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Aretha and Rice make soul music to help charity

Updated: 2010-07-29 13:37

 

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Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, decided the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.

The former US secretary of state and Franklin took the stage Tuesday evening at Philadelphia's Mann Music Center in a rare duet for Rice, the classically trained pianist, and Franklin, the soulful voice of a generation. Their aim was to raise money for urban children and awareness for music and the arts.

"It is a joint effort for the inner-city youth of Philadelphia and Detroit," Franklin said the night before their concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Their appearance in the three-hour concert before an estimated crowd of 8,000 overflowed with Franklin's catalog of hits, and arias from the world of opera and classical music.

"We decided to give it a try," Franklin said. "So here we are, in the city of Brotherly - and Sisterly - Love."

Rice, better known as a diplomat and national security adviser, accompanied Franklin singing her hit I Say A Little Prayer as well as My Country 'Tis of Thee. Rice said she practiced furiously for her performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto in D Minor with the orchestra.

Rice's given name is derived from the Italian opera stage instruction con dolcezza, meaning "with sweetness." Long a musician of note, she played from elementary school through college and beyond, in quartets and performing chamber music. She has even played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. But, she said this was "the first time I've played with an orchestra since I was 18."

When she learned that Rice played classical music, Franklin sent for one of her recordings "to hear what she sounded like."

Previously, she said, "All I had seen of Dr. Rice was in a political atmosphere. It just seemed foreign that she would be a classical pianist."

"She really does play," Franklin said. "She's formidable."

The two met at a White House function, Rice recalled. "We were just talking and chatting and she said, 'You play, don't you?' And I said, 'Yes.' And she said we should do something together."

Both women lauded each other's talents, and abilities, but Rice made it clear she'll leave the singing to Franklin.

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About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is fluent in Korean and has a 2-year-old son.