Condi Rice, NY Philharmonic Perform in Pyongyang
People have said that this week’s NY Philharmonic performance in Pyongyang, North Korea was a sort of modern day Ping-Pong diplomacy. Yet, what you may not have heard about the recent concert was that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was the group’s pianist.
Secretary Rice is widely known to be a world-class, classically-trained pianist. What you may not realize, is that Ms. Rice was a mere hour plane ride away from the glorious North Korean capital, frequently referred to as “the Gray Zone” or “Depressing Plaza,” just hours before the concert began. And when everyone was seated, the Cold War expert was quietly seated in front of a Steinway. That’s right, Rice’s meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was, in reality, a giant ruse to let her live her dream of lighting up the Pyongyang music scene.
As Chief Conductor Lorin Maazel said, there was a “mission accomplished here, we may have been instrumental in opening a little door here.”
A door back in time to a young girl’s dream, once thought lost to the realities of adulthood. Thank you Kim Jong Il. And Secretary Rice thanks you as well.
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Edvard Grieg responds:
Posted: February 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am →
Only would make sense. I guess all madam Sec of States fall for ‘The Glorious Leader’. Albright carried out her dream of waltzing with pugsly, now Condi wants her shot. I hope the next admin picks a man to head the State Department. Of course, maybe her dream wasn’t to see the leader, but to catch a glimpse of the amazing Ryugyong Hotel (http://tinyurl.com/2v9pbp).
btw: It took me a few minutes to see what you filed this under; no coffee…
Bobby responds:
Posted: February 28th, 2008 at 5:43 pm →
Condi’s single right? Wouldn’t she make a great date for The Dear Leader. She’s like 5′7″ with normal hair. He’s 5′ even with platform shoes and bizarre spikes on his head. She likes fine wine and diplomacy. He likes taking young girls from their homes and deflowering them.
Match made in heaven.