(from the sublime 44 Complete Bach collection by Gould)
It really does all connect when I review the sequence this afternoon. The connective mind being what it is. I was driven to go for a spring walk in the neighborhood at last after the meanest E-Town winter in recent history. Feeling the sides of my legs stiff, limiting my gait more than I’ve noticed of late. Thinking ‘Must take extra-strength Tylenol when I get home’ to see if that will loosen up. (Later it did as I predicted.)
Next at home, thinking about Hawking’s passing again, I pulled out Errol Morris’s beautiful documentary on the science great and watched the two extras: an interview with Morris who was in awe working with Hawking, and the other with his cinematographer who chose to shoot the scenes very uniquely. Again, impressed by Hawking’s genius and his wonderful abstractions.
Turning on Glenn Gould playing vol. 2 of the unexpectedly charming Bach Toccatas as I go to start my wife on the afternoon round of her 12 post-knee surgery exercises. 1-2-3. 1-2-3-4-5, etc. Put the plastic bag around the foot, lift the calf, hold it up, put the small rolled towel, now the big one under ankle or knee as Gould performs, as alive as Hawking still.
Limits and limitations. Of surgeries or an ALS diagnosis in his 20s, which only freed Hawking. Made me think of how limitations led to the insights and epiphanies of what drove one or made one a seeker, as in Gould’s or Hawking’s case.
But always the drive and discipline despite the limits, that one must needs transcend to move ahead, to get to where one wants to go or be. Free to play, walk again, or free to gallivant about the universe in one’s mind, imagination, and soul.
A large design and metaphor which brings out the best in people, especially the Goulds and Hawkings of the world. (And not an ounce of dreaded, phony pc-ness about any of this.)