Mark and Yael stayed with us this past week. What a joy to have two marvelous musicians in the house. Mark is one of the planet’s great violinists, and his (younger) wife is a marvelous pianist. Both on the faculty of University of Indiana at Bloomington, they were in town for a concert and climaxed the week by giving a concert for a group of about 20 friends at our home last Saturday. Our new Feurich 7′3″ grand piano has just been regulated and tuned and we were happy to hear it played so beautifully by Yael.
The concert featured the Beethoven Spring Sonata, the Webern Op.7 pieces, single movements from the Ravel sonata (”Blues”) and a Brahms sonata. They ended the concert with an encore by yours truly, called “Waltz No.70″ originally written for Leon Kirchner’s 70th birthday. We were thilled and the listeners even moreso. We’ve decided to have regular concerts here featuring friends who play and perhaps preceded by an inexpensive meal. I’m already planning mine, but Angus and Thom will be next.
Daniel videotaped the concert, so I’m hoping to include my encore piece in a subsequent post. In the mean time, Yael found this YouTube video of her (then, younger) husband playing the 24th Paganini Caprice. Can this guy play or what? (By the way, Yael has a new CD coming out this month featuring late Schumann piano music. I have a copy but it’s a surprise until it’s released.)
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As one of the fortunate “about 20″ I must say the playing was absolutely first-rate, and the whole affair a joy. It’s even inspiring me to figure out how to make a lot more money, so I can have a house again and entertain.
I will be eagerly awaiting the Schumann CD.
How was the Grgich ‘93 (yum yum)? I met Mike G. years ago at a Long Beach wine dinner in his honor. He wasted no time going after the pretty woman in our party, inviting her to join him at the winery =]. Although that was quite a few years ago I understand he’s still thriving. I see he shares an April 1st birthday with Sergei Rachmaninoff—although he’s anything but dour.
Thanks Brad, events chez Ogden come without strings attached, so entertain if you’d like, but not cuz you owe us. Great to have you there.
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