Nadia Boulanger, Music Teacher ... !

Hi George, I went to Ojai again this early June, 2nd year for the new bandshell and seats so all much better.  In the row behind us 2 old women talking with younger(my age) couple. She had mentioned studying in Paris. Next concert before many people were there my friend and I asked her about it, she had to study to get a Fulbright scholarship THEN she studied with Boulanger......  Said it was very hard work and she met some incredible people.  Then the flood of people drowned her out.  WOW  WOW  Wow!

The other couple were so much fun to talk to and have a summer home up there, I told them "Same time next year but we're going to have to  have lunch or dinner together"  they thought that was a great idea.

It was Leif Ove Andsness  and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.  They were just incredible.  Look it up on the web I don't remember the other pianists name, they did a 2 piano version or Rite of Spring, incredible performance.

George, this was a very special treat to watch and has reminded me again of the magnitude of shear breadth of her talent and influence for most of the 20th century.  As a pianist, I have long looked up to her in awe and reverence.  It is hard to avoid given her legendary standing in the musical community in which she was on top of for so long.  Her understanding of musical structure remains unprecedented.

Let's not forget about her younger sister, Lili Boulanger, as well.  Tragic to even think about what a loss it was to lose her at 24 years of age.  What a combination it could have been had she lived a long life as well.  Nadia and Lili were fortunate to have come from a long line of musicians but sadly were the end of that line.  As an aside, if memory serves me, I was always fascinated by the fact that their father was in his seventies when he had both Nadia and Lili.

Best Regards,

Doug

Wonderful George, thank you.