HThe eye of heaven looks down on the tomb of Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), the first violin virtuoso and teacher of Antonio Vivaldi. The “eye” is a hole at the apex of the Pantheon’s dome. The place of internment honors the great Baroque musician and composer. His tomb intensifies the significance of the place.
The Pantheon is an architectural “wonder” because of its coffered roof. That arcing ceiling is the largest unreinforced cement dome ever built, and it has been a durable structure. The building’s present form is a third-generation Pantheon. The first two were partly destroyed, but this third building is approaching its 2,000th birthday. The entombed Corelli was not as physically durable as his resting place, but he left a monument in his music, the sounds of which can still be heard both directly and indirectly through his famous pupil’s music.
Which of these wonders is a place? The Pantheon stands still, rigid and strong. Corelli’s influence is a shifting monument. One has to go to the Pantheon to touch it. Corelli’s monument reaches out to touch us through electronic media and in concert halls. Close your eyes. Vivaldi is on the radio. Vivaldi is on movie soundtracks. Corelli’s influence is ubiquitous throughout our world.
What about your personal Pantheon? Is it just the place where you are? Is your influence entombed in your house? My guess is that, although probably not as widespread as Corelli’s musical edifice, you have extended what you are through those who, like tourists visiting the Pantheon, have come to see the wonder that you are. You are the person who picked up a dropped package and handed it to the owner, and where you did that the eye of heaven now looks down through the memory of a kindness. The dome over you extends over all your acquaintances and over all your acts of kindness. You are a durable edifice in your actions and words, possibly even in your musical rendition of a nursery rhyme you sang to a happy child. Yes, my guess is that the eye of heaven looks over you. You intensify the significance of every place.
The Pantheon is an architectural “wonder” because of its coffered roof. That arcing ceiling is the largest unreinforced cement dome ever built, and it has been a durable structure. The building’s present form is a third-generation Pantheon. The first two were partly destroyed, but this third building is approaching its 2,000th birthday. The entombed Corelli was not as physically durable as his resting place, but he left a monument in his music, the sounds of which can still be heard both directly and indirectly through his famous pupil’s music.
Which of these wonders is a place? The Pantheon stands still, rigid and strong. Corelli’s influence is a shifting monument. One has to go to the Pantheon to touch it. Corelli’s monument reaches out to touch us through electronic media and in concert halls. Close your eyes. Vivaldi is on the radio. Vivaldi is on movie soundtracks. Corelli’s influence is ubiquitous throughout our world.
What about your personal Pantheon? Is it just the place where you are? Is your influence entombed in your house? My guess is that, although probably not as widespread as Corelli’s musical edifice, you have extended what you are through those who, like tourists visiting the Pantheon, have come to see the wonder that you are. You are the person who picked up a dropped package and handed it to the owner, and where you did that the eye of heaven now looks down through the memory of a kindness. The dome over you extends over all your acquaintances and over all your acts of kindness. You are a durable edifice in your actions and words, possibly even in your musical rendition of a nursery rhyme you sang to a happy child. Yes, my guess is that the eye of heaven looks over you. You intensify the significance of every place.
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