Just got back from a short visit to the south of France.? The legendary French Riviera really is lovely.? I had the good fortune to be able to play a little music for about 100 people gathered for a week-end meditation retreat.? I got a group together with Czech, Slovak, Austrian and Irish boys in attendance.? We played under the stars in the evening.?? Fortunately Sadanand, our percussionist, got his hands on a set of tablas at the last minute, thereby avoiding his having to play the pots we had in our kitchen (which actually sounded pretty good during the rehearsal).
Next week I?m off to St-Petersburg for a few days.? Hope to see the Hermitage museum and play a little music also.?? By the way, If you want to go to Russia, you have to have your visa issued in your country of residence.? I had some adventures in that respect and if anyone can benefit from my complications, so much the better.
Otherwise I?m basing myself in Salzburg.? It really is a charming city that lends itself well to an artistic disposition.? So much of the city is small pedestrian streets.? It?s like stereotypical European charm; almost like it?s a caricature of itself for a North American such as myself.? I wouldn?t be that surprised if one day I turn a corner and come face to face with Julie Andrews.? In fact I do come face to face with Mozart frequently as his picture is ubiquitously present throughout the city.? Salzburgers have definitely cashed in on their favorite son.? And why shouldn?t they.? As a great composer once told me: Mozart wasn?t a composer. He was a channel (for divine music).