The Singing Cook (cont 2)
...or how not to make it to an organ recital
I've had some down-to-the-wire experiences in my life, but this one took the cake! The kicker is that, had all our
connections not gone off like clockwork, we never would have made it. I'll certainly think twice about ever putting
myself in that position again!
My previous insanity record was playing 3 completely different recitals on 3
radically different organs, in 3 different cities in the space of 36 hours. But that was all in Bavaria, with
excellent train connects. Trying to make it from the hinterlands of southern Italy to an equally remote place in
Denmark was "un poco pazzo!"
We had planned to spend some time in Copenhagen, but as the large five-room apartment in the castle was free, we stuck
around Hillerod for four extra days of R&R. I didn't have to play until the next Saturday and Sunday evenings
in Naples, and Hillerød had two excellent organs on which to practice. As I was playing completely different
repertoire in Naples, this was no small consideration. Besides, two other factors weighed in.
I have family in Hillerød, what we Scandinavians refer to as "slekt" cousins. Your second cousin twice removed is
"family." I had met my "cousin" Ib Topfer and his lovely wife Grethe on my last trip to Denmark, and had greatly
enjoyed spending time with them. This time we also met their daughter Karen, a beautiful and charming woman.
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