but not yet...

i am so overwhelmed by the fact that i met so many of my friends.. i start crying every time i start writing or deciding which of my 70 photos to post.

maybe later

in 2003 or 4 Elena joined Piano World. i thought it was so neat that a concert pianist actually posted on the forum. i visited her website and bought a couple of her CDs, marveled at her incredible beauty. i was delighted to hear that she and Laura played Schubert's Fantasy 103. It's been a favorite piece of music of mine for a long time. I bought the duet and created a solo transcription so i could play with myself. one day on line i told Elena that if i ever got to meet her that she would have to play that duet with me. Elena remembered our long ago conversation and asked recently if we would be playing it in NY. i told i would bring the music.

that said, i'd first of all like to thank all those who made it possible for me to come. jack and kathy i don't think i would have entertained the notion without your 'prodding'. jon - i never would have come without your support and hospitality.. you have no idea what a wonderful trip that was for me. you are the kindest most thoughtful person. your generosity is awesome... you indeed created a moment of a lifetime for many of us and i thank you forever.

i also keep shedding tears for the secret person who bought my dinner. i am so touched... thank you whoever you are.. that was just the nicest thing and the reason it has taken me so long to post this.. everytime if think of it i start crying.

one of the hilites of the trip was the awesome camembert soft cheese that sat in the corner of the living room. it was extraordinarily delicious.. as plays said..'just like velvet'. I was so impressed with Rachel's command of logistics.. the food was excellent.. every thing was always neat. She's absolutely gorgeous and i so appreciate the invitation to stay in her home..

the concert was stupendous.. walking the streets of Manhatten and Brooklyn was so fun. the dinners, drinks and the party were incredible.

words cannot express how great it was to meet the friends i've known for so long. i actually met Ariel!!!!.. she is the most awesome entity.. an incredible intellect wrapped in an ethereal gossamer body..she was so pretty.

Bernard.. i have always loved you. you are so thoughtful and sweet. to actually talk with you and hear you play was one of my greatest moments. i cry to think i can't just pop over and see your house and spend moments at your piano. i hope we are friends forever. your playing was masterful and soulful and your left hand was so graceful... i know that sounds stupid.. but it just flowed so gracefully over the keys.

jack and kathy - it was the greatest pleasure meeting the two of you. i've always looked forward to interacting with the both of you.. Planning the duet was great Kathy (it was her idea that the two of us together would project a friendship that would transcend any past animosity by playing the duet.. planning that surprise for jonathon was really fun ( i always enjoyed our passionate discussions)


and plays.. meeting you was like meeting my long lost sister. You've the most beautiful voice and soul.

and then the music.. the glorious performance by Laura and Elena, the awesome performances by so many skilled pianists. i am in awe of the raw talent that congregated Friday. i could go on for quite some time but here's a few pics

jon in his awesome space..


Elena and chiquita watching the recital and eating asparagus



kathyk, jackfrost and plays with Doug peeking out of the background


kluurs - (your playing was incredible)


realplayer and bootsey - the both of the them were just incredible


jonathon (jackfrost) taking a photo


awesome ax





lucy in the sky talking with KathyK and other various partiers


CathyS - another awesome pianist.. who nailed her pieces




Phlebas (who i onced called fleabag for a joke who is like my cyber piano teacher) - he also was incredibly talented


mark - who gets the award for the most improved pianist ever


a fuzzy photo of Bernard helping push the bicycle cab for lilylady and terrytunes


Susan (plays) at the piano with Beethoven


a group shot


3 masters playing a piece for 6 hands.. that was a really neat piece and great to see the three of them play it so beautifully



all for now

Great photos Mary!

Great account of the days in NYC.

Memories that will last a lifetime!

So happy you were able to be there!

Hey, I have that T-shirt too!

And apple! You made ME cry! What a weekend it must have been. Oh how I wish I could have been there - and to meet Ariel/Amanda! Wow. I'm sorry she wasn't able to make the party. Any chance she'll log in here to say hello? Please somebody tell her again how much we miss her!

Jodi

Apple,
That was a wonderful post! It was really great to see you again and the only regret I have from my time there is that I just wish there was more time to visit with everyone.

Apple, I am touched by your words. I am soooooooooooooooooooooo happy you were able to be here and I am soooooooooooooooooooooo happy I got to meet you. (P.S., the bit about my left hand doesn't sound stupid. )

That explains why jon-nyc wears blue sneakers! They match his stairs.

Great T-shirts! What a deal!

I don't know where to post this - so many excellent photos in so many threads! Quite the handsome group and it sounds like everyone had the most wonderful time! I can only hope the Duo plays the West Coast soon so I can join the fun.

I love all of the pictures of Forumites, only a few of whom have I met. 'most everyone looks just as I thought they would, although there were a few surprises (and I'm not telling what they were ).

Kudos to John and Rachel for hosting everyone!

As for photos, out of all of the photos I have seen so far I think I like this one the best:


It may not have come out the way you planned it, Apple, but it's terrific!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Miller:
I don't know where to post this - so many excellent photos in so many threads! Quite the handsome group and it sounds like everyone had the most wonderful time! I can only hope the Duo plays the West Coast soon so I can join the fun.

I love all of the pictures of Forumites, only a few of whom have I met. 'most everyone looks just as I thought they would, although there were a few surprises (and I'm not telling what they were ).

Kudos to John and Rachel for hosting everyone!

I would second that.

To be honest, as all of this was being planned and put together, I took some note of it, but not a lot. It seemed nice, but also seemed like a very expensive trip for just a couple of days.

But having read the threads that were posted while you were all there and especially all of the follow up threads and all of the pictures, I now wish I had made the effort to have joined all of you.

It would have been one helluva a hoot!