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First, from an artist's viewpoint, Maestro Carlo Maria
Giulini: "I really must congratulate you on having created
something extra-ordinary. This auditorium is unique.
The acoustics are perfect, and are what one would call in Italian,
'moto simpatico.' We felt, this morning, so happy and at ease as
though we had played here many times before. I must express to
you my admiration for what you have done here. This building, with
its beauty and David Wynne's marvelous sculpture of birds (erected
five or six years ago), symbolizes all that should be aimed at in
such a work. You, like the great patrons of the Renaissance, have
created a composite work of art, which will have an untold effect
upon the whole cultural standards of this part of the world. I
must thank you on behalf of all artists involved and offer you my
congratulations. I am so happy to be here."
May I also make one comment of my own? The new Auditorium
is in no way ostentatious, but rather it is plain in elegant
simplicity and beauty. It breathes character through its superb
quality and meticulous craftsmanship. It is modern, with a certain
flair, yet retaining complete dignity; an appearance of being light
and airy, yet reflecting stability and strength. The coloring is
generally bright, uplifting, inspiring, not dark, gloomy or
depressing. I heard one person describing the character of the
Auditorium as a building, and I said, "Why, you've just described
the very character of God." And if it bears that character, I am
pleased and I believe God is pleased.
Now I want to quote the comment of a Church member -- a
member of an outlying church in the general Pasadena area:
"Being unable (as most of us were) to attend the concerts
opening the AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM, I did the next best thing --
go on the first tour through it for the public. I want to briefly
describe my emotions following that tour:
"My first surprise was to see the House for God surrounded
by a large, beautiful lake, reflecting the blue sky and white
clouds. I had heard of the lake or pools, with the Auditorium
described by some as a Taj Mahal. It truly is! As I walked
toward the Auditorium over the midst of the waters my eyes fastened
upon an inscription within the building gleaming in the sunlight,
visible from the walkway "TO THE HONOR AND GLORY OF THE GREAT GOD."
What an emotional wallop. Looking inside I saw beautiful carpets
of purple, blue, scarlet, and gold, the colors of God's Temple,
with gold ceilings and crystals everywhere. Magnificent! When I
entered and saw the staircases ascending and descending, the
purple, the gold, the quality and beauty, I can understand why
there was 'no spirit left in her' when the Queen of Sheba visited
a structure similarly dedicated to our GREAT GOD three thousand
years ago. I saw no dry eye. (Perhaps because tears had come to
my own.) After seeing the curtains, the audience seating, the
balcony, I can truly say, 'Mr. Armstrong did not tell us 'the half'
of the grandeur of God's House.' It exceeds ALL expectations!
'Who is like unto THEE, O Eternal, among the gods? Who is like
Thee? Glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?'