Search - Paul Winter Consort, Robert J. Lurtsema :: Man Who Planted Trees

In memory of Robert J. Lurtsema.

Bob Zeidler | Charlton, MA United States | 05/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a simple, heartwarming and thoroughly uplifting story, narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema with incidental music provided by Paul Winter and his Consort. It tells of the overwhelmingly empowering effect that a single human being can have, through sheer dint of commitment.



The story, by Jean Giono, is simplicity itself. Over a period of three decades, Elzéard Bouffier, a Frenchman finding himself widowed and alone in a barren and desolate region of France, began to transform the area through the simple act of collecting and sorting acorns, and then planting one hundred of the most propitious-appearing acorns each day. It was a task of solitude and almost religious solemnity, taking place totally outside the view of others. Over time, Bouffier transformed the region, making it once again a hospitable place. Many years after the start of Bouffier's work, people - including foresters - marveled at what they "had missed," totally unaware that this was the life's work of a single human being.



Almost anyone could have narrated this simple tale of regeneration with effectiveness. That the task fell to Robert J. Lurtsema is pleasurable beyond measure to one who made it a habit, when he could, to listen to Lurtsema's PBS-syndicated program, "Morning Pro Musica." Robert J. was a polymath in the best sense of the term, able to talk with authority on a wide range of topics. And now, in retrospect, I cannot picture anyone else telling this story with equal effect.



A number of months back, shortly after Robert J.'s passing, my wife and I were nearing the end of a five-hour car journey, and I played this album for her, since she had not heard it before. She was moved by the simple beauty of the tale, and by Robert J.'s incomparable narrative skills. As matters would have it, the timing of this event was eerily perfect yet totally unplanned: Elsewhere, at precisely the same hour, a memorial celebration of Robert J. was in process. And his collaborator and long-time friend Paul Winter was there, sharing his reminiscences of this remarkable man.



Robert J., this review's for you.



Bob Zeidler"

Could not get out of my car

Douglas E. Sawyer | Warsaw, IN USA | 05/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After three days on family practice call with one complication after another, was driving home from mother's day gathering at sunset through rolling IN farm land. Heard this album on HO Space via satellite. Found myself slowing down car so would not get home so quick, still arriving in my garage too soon. Sat for 20 minutes listening to this peaceful story with tension draining from my body and dramatic windswept landscapes replacing the worries in my mind. Plan to buy this album and send it to my son who lives in Bellingham, WA. Hopefully a few good men planting trees there. A smile to you. Douglas E. Sawyer, MD

Warsaw, IN"

Truly inspiring

Peter Gerlach | Portland, OR | 05/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard this moving narration and music on the radio, and found myself spellbound by the vivid vision it evoked. As an introspective observer of our human drama (an my own), I was deeply struck by the alegoric message of this beautiful creation: the innate "seed planter" in each one of us, and our inherent individual ability to patiently transform some desolation into a healthy, flourishing zone promoting harmony and the best life has to offer.
I suspect that people currently focused on the warp-speed outer world will be unimpressed by this masterpiece. Others who choose to explore their inner world and seek their own life's meaning and mission are apt to be profoundly moved and inspired. This is a marvelous gift for any of the latter people you care about!"