[标准VOA] 钢琴家市长(2)[080813]
He has performed as far away as China, where he has used music to raise money for causes such as the Red Cross. Now, Damisch has taken on the role of musical ambassador in the conflict-torn Middle East.
"It's more important, I think, for artists to go over there and perform now than maybe at any time in the history of the world."
Damisch chose Beethoven's Appassionato Sonata for a reason. "Everything about the Middle East is passion. It's my land. It's your land. It's my home. It's your home -- my religion, your religion and the Appassionato Sonata is all about Beethoven's passion at a time when he realized he was about to lose his hearing."
Damisch admits that there is only so much a musician can do to encourage peace. He says he hopes that by traveling to places not often visited by artists, he can in some small way draw attention to the issues at stake.
"The point is to go and play in places where they need people to reach out and to reach across the divide."
