Long-ago slice of life of steveroni
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| Maestro Josef Kripps shouted, "Sing, SING!" |
MY LIFE, MY MEMORY
A MEMORABLE SUMMER
Some years ago, after my first season with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, at age 20, I had a cyst removed from left side of my neck and I can still today feel the warm blood trickle down my neck and chest and arm.
Surgery was in the doctor's office. Tests showed a non-malignancy, but it sure made violin playing uncomfortable for several weeks. I had (still have) on my violin a rosewood chin rest, and it became more red (with blood) as the days went by.
Doctor said, "Don't play for a few weeks", but I was leaving in a short time for Tanglewood (Lenox Massachusetts), and had to practice like mad for those orchestra seating auditions.
It was a great summer musically, for me, many true learning experiences--studying with members of the Boston Symphony. I felt well-blest to be playing under some famous conductors that summer; Aaron Copeland, Charles Munch, Leonard Bernstein, etc.
Gregor Piatagorsky--world-famous' cellist of the day--was my chamber music coach for one week, and Richard Bergen, Boston Symphony concertmaster, led our small group for two weeks. I got to play first violin in a piano quintet group, with William Kroll's (violist and composer) daughter playing viola. Ah, memories (again!)
Lagniappe: Prior to the summer Tanglewood experience, my rather well-to-do Uncle T. sent me to his own "special" doctor for that cyst removal, saying everything would be "taken care of" and that the doctor had instructions to "take care of everything."
Well, I got the bill several weeks later for $1,100 (helluva lot in 1950's) . But Uncle Tony had made it sound like HE would foot the bill. We live, we learn--there IS no free lunch. So I took care of it
(the bill!)...
--steveroni
This may be a re-post from 2 years ago
I just do not remember, and too lazy to
look it up!
19 comments:
We do suffer in the name of art. You're lucky that you were able to solve your problems relatively smoothly, and how wonderful it must have been to play alongside and under some amazing musicians - a group of which, of course, you are part, my friend :)
Sam, you are perceptive in so many ways...thank you for your beautiful and inspiring comments--always!
Thankfully, it was not malignant and you went on to make beautiful music and continue to do so. What august company you've kept, sir!! Too bad about the $1000!
Thank you for sharing your rich memories...you made my evening richer by doing so...
scary stuff...my father had a cancer removed from his shoulder after it burst when we were sledding when i was young...he has had over 100 skin cancer surgeries since then...glad yours was able to be removed and you were able to play for years to come...
Es un placer pasar a leer tus excelentes textos.
Deseo tengas una feliz semana.
un abrazo.
Wow...you know this type of stuff is so scary, but I love your whole spot on learning from your uncle. It's always about our lessons in life...Much love Steve!
Gabi
You certainly knew and played with the best..Tanglewood was a favorite vacation place for us in the '70's, picnics and Bernstein..also loved Jacob's Pillow...
No free lunch, for sure!
<3
Is there any chace that someday you'll post a video of your talents with a violin. I'd love to hear it.
Talent, gifts and life's lessons all rolled in one short essay. Love your banner, ditto to Sam's comment, he is an old soul in a young body, don't you think.
and ditto to covnitkepr1 it would be a delightful gift if you shared your music with us.
Joanny
wow steve - that sounds beautiful and scary - sometimes life interrupts our forward-heading paths by not "playing nice"
glad everything turned out well!
You Veroni....
are a man with a past, a present, a future... in the music of your music itself and the music of your life...
And such a melody and rhythm that is!
Hugs my Friend
;)
D.
I can envision the rosewood chin rest stained with your blood...creating its own patina. The show must go on!
You make beautiful music then, now and always.
Thanxx for the memories. Hugs and blisses, LS
You played under Aaron Copeland, he is a hero of mine, I love his music. Steveroni you must be one hell of a player, world class and still in there, thats some achievement.
Hat tip to you sir.
SO! i must double dip here to call you home?
I mean Blogsweetland?
;)
Assuming makes a you know what out of you and me.
Glad that you survived in the end..
lovely image,
http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/08/jingles-august-follower-awards.html
Happy Tuesday!
Josef Cripps... my grandfather played under him for many years in the Buffalo Phil as a cellist.
What an experience, to play under Copland, Bernstein, playing at Tanglewood, wow!
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