A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
Well, Ricochet, it's that time of the year: I am preparing to debark on my annual visit to see my family in Seattle. This summer, my mother is celebrating her final season as artistic director of the Seattle Chamber Music Festival:
For the moment, all is quiet at Toby Saks' house, and the only sound is the gentle burble of the coffee maker as we grab some caffeine en route to an interview in the living room. But when it's festival time, the house is jumping day and night: Dozens of musicians stream in and out, practice their instruments in the guest rooms, rehearse chamber music together, gather around the dining-room table for meals, and whoop it up after yet another roof-raising concert down at Benaroya Hall.
It's noisy; it's hectic. But Saks, who founded the festival 30 years ago and is now celebrating her final season as its artistic director, truly loves the many sounds of her festival. That's why, when Saks' hand-picked successor, James Ehnes, takes over next year, there still will be lots of activity at the house Saks shares with her husband, the eminent gastroenterologist Dr. Martin Greene. She'll stay with the festival in an associate-director role, on hand for consultations and hosting and fundraising. And the house — where Ehnes usually stays when he's in town — will remain Command Central when it's festival time.
In other words--how often do you get to say this--I'll be literally watching people fiddle while Rome burns.
Here's what you can expect from me in the coming few weeks:
- Rita and Betty meet the TSA! I'll be flying from Istanbul to Seattle via O'Hare with two large, freaked-out, Turkish street dogs. Some fool tries to touch their junk--or mine, for that matter--you'll probably see it on the nightly news.
- Reassurance to my Turkish friends: No, really, Seattle is quite safe! (You see, people here think that the second you step off the plane in America, you're at high risk of being whacked by marauding Mormons armed to the eyeteeth with the semi-automatic weapons that Americans sell in vending machines to recently-released psychiatric patients as a matter of public policy.) Don't worry, Turkish friends, I know how to get by in America--you stick with the chamber musicians, they take care of you.
- Political conversations that are going to make me bang my head against the wall. They're coming. It's Seattle. I just have to resolve to maintain the Code of Conduct at all times. I live, breath and embody the Code of Conduct. I am the Code of Conduct, and the Code of Conduct is me.
- High psychological drama: Will two weeks in America make me relax about the state of world? Or will it push me right over the edge? I don't know and neither do you!
So, Ricochet, my flight leaves in a few hours, and then I'll be out of touch for a day or so. I'll report soon from the Family Homestead.
Meanwhile, keep calm and carry on.
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Mar '11
Re: A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
semi-automatic weapons that Americans sell in vending machines
We have those now? Outtasight! No more standing in line waiting for my local arms dealer to drive up and open up the back of his van!
Apr '11
Re: A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
If you would like to meet in Seattle at some point, give a holler!
Good luck with the pooches and congratulations to your mother: it is a much loved event.
Dec '10
Re: A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
I'll wave at you from across the sound. I'm not going into that liberal morass unless I absolutely have to.
Sep '10
Re: A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
Hey, baby, I hear the blues a'callin'— tossed salad and scrambled eggs. Oh my. And maybe I seem a bit confused— well, maybe—but I got you pegged— ha HA! And now I don't know what to do with my tossed salad and scrambled eggs. They're callin' again. Good night, Seattle, we love you!!
Aug '10
Re: A Savage Journey to the Heart of Chambermusikistan
Marauding Mormons, renegade Lutherans, watch out Psuedo. What's next, Arminians run amok? Welcome back to the States, Claire. Safe travels.