Bill Plaschke: Cellist Ben Hong hit just the right notes at the pregame ceremony for Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES - He touched the hearts of Lakers Nation despite never having played an organized game of basketball.
He starred at the most impactful Lakers game in history even though it was the first Lakers game he had ever attended.
He was asked to provide the soundtrack to a city's grief while mourning his own family tragedy.
When he was summoned to Staples Center to play "Hallelujah" on the cello for pregame memorial ceremonies Jan. 31, Ben Hong of the Los Angeles Philharmonic faced obstacles in fortissimo.
He was given one day to prepare. He had never seen the sheet music. He had yet to see the accompanying video. He never played at the arena. All of which paled to his grieving the December death of his ex-wife, the mother of his son.
"I felt this
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