Pablo Casals, the great Spanish cellist, wrote these motivating words:
Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe,
A moment that never was before and never will be again.
And what do we teach our children in school?
We teach them that two and two make four
And that Paris is the capital of France.
When will we also teach them what they are?
We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are?
You are a marvel. You are unique.
In all of the world there is no other child exactly like you.
In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been a child like you.
And look at your body- what a wonder it is!
Your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move!
You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven.
You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.
And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel?
You must cherish one another
We must all work-
To make this world worthy of its children.
Casals, mostly known for his fascinating cello playing, was also a conductor. He performed many concerts and recorded many recordings, possibly the best known being his performance of the Bach Cello Suites. Today Casal’s legacy lives on in his recordings, his writings, and also through the International Pablo Casal’s Cello Competition which is held annually.