After the concert there were many partings

It is amazing how meaningful relationships can become in just a few days. It illustrates how we only need the opportunity of exposure to begin to see each other as unique people, interesting and valuable in our own right. I had the advantage of a long conversation with this lovely member of our chorus while on the long bus rides. She is Georgiana Nicula, a doctoral student in music at the academy in Cluj--really smart and has a great deal to say!

I met and began to appreciate many others as well in this short and concentrated time. What a privilege and thrill to have taken part in this festival. Unforgettable!

The cathedral in Oradea

We are at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Oradea. Here are some snaps of this magnificent building. This room had the most majestic sound.

Ann Williams

Here is Ann Williams, principal cello, Pittsburg Symphony, playing with Ken at the end of Sunday Morning Service, at the Baptist Christian Church of Manastur, in Cluj.

Sunday morning

Testimony with Dag Anders Eriksen.

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Dag playing a Norwegian tune.

Testimony with Julian Poore.

Karis Tucker sing a solo.

After the concert in Cluj

A five-hour bus trip returned us to Cluj from Brasov. In bed by 2:30 am. I am too old for this. The next evening we did Brahms in a Reformed church in Cluj. I shot these after the concert in Cluj.

Amy Iancu and Anna Tucker.

David Gier talking to a audience member.

Will and Ulrike from Berlin.

In Brasov after Brahms

My beloved stand partner, Amy Iancu, in the gown she made herself!

In Brasov

We are at the Black Church in Brasov, a fine Gothic structure, tall and long, but not wide.

Finally together

The chorus joins us in rehearsal. 

A thoughtful Beat Rink

Some more snaps of the panel

Here are Beat Rink and Ellen Rose in the panel discussion.

And a shot of Ken Tucker with David Gier.

And Dag Eriksen looking on thoughtfully.

Traveling

Let us love one another! I think we have that covered! Taken during the bus trip to Brasov--

Some sights around Cluj

... Including the famous "Shot Pillars" commemorating those who died in the revolution here.

Here is the chorus

Our host family

Here is the Dudas family with daughter Celia Dudas and son Dorian. They have been our gracious and generous hosts here in Cluj.

Here is our other soloist

... Georgeta Stoleriu, soprano. This woman is amazing--totally professional, never complains. She has a magnificent voice and has graced us with a fine performance each night. She also sang the soprano solo in Haydn's creation four years ago in Oratorium. These are very special experiences.

O my aching back

After many years of not playing the violin, these three-hour rehearsals are tough. I have pains in muscles I had forgotten about.

We had our dress rehearsal Thursday, and Friday we took a five-hour bus ride to Brasov, played Brahms' Requiem, and returned to Cluj. Last night we played the concert in Cluj, and today we go to Oradea for the final concert. Chorus and orchestra are doing quite well, I think. It is a big undertaking to prepare this in a week.

One of two soloists

Meet Will Hughes, Oratorium's baritone soloist for Brahms' Requiem. Will is from Richardson, Texas, but he is doing a Master's degree at Westminster Choir College.

Wednesday evening panel

Wednesday evening, Oratorium presented a panel discussion with the festival docents, from the left, Dag Anders Eriksen, Delta David Gier, Kenneth Tucker, Beat Rink (moderator), Ellen Rose, Ann Williams, and Julian Poore. The discussion was wide-ranging including questions of duty and freedom to their most embarrassing moments. Ken Tucker translated the remarks of each into Romanian.

Reprise

The group got to play two movements of the Mendelssohn Octet in the church for the Oratorium participants.

Mercy!

Here is another shot of the most hideous apartment buildings I have ever seen. That is what happens when governments treat people as things.

My viewpoint

Here is a Bob's-eye view of the orchestra.

My stand partner

This is my beloved stand partner, Amy, who has helped enormously as we slug through Brahms' Requiem.

Last night's recital

... at the music academy was a hit.

Here is the entrance to this old yet modern building,

The first group played Mozart piano quartet in B, K. 493,

The next group played a Haydn trio in C,

Then we heard a clarinet duet by Conradin Kreutzer.

Followed by a Mozart Divertimento for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon.

The final work was Mendelsohn's octet for strings, featuring Ellen Rose.

That was a hit.

Tacit

Here I am performing the tacit part perfectly!

First day of rehearsal

Here are some views of David Gier rehearsing the violas and cellos in the first movement of Brahms' Requiem. (By the way, I perform that movement to perfection. The violins are tacit.) Can anyone spot Ellen Rose?

Off we go!

Ken Tucker announcing the opening of Oratorium (in Romanian) and Susan Strohschein translating to English.

The meaning of it all

On the left, conductor David Gier, and on the right, concertmaster Dag Anders Eriksen. First, behaving themselves, then making an oblique reference to a well-known sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Hmmm. I wonder what it all means.

The mainspring

This is Anka, administrator for Oratorium, without whom little would get done!