Comments on: Recharging Batteries while Sight-Seeing and Sailing

By: Jerome

Jerome — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:03:44 +0000

Hi Alban,
It’s great that you are discussing a return to our fair city of Louisville.Do you have any idea what you will be playing if you can work out the details? It would be nice if you would give some thought to the Britten Symphony,Barber concerto or that yummy Misakovsky c minor concerto.I’m not suggesting to you what you should play,just wishing that I could be in attendence of a performance of one those works some day.But,anything that you choose would be a real treat indeed! We don’t have many great cellist come here any longer.

It’s a travesty here in America how people don’t support the arts the way we once did.Here in Louisville,when I was in music school in the 70’s,we had a vibrant arts community.Yo-Yo Ma,Janos Starker,Bernard Greenhouse,Itzak Pearlman,Murray Perahia and many others once graced our fair city.But,due to economic concerns and decreased musical activity in our school system, the great community support that we once enjoyed has all but vanished.That is why up and coming artists of your ablities are welcomed with open arms!

Best Wishes,
Jerome

By: Alban

Alban — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:33:55 +0000

Hi Christina, thanks for checking in! Yes, life is tough, but that’s what makes it special.
Best wishes from Berlin to Leipzig,
Alban

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:50:49 +0000

Hi, Alban!

From the 12th of July, I am in Leipzig. Every evening, we have concert.
Today as always, lots of works and I needed a break(At this moment, the concert is on…..), So, I checked my emails and read your recent news.
Life is sometimes tough to us…. though it is so worthy to live.

I would love to listen to your Suites!!!
I hope to see you soon again,
Christina

By: Alban

Alban — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:48:11 +0000

Dear Jerome,
thanks for your supportive comment, this must have been very difficult for you to loose your mother with 17. For me it would have been horrible at that age. Now at 38 I feel much more independent, not removed, but I know she won’t leave us for good (even though I am not really religious) but will be waiting somewhere, and watching over us.
A propos Kentucky: I think we are looking at dates for me to come back in a year or two, so check my calendar in a month or so. Yes, JÃ¡nos is our son’s name, didn’t name him after Starker directly (my grandma was Hungarian, and I always loved that name), but Starker was somehow involved in making him; he recommended me to a presenter in Puerto Rico, and at that concert I met my wife… But yes, I admire Janos Starker very much, wonderful cellist and teacher! Hope to meet you in Louisville next time. All best, Alban

Dear George, there will be a radio recording of three of the Suites on August 2nd, I think Deutschlandradio is taping it, which makes me even more nervous. Best of luck for your father, good that you see him so often.
Best wishes,
Alban

By: George

George — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:34:28 +0000

Best of luck with your August 2nd performance..I hope someone will be recording them…maybe a pirated version will appear on YouTube!!

My dad is 92 and in failing health it is difficult watching someone who was once incredibly big in life & robust slip away. I relish the times I have with him, and visit regularly..he is about 100 miles away from where I live. I have made sure that he knows how special he is to me.

By: Jerome

Jerome — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:29:05 +0000

Dear Alban,

I am in sympathy for you and mother,I watched my mother suffer for years with complications from diabetes, untill her death when I was seventeen.Just keep up what you doing,making her life as pleasant as you can,that is of great value.

I became a great fan of yours every since I heard you play here in Louisville Kentucky a few years back,and if you are ever in the region again I will surely make an effort to attend.

You mentioned the name of Janos in your last blog,would that happen to be your childs name?If so, has it any thing to do with Mr.Starker? Of the cellist of that era,Mr.Starker is my favorite,his playing is what I have always aspired to,although the talent to acheive such a high level alludes me,it still inspires.I can think of a few mordern day cellist that do the same for me,you,Tina Guo and although a bit older than you guys, Truls Mork. My point in mentioning these other people is to thank you and all of those that keep advancing the art of cello playing to the level of the great violinists.Keep up the awsome work.

Sincerley,
Jerome