Towards the concert

My dear Friends
As I am slowly building towards the 'Music at Starbucks' I bear in mind that Benigna (whom you see on the picture on the right with me) used to play the piano at these muscial events, sometimes in a hall but now and again in the house at Newton Road. With its beautiful drawing room and elegant Blutner grand piano, the house was very conducive to music- making.

Sometimes we would have a cellist and a soprano who would sing duets with me, which was rather nice. This was in the days when I was concentrating more on the classical side of my music.My favourite duet, which I sang with my friend Fay, is the 'Recordare' from the Verdi Requiem, a really sublime piece. But we sang Purcell and Mendelsohn duets as well.

The one advantage of playing with the guitar is that the music reaches more people and that the people can sing along: in this is the Reconciliation in that the common singing rises up in a kind of prayer, asking for the healing of the world. The combination of Jewish music, trad folk and songs of the 60's seems to touch on the human condition with also 'something for everyone.'

People can relive their own personal memories when I play this music: I sang to the man who came to fix the boiler and it was a beautiful experience. He told me that it was the first time in 25 years that he had been serenaded!

So, if any of you are coming along to Starbucks on Wednesday, I invite you to relive your memories, sing along and just chill out with a cup of coffee. Enjoy!

Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila