There is a wonderful winery not far from where I live. It is called, Raffaldini Vineyards. It is located in the Yadkin Valley, within the Swan Creek appellation. Set before the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is simply stunning. Imagining one might be in Tuscany is not difficult, as the rows of grapevines roll on hillsides surrounding a tasting room that is quite reminiscent of an Italian villa.
Raffaldini engages its family of wine connoisseurs with a bountiful agenda of activities throughout the year. Valentine’s Day is especially exciting as wine is paired with a topic akin to this special day of romance. This year it was Italian classical music. Who better to discuss such a topic than the General Manger of radio station WDAV 89.9FM, Frank Dominguez?
The room was near capacity. It was an interesting mixture of wine aficionados, classical music enthusiasts, and lovebirds. In one short hour, Mr. Dominguez took us through the history of Italian classical music. The presentation was a mixture of dialogue and musical excerpts, shared from his laptop computer. Within minutes, the audience was captivated. As I looked around the room, I could see toes tapping to rhythms, heads nodding approval, and wine glasses turning.
Mr. Dominguez’s outline was perfect. “It all began in medieval times, with the monophonic voice of Gregorian chants….,” he shared. Sailing through the periods of Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, and 20th Century, we were treated to an audio example of each. Highlighted were the traits that made each era unique. Mr. Dominguez eloquently exemplified the progression of this genre of music and how it has formed the roots of nearly all manners of music. --- I loved it.
Not to be missed was Mr. Dominguez’s passion for music. Specifically, classical music. His eyes reflected it. The conviction with which he spoke resonated it. I asked him to share his thoughts on the future of said musical genre. “It will be around forever. It is very much alive, and as such, will continue to transform to the conversation of its time.”
Music speaks to each of us in a different way. The sounds which one may find comforting, another might find less so. However, it is truly a universal language without boundaries. In that sense, alone, it can be a language of love that touches all of our hearts like none other.
To that, I raise my glass of Montepulciano and toast another, happy, Valentine’s Day.
This was a Moment in America.
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