Oktoberfest in zwei Nächten

The Oktoberfest weekend was like a mini-vacation for us. Friday night we attended a fundraiser at St. Stephen's where the Friars (pun intended) made the most delicious sauerbraten and warm potato salad I have ever eaten. Apparently they began the process days ago by soaking meat in brine and performing other time-consuming steps to yield the most tender and flavorful meal ever served in a church fellowship hall. I wore my lederhosen (buckskin) from Bavaria to support the theme of the party and, quite frankly, because they are comfortable.

On Saturday we had SFO Symphony tickets to hear Yefim Bronfman play Brahms' 2nd piano concerto, a magnificent and difficult work. We chose to continue the German theme by eating at Suppenkuche (soup kitchen http://www.suppenkuche.com/dinner.html) at the corner of Laguna and Hayes. Normally if you are there by 6pm, you can be seated right away. But because of Fleet Week, Oktoberfest, Columbus Day and the President's Cup Golf event, the restaurant was packed and a 45-minute wait faced us. Undaunted, we each downed 1/2 liter of Erdinger Hefeweizen, a light wheat beer, while waiting for our table. Our meal was extraordinary with tender venison, the mandatory red cabbage and spaetzle. And then we shared one order of apfel strudel. Yum!

I love the serendipity of sitting family style at Suppenkuche. We sat with five thirty-somethings who were celebrating the near-ready launch of their new business. In these tough economic times, it's delightful and motivating to discuss possibilities with brilliant, enthusiastic and smart people who are turning their vision into reality. Perhaps they shared with us a glimpse of "...the next big thing..." in technology.

Our symphony seats provide a good vantage point for the soloist's hands, so I was in heaven listening to Brahms while watching the amazing technique required. The gracious performer signed CDs after the concert, and we drove home happy, well fed and feeling as if we had a mini-vacation without the jet lag.

Sunday was a day to do absolutely nothing, and that's just what we did because we are good at it! Right now there is a eucalyptus fire in the fireplace, burning hot and clean, and the pasta is nearly ready for dinner. Dennis harvested what may be the next-to-the-last batch of organic tomatoes from the garden. Along with his tender basil and some fresh mozzarella, the feast continues.

The Path Not Taken

San Francisco Conservatory Recital Hall

Playing piano has been a joy all of my life, though now as arthritis begins to swell my finger joints, the days of performing publicly may be coming to an end. Still, I will play as I am able to enjoy the satisfaction of making music, expressing myself through the beauty of others' composition.



While in highschool in Bruxelles, Belgium, I had to decide whether to follow the traditional route to college, or take a chance on going to Conservatory. As a junior, I was the accompanist for The Fantasticks which was a great deal of fun. The musical is usually performed in a theater-in-the-round setting with the audience very close to the action, and the pianist and drummer are actually on stage behind the actors. Our cast was invited to the Arts Festival in Paris (1973) where International schools from all over Europe brought their best choirs, plays and other musicians. Our performance won the coveted "Command Performance" designation, the highest honor we could have dreamt of. I briefly considered Conservatory, but opted instead to become an engineer for my vocation, retaining music and piano as my passion.



Over the years I have played for many choirs and 2nd tier orchestras. I have performed at fund raisers and cocktail parties. But the most satisfying musical experiences have always been weddings. Last October I received a call from Richard, Bill, Marc and Denny, asking me if I would play at their dual wedding ceremony strategically set for November 1st before the outcome of the election would be known. I was so deeply touched that they would ask me, especially when they have access to pianists who are far more accomplished than I am. Of course I said "yes".



Playing in a recital hall is a very unique experience because the space is designed acoustically to reveal all the musical detail the artist can muster. An added joy was to be playing a Steinway D which is a 9 foot long concert grand piano. The particular instrument I played was made in Hamburg, Germany (the other factory is in Queens, New York). Words fail to describe the sensational experience of playing an instrument as close to perfection as humanly possible. The piano did exactly what I wanted it to do, and together we wove a musical context for the dignified, loving and spiritual wedding experienced by the two couples and all those in attendance.



To these wonderful men who let me use my gifts to celebrate their special day, I thank you from my entire being!