We are eager to have your opinion, suggestions, comments and advice on improving the performances and  presentations of Stamford’s Friends of Music. You may contact the Webmaster or Dorothy Aldrich by e-mail or by snail mail or telephone. The following communications have been received.

SUBSTITUTE PIANIST IS POWERFUL PERFORMER 

By Celin Schoen 

Often last-minute substitutes prove disappointing, but the performer called in by the Friends of Music for their November 16 [2003] concert at the Cyr Center was anything but that.  In fact, those attending got a preview of the pianist’s Carnegie Hall debut scheduled for next Sunday.

 Antti Hotti, a musician from Helsinki, Finland, currently living in New York City, was called in to replace the Friends of Music’s scheduled performer, Ivan Yanakov, when the latter was unable to get a visa to leave Bulgaria.  He astounded many of his listeners by the power of his playing, leaving one of them to say later that his rendition of the Bach A-minor Suite “blew me away.” 

 In addition to the Bach piece, Hotti also played the Sonata in A flat by Haydn.  His next choice was work by his homeland’s great composer, Jan Sibelius, the Nocturne, Romance and Valse from Opus 24.  His rendition of the Nocturne called forth images ranging from gentle moonlight to the intensity of bubbling lava, while the Valse increased in tempo to a whirling ending.

 This was followed by four lively mazurkas by Chopin, and finally, Variations on a Theme by Chopin by Rachmaninoff.   In the latter, the grand piano itself vibrated to his handling of the powerful number.

 After a standing ovation, the performer returned to play a charming, and very rapid, Sibelius waltz.

 Following the performance, he relaxed as he chatted with guests.  He is looking forward to his Carnegie Hall performance, but admits to “a few butterflies.” Currently in his second visit to the U S., he is enjoying walking around the city, seeing many of its attractions, including seeing the city at night from the Brooklyn Bridge, and standing at the heights of Ft. Tryon Park to enjoy the view of the Hudson River and the Palisades beyond.  He plans to return home early next year. 

February 13, 2006,
“Dear Dorothy,
Bombastiq Brass has been playing at Friends of Music of Stamford for several years in a row. it is always a highlight of our season; the audience could not be more attentive, the venue is beautiful, and the presenters are the most gracious, appreciative people. May this gem of a chamber music series thrive!”
Karl.

“It was a great pleasure playing in your series indeed! The audience was appreciative, the setting is intimate, and the Steinway grand --- a beauty! Wishing you many more successful seasons to come!”
----Ren Zhang, pianist

February 14, 2006,
“I greatly enjoyed both of the performances that I have had for  the Stamford Friends of Music. Just getting to Stamford is a beautiful trip into the Catskills. Both times when I have came, Ilkka Kalliomaa and hiswife have been very hospitable in welcoming me to their house before the concert. The concert venue is wonderfully intimate yet well attended, and the piano is beautiful. In short, there is nothing lacking, which is why I am looking forward to returning again this spring.”
David Shimoni.

February 15, 2006,
“Dear Friends of Music! I take a lot of pride in being invited to perform for you with the Hartwick College Chamber Choir over the past few years. Not only we have always felt very welcome and appreciated by your audience, but now - before our next performance - we feel like we will be coming home! Thank you for your warm hospitality and superb organization. Your community is truly blessed.
Jirka.

March 3, 2006
“The beautiful setting, beautiful piano, beautiful audience, and beautiful music...we all became friends because we are friends of music. I’d love to play there again some time.”
Yuan(China)

March 5, 2006
"...congratulation to the 20th anniversary of Friends of Music of  Stamford!!! It was a great pleasure for both of us to play in this area. Specially in Stamford! I enjoy the beautiful sound of the Grand Piano and the warm atmosphere of this special place and the wonderful people! And last but not least, your thoughtfulness, Dorothy, gives this event the finishing touch!!!! Thank You!!! We have the best memories from our concert and from
the kindness and love of those present people! Good luck for the following 20 years!!! to be continued????

Yours affectionately, Enikö Török"

November 6, 2006
I want to tell you what a pleasure it was to play for your very special audience.  First of all, the room itself is so lovely, a beautiful, warm setting, and the people who attended were so attentive and responsive. You can really feel the connection with an audience when they are truly listening.  It is a very reciprocal experience.Many thanks and congratulations on your 20^th anniversary!

Millette A.

May 30, 2007
It was a pleasure for us to perform on your excellent concert series. Thank you for all that you did to make the concert such a success We were talking all the way home in the car about the full house you had and that it was such a cultured and appreciative audience.
We would love to come back and perform a new program for you next season. Please keep us in mind.  We have some other great programs that we could present.

Wishing you all the best for the summer and thank you again for all that you did to make our concert go smoothly.

Sincerely, Murray Colosimo