A Country With No Music? It Has Happened . . .

No music in an entire country?

It has happened.

Under the Taliban in Afghanistan, a mother could be imprisoned for singing lullabies to her baby. There was no music, no art, no poetry.

How did the arts survive?

A more basic question is 'How did the people of the country survive?' What would life be like in a land with no art, no music, no literature?

Andrew Soloman, who writes for The New York Times and others, went to Afghanistan to find out. He told the story recently on NPR's story-telling program, The Moth. It is riveting and is an utterly engrossing, frightening, and illuminating story.

While the audio file for his story may no longer be available on The Moth's site, it's worth checking because this is a story you'll want to hear.

And, if you can't find it there, here is a good summary from Sergio Gonzales' blog. It's an amazing story.

Life without music would be like life without food or air, wouldn't it?

Christmas CD Sale Till New Years Day

Every year we have a sale on my sixteen solo piano CDs, and we're doing the same this year. It's an easy 'buy four, get one free' sale, and Priority shipping (in the US) is free, too.

Over the years, we've sold thousands of CDs for gifts during the Christmas season, and many people tell us that they do much of their shopping on our website, so it's easy and quick.

During a year when people are watching their pennies, and looking for lasting value, we know that music is a perfect gift. It lasts forever, and the power of association is so strong that the recipient will think of you each time the CD is played.


(I don't normally use this blog for any commercial purpose, but the sale is a good deal and it makes sense to share the news.) And, of course, the CDs are widely available online and at download sites . . . but the sale is only at our own website.