For the Netherlands


July 23rd is a day of mourning in the Netherlands for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 tragedy. My wife and I were particularly moved by this tragedy as our flight from Delhi to London a few days later was rerouted away from Ukrainian airspace - the photo was taken by me at Shey Tibetan Buddhist monastery in India. As a tribute to the victims of all nationalities I offer a link to a recording of the Dutch composer Lex van Delden's 1981 Musica di Catasto. Lex van Delden (1919-88) knew tragedy himself as a Jew in the Nazi occupied Netherlands. His music was championed by Bernard Haitink, Eugum Jochum and George Szell but, quite preposterously, remains unknown in an age of 24/7 Mahler. There is an illuminating interview with Lex van Delden's son here, and more on him in Contemporary composer's Dutch courage.

Also on Facebook and Twitter. Photo is (c) On An Overgrown Path 2014.

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