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by Antonella Alba 18 May 2020 In addition to commercial activities, today the resumption of some cultural-related activities such as the reopening of museums and libraries, while according to the new Prime Ministerial Decree of 17 May, to reopen theaters and cinemas, it will be necessary to wait on 15 June respecting the distance of safety of at least one meter. The world of music therefore continues to suffer isolation, hundreds of live concerts, major events and musical events canceled in 2020, even those of the summer season. All postponed to 2021 they say from Assomusica. 

Three months in which, however, there was no shortage of musicians who made themselves heard, often giving their contribution on social media, streaming and even from the balconies.

For the first time in its history, the Blue Note in Milan, a temple of national and international jazz, has also opened its doors to a completely streaming live concert involving 12 countries in Europe and beyond. "It is precisely in this period that good music should not be missing, because we all need to find lightness and inner depth to move forward, and music can give it to us" said Andrea De Micheli CEO of Blue Note. 110,000 people connected from home to hear the Paolo Fresu concert and the Devil Quartet whose proceeds went to the Red Cross.

We asked Paolo Fresu , an internationally renowned trumpeter .

How can music change, fulfilling its civil and social function in this difficult moment?
Music can do a lot and a lot is doing. Enter our homes and connect us. It becomes a tribal tam-tam capable of amplifying messages and shortening distances. It has a civil and social function, but it also speaks for a political message.

Explain it better ..
The notes are as if they walked in the air making the world small when, especially today, it is just like that because of the coronavirus that tells us every day. If music is the language of encounters and outreach, this must bring with it a message of solidarity and hope.

Jazz, his kind of choice, is also improvisation needs eye contact to be played, how can one go on despite the closure of theaters and restrictive measures?
Absolutely yes. Jazz is done with others and the beauty of a concert is in the interplay between the musicians on the stage, as well as in the ability to dialogue with the audience. All this is missing today and musicians invent other forms of creativity and communication from their homes. The thrill of sharing is missing, but what is being done is a bridge to the future. And bridges are made of contact, of looks and passion. Hearing a record at home is nice but it does not amplify the emotions as when you feel it with others. I hope we can start again soon with live concerts, albeit with the obvious safety rules. Now the churches reopen then the small concert venues can reopen, the summer is important for the activities of the theaters.

The workers of the show are in great difficulty and instead can contribute to the economy of the territories with the induced that cultural events create, and to offer fans a chance of escape and growth.

"Music is our therapy," said Ezio Bosso, who passed away a few days ago.
As I wrote in a Facebook post, I had known Ezio Bosso for twenty years, we were friends. When I met him he played the double bass like no other. He was a virtuoso with an extraordinary musicality that became one with the instrument. After a few years he told me about his illness, he spoke slowly but with the depth of always. He was forced to abandon the double bass to play the piano and conduct, but he was happy anyway, thanks to his extraordinary strength. His music, his poetry have done good to the world, here is the therapy. 

What do you think of the songs from the balconies and the new musical enjoyment, for example streaming? 
The songs from the balconies now seem prehistoric. Because the coronavirus time goes much faster than we do. It was an important and symbolic moment. Precisely to demonstrate the value and meaning of music, as well as to approach us all ideally through sounds and melodies.

I think well of private music videos which are the representation and photography of our creativity developed in our homes and which goes into the homes of others. I also think well of streaming if this is the ford towards the future, as long as it guarantees two fundamental concepts: respect for the artists and workers with fair compensation, and the quality of the audio and video footage that must approach that of the live.

And how? 
In Italy we coined the term "liquid music" for everything that passes through the network. But even the water I bought online has a cost. Unfortunately often too high ...

That is?
There is no need to tell that behind a video or a streaming concert there are professionalism, years of study and investments. Otherwise the risk is the annihilation of music and that many think that this is the future. One should not think that music can be used on the net as a free product, but that it has a concrete value on par with a meal from the restaurant that is brought to our home. Because behind this there are courgettes, tomatoes and oil to buy, a structure to maintain, a team of cooks and one with the scooter that brings everything to our home.

You are an established musician, what would you say to your younger colleagues right now?
I tell young musicians that they shouldn't panic despite the very difficult situation. We must engage the mind through creativity and chasing dreams. We have the affections to cultivate more than before that we were little at home (at least I ...). To them I say that we should be more understanding with others because this pandemic is not necessarily an enemy and especially on social networks where hatred should be canceled and also among us musicians who have chosen an extraordinary 'job'. I tell them that they must not feel alone and that they will soon go back to concerts and live with music.

We must be proud of who we are and the important contribution we make to society despite what some people think about our worthlessness. You see I think there is a profound reflection on the need to change the state of the workers of the show so that, out of the time of the coronavirus, we are all in another place with more respect for our profession, with duties but also with rights. And all this to prevent the next crisis, we hope as far as possible, from being in the same precarious situation as now.