In order to materialise this hope of mankind, there must be people who will work toward this dream, toward the creation of a beautiful human world. At workshops at American music schools, I stated my thought on this question, and quoting the words of Maestro Casals, appealed to the audience, "Who will do that? Isn't it on all those engaged in music education that this mission rests?" Almost everywhere, the moment these words were over, the American or Canadian music teachers in the hall stood up clapping their hands loudly to indicate their agreement. I was very happy. I almost envy music educators over there who always respond enthusiastically in this way. Music educators' mission certainly ought to be that. Music enables us to communicate with the souls of great people in the past. In music, they still live and address us. Music has the possibility to fulfil Maestro Casals' prophesy. 21 The late great pianist Busoni wrote in a poem in praise of Mozart: If permitted, I will here prophesy that, as one of the future possibilities, the time will surely come when mankind can cultivate by music a superior sensitivity and beautiful humanity in every child. Choose a beautiful masterpiece by Beethoven, Bach, or Mozart, and play it every day for a new-born. It's a fact that in five months the baby will be thoroughly familiar with the piece. At the very start of life there is the potential for the growth of a human being with a beautiful sensitivity. If the time comes when people are aware of this potential as a fact, it will be possible for the state to adopt a policy to educate all babies so as to foster superior sensitivity and beautiful humanity. Youthful like a boy, mature like an old man Never old, never modern, Buried in the grave Yet always fresh. His smile, so human, Shines on us, purifies us, Even now. . . When Maestro Casals visited Japan for the first time in 1961, approximately four hundred Tokyo chapter students gave a welcoming concert at the Bunkyo-ku Public Hall. It was a great day, a precious day to commemorate. Over twenty students, including small children of ages five and six, fostered by Mr. Yoshio Sato, played the cello together. Their performance of SaintSaens' Swan was indeed beautiful. The Bach Double by two hundred violin children, including many small ones, was also splendid. Hearing the fine unison performance of such small children, Maestro Casals was deeply moved. When it was over, he hugged my shoulders, with tears in his eyes for a while. Then he went up on the stage filled with children standing with violins and spoke. In that speech, he said, "Perhaps it's music that will save the world." These wonderful words clearly teach us the essence of music. In music Bach and Mozart still live and talk to us, and for this very reason, as he prophesies, there is a possibility that someday mankind will create a beautiful human world. What Music Appeals-Life's Communication with Life Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
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