(Editorial) “Love in the Key”, by Delia Balland

Some initially thought he was drunk. The speech difficulties that suddenly appeared three years ago in a wonderful friend were, unfortunately, the first manifestation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Charcot disease. Gifted for music, drummer switched to guitar, Clément was an amateur member of several groups. In the early stages of his illness, his hands still responding to him, he gathered his loved ones together every week with generous friends who opened their homes to him on Saturdays. Those who had the talent – ​​guitarists, saxophonists, singers – performed jazz standards and ballads, some drew, others conversed, listened. We all warmed our hearts. Clément left at the start of this spring. Music continues to unite those who love it, in Charente-Maritime where he settled and elsewhere. Last weekend, a gentle whirlwind of notes and words gathered them around him once again.

To evoke this joy of music, we will allow ourselves to borrow from Victor Hugo what he wrote about maternal love: “Everyone has their share and everyone has it in its entirety! » Provided that we feel concerned, touched, and that we can be. It was because her father passionately loved music that conductor Zahia Ziouani, a granddaughter from Seine-Saint-Denis, was able to say to herself while listening to Mozart and Beethoven: “These tunes were written for me. » It’s because the “Chopin in the Garden” event offers a free recital every Sunday in June under the kiosk in Montsouris Park, in Paris, for young and old to share a moment of pure emotion with the birds and the wind.

From now on, musicians and listeners are moving forward with the Fête de la Musique, on June 21, in public spaces. Whatever the musical register, the repertoire performed and the type of training, concerts with a simple system offer moments of unity. We have a great need for it. To respond to this very contemporary aspiration, the Bayard group, publisher of Pilgrim, has just created a brand new festival with the Girard Quartet. And you, this week, to what music will you turn the wheels of your hearts?