chapel I played music as people entered. Having played in the sun had put the guitar out of tune which took a minute to fix. The priest was an affectionate, sincere man and spoke good English. He read the deceased's curriculum vitae and then I played - and we went back and forth between music and prayer, sermon, etc. Coordinating with him was also interesting and it worked out well. She had a lot of ups and downs and more downs than ups - which is the story of humanity: anxiety... During the prayers, there was a strong feeling of holiness in the room which was touching and gave one goose-bumps. The mere calling of the other is holy. Afterwards, the gentleman bought a box of CD's for the participants. "She didn't like organs. The guitar is so soothing..." After the funeral several complements came from the organizers and their guests. The young blind priest said: "thank you for the music and the touching sound".

The family all play music: father: viola, mother: violin (they are scientists), and the 3 kinds play one or more of flute, violin, piano. That's Switzerland for you.

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Annemarie said she played in a funeral -- the person was not a church goer so they did not want an organ so they paid movers to move Annemarie’s piano and she played violin and her pianist friend with whom they've been performing for 30 years performed Brahms etc.