On Good Friday at the village church in Cantiano, we were so impressed with the choir’s performance. But I realized I had made a big mistake: We should have been recording their service to get tracks for the Easter CD I hope to produce along with our TV special.
I asked the choir director if, for a donation to their church, they’d sing for us in a private concert. They were thrilled to gather on Saturday morning and perform seven pieces for the CD.
As we film events like this for our Easter special, I’m so happy we’re complementing the big-city culture with rustic, small-town passion. Working with the people of Cantiano this Easter was a delightful experience in every way. What are some musical serendipities in your bank of travel memories?
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Many years ago, I was a student traveling in Europe and ended up at the Cathedral in Salzburg for Midnight Mass. Although the Mass was in German and Latin (neither of which I understood) the music was amazing. After communion, I went up to the choir loft to listen more closely to the choir. I was wearing a jacket for my US college (St. Norbert College in Wisconsin), when one of the choir members came out of the choir, tapped me on the shoulder, and asked if I went to St. Norbert. It turned out she did also – she was a student studying in Salzburg and had joined the choir.
That was over 25 years ago, and I often tell that story to my wife and kids. The cool thing is that in a trip to Europe during Holy Week last week, we visited Salzburg and I was able to bring my wife and daughters (one of whom is now a student in Copenhagen) and point out the church where I spent a Christmas Mass many years ago, and the choir loft where I met a fellow traveler from my small college.
THanks for this gift of sharing the city and rural places of the countries you visit….and for your insights into our common humanity no matter where we travel. It’s an inspiration to view and read about your travels. Thank you!
A lunchtime organ concert in Guildford, Surrey at Holy Trinity St. Mary’s. I don’t know much about organ music, but I know when music is beautiful to my ear. The church is perfect for that sound! I learned about the church and concert at the visitor center. I wasn’t sure that was high on my list, but it was warm and I was tired from walking. I thought it might be cool inside and restful. It was! With the added treat of the wonderful musical performance.
Rick, your question caught me off guard. My initial thought was that I don’t remember any musical serendipities from my travels. But then one popped into my head, and then another and another. What do you know? I do have some musical serendipities! Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed by all the new and exciting senses I am experiencing when I travel to someplace new that I forget to pause and be present. I’m trying to get better with that.
I have 2 wonderful musical memories. The first was in Split, Croatia many years ago: I was traveling alone, and on my first night in the city I was wandering in the narrow alleyways near Diocletian’s palace (in the rain), when I heard someone playing a lovely folk melody. I found a step, sat down, and just enjoyed my own private concert.
The second one occurred in Prague years later, when my husband, some relatives, and I were walking through Old Town at night, and we came upon a woman with a gorgeous voice singing opera arias, right on the street corner. I was mesmerized and lingered awhile, just to soak up the beauty of her gift.