February 14 was another memorable day -- warm & beautiful, from beginning to end. Our day began with a heart attack on our front door by friendly, creative students. We later discovered paper hearts pasted on many surfaces all over the JC.Our Field Trip.
For today's adventure, we rode the Muhlstein Love Bus with some happy, singing students (L-R: Brock, Stacy, Piers, Heidi, Jeni, Lani, Abby, Mallory & Jessica). It was Julianne M's birthday, which added to the mirth.
Along the route, we followed the West Bank Wall--mostly a razor-wire fence.
We saw terraced sedimentary strata growing olive trees and other vegetation--in addition to customary olive orchards on more level ground.
Neot Kedumin. Our destination was a unique garden and nature preserve close to Modi'in, not far from Tel Aviv. Neot means "natural beauty" and Kedumin is an "ancient place" -- where the present learns from the past while preparing for the future. This 625-acre Biblical theme park was once a barren army training ground. Thanks to the visionary botanist Nogah Hareuveni, it is now laced with trails and gorgeous natural vegetation.
On a clear and warm winter day, between rain storms, we saw fields of flowers.
Red poppies were mixed with yellow and blue blooms in a profusion of color.
Flower fields were often lined by blossoming trees.
These are almond trees--the first to bloom, even before sprouting leaves.
The wondrous rod of Aaron came from an almond tree (Numbers 17:8; see D&C 8:7); also the rod of Jeremiah (1:11). Menorah candlesticks were held by bowls, likened to almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33, 37:19-20).
We gathered in outdoor shelters to hear some excellent presentations.
Our main guide and presenter was Iris, very spirited and informative.
Besides explaining Biblical connections to things in nature, she compared sheep & goats. Then all went out to work with these historic animals.
After some initial milling around, soon they got the hang of both leading & driving the goats ahead of the sheep. And just look who else got into the act!
Marilyn ended up leading them. And here they come!
I got to tell how goat's milk saved my life. When first born, my mother couldn't nurse me. I couldn't take cow's milk but I could take our goat's milk, very rich in nutrients. But she was stubborn & ate everything, even clothes off our line, so had to find another home.
Nearby, some donkeys and mules got a pretty good laugh out of this whole scene.
For the upteenth time, the students sang Happy Birthday to Julianne Muhlstein, as she and Kerry mugged for the camera. She loved every part of the day, as did those who were with her (like her little Sabrina).
Sabrina also made some close friends -- Spencer Esplin & Jenny Christensen.
We examined an authentic cistern that stored water vital to agriculture and daily living in both the modern and ancient worlds. Romantic stories of wells incl. Rebecca & Isaac (Gen.24:44--her compassion), Rachel & Jacob (Gen. 29:10--rolling off a great stone), Zipporah & Moses (Exo.2:16-21, driving off enemies), and Jesus with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7--the "living water").
We also enjoyed some culinary delights. First was some delicious date honey--even tasted sweeter than molasses and not as strong.
We also harvested and ground up seeds of fresh hyssop growing nearby.
It is used as a spice in food and as a tea, for medicinal relief from pain or bruises, from fever, colds and lung trouble, to reduce high blood pressure and as a purgative. David said, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean" (Psalms 51:7; see Numbers 19:18). A hyssop reed was even used to offer wine or vinegar to Jesus while dying on the cross (John 19:29).
We also built fires to cook some pita bread, eaten with date honey.
Yum. The Jackson twins (Chelsea & Rachel) agreed. We also cooked and ate parched corn--like Ruth gleaned and Boaz cooked for her (Ruth 2:14).
Next, we visited cultivated terraces where grains were planted and harvested.
Iris explained and demonstrated how this was done, with help from Sabrina.
Nearby was an authentic water wheel. Everyone got to turn it--and to fall down!
Finally, an actual Scribe (from Yemen) demonstrated how to prepare and read a parchment scroll--made from cow or gazelle skins. He wrote with a reed pen and used ink made from pomegranite (durable), almond & oak sap (shiny), charcoal (black) and water. Each scroll has 42 lines: for Moses' 40 days + 2 tablets. He had help from some students and Dr. Kerry Muhlstein.
The weather and the setting was perfect for a romantic Valentine's day!
That night we, the Ohmans & Weinsteins dined at Modern (next to the Israel Museum), then went to the Israel Philharmonic -- celebrating its 75th anniversary plus 60 years at this same site and 50 years with Zubin Mehta as conductor (now its "Music Director for Life").
Concert Hall. Part of the Int'l Convention Center -- largest in the Middle East -- the Menahem Ussishkin auditorium (named for an early Zionist) seated 3,104.
The 2/14/11 program included symphonies by Haydn & Schubert and Bartok's Piano Concerto #2, amazingly played by Yefrim Bronfman. The best came afterwards. At Neomi Weinstein's insistence, we met Maestro Mehta in his own "green room"! He was very gracious & signed our program -- just before taking his IPO on a USA tour that ended at his beloved Los Angeles.
