This was a happy reunion after many long months. The last I caught up with Friedrich Edelmann and Rebecca Rust they were returning from one of their European tours only to land one in Japan, playing for the Emperor and Empress. The happily married bassoon and cello duo, who sometimes add a pianist to the mix were in esteemed royal company.
The latest musical updates were imparted by Friedrich as Rebecca, Alana (a mutual companion) and I dove into our plates filled with salads, artichokes, salmon, seasoned chicken, pilaf, hummus, and infinite ambrosian delights:
“On our tour to Japan in July-August 2015 we played 15 concerts in Tokyo, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, Oita, Tsukuba and others. The concerts were organized and supported by Mercedes-Benz, Japan, by Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation, Nagoya, and by the German-Japan Society, Kobe.
“On July 13th we were invited privately to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, playing for the Emperor and the Empress of Japan, and Empress Michiko also played on the piano together with Rebecca on the cello.”
What a unique musical journey among many this couple has taken around the world.
I took my own sojourn to the house piano, a satisfying Kawai studio upright with a lovely resonant tone.
As an encore to this get together, note the riveting interview I’d convened with Friedrich that tied his 27-year Munich Philharmonic tenure to various adventures with piano soloists, Michelangeli and Barenboim.
And finally, not to overlook a fine dining Bacheesos hostess who made our musician family reunion a memorable one.
LINKS:
Hi Shirley,
Your phrase “…and infinite ambrosian delights” should alone qualify you to write a book about your adventures.
“Van Cliburn to George Li: An American music teacher’s adventures in the 20th-21st century music world.”
I remembered reading many years ago that Empress Michiko, during an official dinner, stood up, sat at the piano and gave a wonderful rendition of Bach Prelude No. 1 in C major.
When I mentioned this to a friend, he told me Ehud Barak the ex-Israeli prime minister also plays the piano.
If I were to use my wild imagination and match the most appropriate instrument to world leaders, I think Barack Obama would play the saxophone and Vladimir Putin would play the bass flute turn weapon that was featured in the Mission Impossible movie.
Fascinating set of comments almost more compelling than the blog text. Thanks for sharing.
Shirley K