Historic Organs of ALSACE May 23-June 7, 2020 16 Days with J
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historic organs of ALSACE May 23-June 7, 2020 16 Days with J. Michael Barone INVITATION a canny cohabitation of French éclat and from Silbermann and his son. Since German gravitas. Some of this style was these Silbermann organs also proved he Alsacian region on the west bank transferred by his younger brother and themselves as excellent vehicles for the Tof the Upper Rhine has been in an ac- apprentice Gottfried (1683-1753) when music of Bach, it was not long before tive cultural dynamic since the establish- he returned home to work for the Saxon Albert Schweitzer, a native Alsacian ment of a wine-making industry there king, building stellar instruments quite from Gunsbach, joined in the fray, and by the Romans in 58 BC. Since then, unlike the central-German norm (which the ‘organ reform’ movement was begun. through the rules of Clovis and Lothar, some of you may have seen and heard Charles the Bald and Louis the German, during our most recent PIPEDREAMS Perhaps you will be able to join me over and later as a result of realignments dur- Tour). a glass of Alsacian wine to discuss the ing the Holy Roman Empire, the culture distinct qualities of German and French has existed in a lively tension between This tension resurfaced at the turn of instruments, the relative merits of his- German and French influences which the twentieth century when Emile Rupp, toricity and progress, and the delight we happily now advantageously coexist in a a student of Widor and organist at St. all should celebrate in differences. Come balanced blend. Paul’s Church in Strasbourg, entered along on our latest journey…an amazing into a heated debate with Adolphe adventure is guaranteed! Certainly we all benefitted from the Gessner, organist of the garrison church, decision of Andreas Silbermann (1678- St. Maurice, over the relative quality of 1734) to leave his native Saxony and the ‘new’ organs of the day (by primar- learn the craft of organ building in ily German builders) as compared with Alsace, where his instruments represent the ‘vintage’ French-leaning instruments THE ALSACE REGION along the Rhine River border between France and Germany has been the subject of a centuries-long tug of war between the two countries, and is all the more exciting and beautiful for it. The sense of cross-pollination surfaces in the architec- ture, the language, the arts, the cuisine, the wine and of course, the organs. Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse are the notable cities and they are embraced by quaint villages of brightly-painted, steep-roofed half-timbered houses. In economic terms, Alsace is part of the Rhine valley corridor, one of the most important trading routes in Europe since the Middle Ages. Consequently its economic activity has always depended as much on its Germanic neighbors as on links with other parts of France, and as a result the region has long been one of the most prosperous in France. STRASBOURG is the formal seat of the the Vosges mountains, at the heart of European Parliament and the capital of three European countries: France, Ger- Alsace. The city is home of the Gothic many and Switzerland. Thanks to its Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg distinctive historical buildings, from the ITINERARY with its animated astronomical clock medieval old French city to the 19th-cen- SAT 23 MAY Depart U.S. and has one of Europe’s largest medieval tury industrial boom, Mulhouse was the SUN 24 MAY Arrive Strasbourg quarters. In Grand Île and Petite France first Alsatian city designated as a “Ville MON 25 MAY Strasbourg cobbled streets and canals weave be- TUE 26 MAY Strasbourg d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and His- WED 27 MAY Strasbourg tween crooked, timber-framed houses tory), a label of excellence for its unique THU 28 MAY Strasbourg/Mulhouse that have survived for hundreds of years. heritage. FRI 29 MAY Mulhouse The Grande Île was the first city center SAT 30 MAY Mulhouse/Colmar SUN 31 MAY Colmar to be classified entirely as a World Heri- COLMAR: Nestled among vineyards, MON 01 JUN Colmar tage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg is the its traditional houses, canals, floral dis- TUE 02 JUN Colmar/Strasbourg ninth largest city of France with nearly plays, amazing cuisine, famous wines WED 03 JUN Strasbourg half a million inhabitants in a metropoli- THU 04 JUN Strasbourg and charming accommodation make FRI 05 JUN Strasbourg tan area. The city itself is the seat of the it an outstanding microcosm of Alsace SAT 06 JUN Strasbourg Council of Europe, the European Court of - showcasing its lifestyle, conviviality SUN 07 JUN Return to U.S. Human Rights, the European Ombuds- and hospitality. Despite a population of HOTELS man, the Eurocorps, the European Au- nearly 70,000, Colmar retains a ‘country diovisual Observatory and, of course, the town’ atmosphere which contributes so European Parliament (which also holds much to its charm. Aside from the lav- Strasbourg: Hotel Diana Dauphine Mulhouse: Hotel du Parc sessions in Brussels). Needless to say, this ishness of Alsatian wine (mostly