I told him that the night before, I had actually dreamed of meeting him. We often heard & admired him after we moved to LA in 1968, soon after he took over the LA Philharmonic. He seemed pleased to meet us, but not nearly as pleased as we were!
The day ended as well as it began -- a great one to remember!
2nd Concert: On 6/6/11 our same group returned for another musical feast. After Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice, young Russian violinist Vadim Repin dazzled with the Bruch Concerto #1 and a rousing encore on his 1743 Guarneri violin. Then Israeli-raised Principal Guest Conductor Yoel Levi led the Tschaikovsky 6th Symphony ("Pathetique") -- premiered by the composer himself conducting less than two weeks before he died on 6 Nov. 1893.
3rd IPO Concert: On 6/27/11, we returned to Karma. En route we passed the familiar "David's Harp" and the infamous Holyland Apts. [A former Israeli Pres. was indicted for taking bribes.]
Karma's classic exterior was enhanced by a backdrop of church steeples. [See Jan. '12 post, Ein Kerem.]
Outdoor seating was great on a balmy evening -- unless it is too breezy. Mountain views were terrific, both inside and outside of Karma.
The 6/28/11 concert was all Sir James Galway. After a Mozart Flute concerto & Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Walzes came the evening's highlight: Pied Piper Fantasy. After some opening bars, he came out in a court jester's outfit.
He battled hordes of musical rats, then was joined on the stage by 30 teenagers -- after they came piping down both auditorium aisles.
He then led them off the stage and around the hall, out the door, behind the stage and back onto it from a side door for the grand finale. They stayed for his 3 encores -- incl. Danny Boy (He said, "Be sure you pray during this piece. You know what happens if you don't pray? Nothing!") Finally, he played the fastest Bach piece we have ever heard. Another night to remember -- especially for the 30 young pipers! Graciously, he applauded for them too. We think he enjoyed it as much as they did.
4th Concert. On 7/26/11, I came with 16 students while Marilyn awaited news that Michelle had delivered Mary Johanna Mortensen (grandchild #14). Again led by Zubin Mehta, it was our 2nd all-Spanish-music concert that week, after an amazing violin/piano duo at the JC on Sunday, 7/24/11. [See Sept. '10 post, Hosting at the JC]
Next young Javier Perianes, pianist, brilliantly performed Manuel de Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain. His encore was de Falla's Ritual Fire Dance.
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After Debussy's Iberia came Ravel's Bolero--with projected underwater & wildlife images and a spectacular "above water" dance scene led by Ido Tadmor.
We all had a great time -- even on the van going to & from the JC. [Front row: Wayna, Jennifer, Holly, Adam, Elise, ___ & Ariel. Back: Justin, Tyson, Megan, Jenny, Ashley, Becca, Dallin, T.C. & Morgan]
On 2/14/12 I left this valentine for Marilyn: "Even better than Whitney Houston can sing it -- 'I Will Always Love You." That referred to her best hit song ever (composed by Dolly Parten) -- 14 weeks as #1 on Billboard. We first heard it in her 1992 movie debut "The Bodyguard" co-starring Kevin Costner -- while we were on vacation in Maui, HI. Marilyn's mother died that same week.
Drugs & alcohol tragically ended a beautiful life & career
On a happier note, Nancy & Kent Jackson decked their doorway with streaming hearts for Valentine's Day on 2/14/12.
On 2/15/12 Marilyn went with Eran & Neomi to choose a new 9' Steinway Concert Grand in Tel Aviv for the JC Auditorium. She learned and played a Chopin nocturne, with a very large range of notes & dynamics. She said it was the best piano she had ever played!
5th Concert. On Sunday 2/19/12 we enjoyed our final IPO concert. It was a night to remember. After our 4th dinner at Karma (salmon fettucini), we wandered until finally finding the ICC Ushishkin Hall.
We had time to peruse the crowd that filled the lobby for coffee & treats.
This time we sat in the balcony in line with the piano. As the hall filled, we spotted the Telmans in their usual aisle seats.
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Conducting was Peter Oundjian -- Music Director of both the Toronto Symphony & Scottish Nat'l Orch. A violinist from England & Julliard, he taught for 30 years at Yale Univ. His IPO premiere started with a short, modern IPO premiere of "Torque" (by Canada's Gary Kulesha).
Then came Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #3, played by Yuja Wang -- also known for playing in orange dresses. From Beijing, Canada and USA, she was only 24 years old and debuted in 2005. Since, she has played with nearly every major orchestra in the world. This was her IPO premiere.
She brought muscular power to this prodigiously difficult concerto.
She also brought amazing delicacy, speed & grace to that and her 2 encores.
After intermission came Rachmaninoff's last composition: his magnificent 1940 Symphonic Dances -- first composed for 2 pianos. A Soviet refugee, this composer-pianist-conductor was also devoutly religious. He died 1943 in Los Angeles. This concert was worth missing the JC's baroque concert for.
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