Schoenbrunn Palace

Touring in Vienna

(This report was filed by Roger and Janet Samuel at 2:30 p.m. at Los Angeles International Airport on July 8, 1997.)

The Danube was threatening to flood, and the rains continued to pour on us on our last concert day and on Monday, the day we flew from Vienna to Frankfurt and home again. These are unseasonable rains for Vienna, which is usually sunny and host to many outdoor music adventures during July.

On Monday, the students toured Vienna despite the rain. The large group split into several smaller groups who toured the Schoenbrunn Palace where they had played the day before, St. Stephens, the Hapsburg Crypts, the opera house, and the Imperial Palace. Many just shopped and shopped and shopped. Chilly and wet, one group sought refuge in charming Vienna coffee shops.

Monday night was a special farewell dinner filled with touching tributes and moving speeches. The dinner was a buffet in the tradition of the Vienna Woods Heuriger. What began with vineyard owners tasting the new wine in the summer and fall has grown into a feast with wine, bread, and sausage or, in our case, a glorious spread where everything tasted fresh and homemade. This was the occasion when the students presented CYMO t-shirts and sweatshirts to the bus drivers and tour guides. Daniel Song (Bus A), Mike Bartley and Stacie Guthrie (Bus B), and Ethan Brown (Bus C or Heine) thanked the drivers and made the presentations. The drivers--Stephan, Horst, and Sepp--then spoke touchingly of their groups. We and Greg Samuel also addressed the group, and Robert Ozaki presented an extra gratuity to the drivers.

The two flights home were long but comfortable. A few students didn't sleep at all Monday night; nevertheless, all but one of the 4:30 a.m. wake-ups were punctual. Check-in for that group was delayed in Vienna, but the Frankfurt departure was smooth and speedy. Because of the weather, both groups had turbulent flights from Vienna to Frankfurt, but, once in the air in Frankfurt the flight was free from disturbances.

A CYMO version of musical chairs occurred on the first group's flight. Peter Chen was literally wedged between his giant bass and "ein grosse mann" (check our German, Stacie). Not only that, the woman in front of the bass couldn't recline her seat. Roger did some diplomatic shuffling so that the lady moved away from the bass, Peter had a couple seats in front, and Peter's large former companion had only the bass to share three seats.

When the first group arrived at LAX, they looked pretty bleary-eyed as they stepped off the plane. When they finally emerged at the lower international arrival gate they were greeted by a delighted and cheering group of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. Almost all the students were wearing their CYMO t-shirts, and by staying together, no one was checked going through customs. The second group was also on time. The only a few were held up getting through immigration by a temporarily misplaced passport.

This is a good opportunity to express some special thanks to many who contributed to the success of the trip. The chaperones were terrific. Seldom have so many paid so much to work so hard. Dr. and Mrs. Tiep certainly had their hands full while treating the many who were stricken by an upper respiratory infection. Robert Ozaki, Jane Chen, and Rod Hoover worked hard as bus leaders. Carson Hawk lent expensive recording equipment that Greg, international jazz performer, used to record all the concerts. (We hope to make a CD of the music performed on the tour.) Gail Samuel, General Manager of Artistic Affairs of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, gave valuable assistance and advice to us before the tour including how to expedite check-in procedures. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the CYMO Board, including President Karen Cahill and especially to Ruby Simpson, whose dream of a European tour has been realized.

We really haven't had time to assess every aspect of the tour, but we must acknowledge our producer and tour company for their lavish expenditures on the rented instruments, percussion and harp. They were excellent instruments, the "Porsches" of their class. The halls we played in were varied and beautiful, representing some of the finest in Europe, perhaps the world.

As we mentioned, the final dinner was a time of farewells to our drivers and guides. For some of the older students it was a time for nostalgia and thinking of good-byes. We had to remind most of our students that this was the end of the tour but certainly not the end of CYMO. In fact, the tour marks a commencement of our new season. Students need to prepare for September auditions. Yes, practice! Of course, if you are already a CYMO member you will receive the letters about the 1997-98 season auditions. Anyone else interested in learning more about the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra or receiving audition information, can send e-mail to Janet Samuel at RJSCYMO@aol.com or write to Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra, P. O. Box 722, Claremont, CA 91711. Phone (909) 624-9553.

Tour of Schoenbrunn Palace (in German)

Go on to Day 14 - Return to Los Angeles

Return to Main Tour Page.

(WebMaestro's comments)

We have heard that Kavi's relatives in India have been following the tour.

This page is maintained by Lewis Johnson. For questions or comments please write to lewis_johnson@eee.org.