whites Colmar: Grand Hotel Bristol high toned presence in Europe has given in a Germanic tradition), Colmar is also the city a vibrant cultural life to match. renowned for its superbly preserved old town, adorned with timber-framed wood MULHOUSE: This industrial powerhouse houses that reflect an exceptional blend is situated between the Rhine River and of Germanic and French architecture. TOUR CONDITIONS WHAT’S INCLUDED? COST SUMMARY PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Your reservation and de- posit of $750 per person are requested immedi- 5 ACCOMMODATION: Fourteen nights ately to fulfill the group deadline requirements. accommodation in 4-star hotels, double $4999 Note that space is limited and reservations are occupancy, with private facilities. Hotels as taken on a first come, first served basis. Final pay- listed or similar. Free wi-fi included. Airfare not included ment is due March 16, 2020. For credit card pay- 5 MEALS: Breakfast daily, box lunches on oc- Tour Gratuities ($100)................................................ Included ment APM accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover or casion, one lunch at the presbytery of Albert Costs per person based on double occupancy in USD American Express. IMPORTANT: Credit card pay- Schweitzer’s parish church, and five dinners; Optional Individual Supplement ments cannot be accepted via email. wine included with farewell dinner. Single Room......................................................................... $999 5 GROUND TRANSPORT: Transfers and In addition to base tour cost. Limited availability REFUND POLICY: All cancellations must be in transportation by deluxe motorcoach. Two and smaller room size than doubles. writing. There is no refund for partial or unused group arrival and departure transfers will be land arrangements. The following penalties will provided on first and last day. Costs: The tour cost is per person based on double occupan- apply: Up to January 15, 2020 - $100 per person 5 SIGHTSEEING/PROGRAMMING: Extensive cy, tariffs and currency valuations as of October 2019, a mini- administrative fee plus any unrecoverable depos- mum of 25 travelers, and subject to confirmation. While we organ-related programming throughout will do everything possible to maintain the listed price and/or its; January 16 – May 8, 2020 – Deposit plus any (arranged by Carolyn Shuster Fournier); unrecoverable payments to hotels, tour operators itinerary, they are subject to change due to circumstances be- honoraria and entrance fees included. yond our control. Single room supplements may have limited or airlines; May 9, 2020 or after– No refund. Medium-range ticket for one concert. availability and are on a request basis only. 5 PORTERAGE: Luggage handling of one LATE BOOKINGS: Passengers registering within Items Not Included thirty days of tour departure will be charged a $50 piece per person. • Airfare to/from Strasbourg; please contact Accolades if per person fee. Tour payment in full is required 5 PROFESSIONAL GUIDE: Mr. Tim Schmutzler you would like assistance. before we can request and confirm space. This serving as the professional tour manager/ • Fuel surcharges and/or tax increases levied since the fee does not cover any additional ground service guide. pricing of this tour. 5 ORGAN EXPERT: Ms. Carolyn Shuster • Beverages other than coffee/tea at breakfast. charges. • Any meal or sightseeing item not listed in the itinerary. Fournier serving as the accompanying • Items of a personal nature. organ impresario. • Optional travel protection: trip cancellation/interruption, 5 GRATUITIES: Gratuities to drivers and guide baggage delay/loss, emergency accident and sickness (for your convenience, $100 per person has medical expense, and emergency evacuation/repatria- been included). tion. Please refer to the Travel Protection section. • Passport fees. A passport valid six months beyond date 5 ALL THE INFO YOU NEED: Comprehensive PRE-EXISTING of reentry to the U.S. is required. documentation including travel accessory, • No entry visa is required for U.S. citizens; non-U.S. citizens medical conditions and other bag tags, name badges, flight and land may require an entry visa. circumstances are covered itineraries, destination literature, customs This tour requires when travel protection is purchased information, travel tips and more. within 14 days of registration. considerable Contact Travel Insured for more info. 800-243-3174 walking. Please check with Accolades if you have any questions. RESERVATION APPLICATION • PHOTOCOPY, CLIP AND MAIL OR FAX - DO NOT EMAIL Pipedreams: Alsace • May 23-June 7, 2020 • (G#200508) • Nicole Greenly • American Public Media • 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 (Name as it appears on passport) 1. ______________________________________________________________________________ Male Female Date of Birth _____________________ First Name MIddle Name Last Name Month/Day/Year 2. ________________________________________________________________ Male Female Date of Birth_____________________ First Name MIddle Name Last Name Month/Day/Year Address (no P.O. boxes) _________________________________________________________ Tel.