Historic Organs of ALSACE May 22-June 6, 2021 16 Days with J
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historic organs of ALSACE May 22-June 6, 2021 16 Days with J. Michael Barone INVITATION Certainly we all benefitted from the deci- ing instruments from Silbermann and his These are unprecedented times, with sion of Andreas Silbermann (1678-1734) son. Since these Silbermann organs also much uncertainty for all of us. Even so, be- to leave his native Saxony and learn the proved themselves as excellent vehicles yond the unravelling of our plans in 2020, craft of organ building in Alsace, where his for the music of Bach, it was not long be- I want to be optimistic about 2021. So, de- instruments represent a canny cohabita- fore Albert Schweitzer, a native Alsacian spite the disappointment of our previous tion of French éclat and German gravitas. from Gunsbach, joined in the fray, and the cancellation, since so much planning had Some of this style was transferred by his ‘organ reform’ movement was begun. been done on its behalf I’d like to take this younger brother and apprentice Gottfried opportunity to re-invite you to participate (1683-1753) when he returned home to Perhaps you will be able to join me over in that same Adventure in Alsace for the work for the Saxon king, building stellar a glass of Alsacian wine to discuss the coming year. instruments quite unlike the central-Ger- distinct qualities of German and French man norm (which some of you may have instruments, the relative merits of histo- The Alsacian region on the west bank seen and heard during our most recent ricity and progress, and the delight we all of the Upper Rhine has been in an active PIPEDREAMS Tour). should celebrate in differences. cultural dynamic since the establishment of a wine-making industry there by the This tension resurfaced at the turn of the With hopes that the uncertainties of Romans in 58 BC. Since then, through the twentieth century when Emile Rupp, a 2020 will be clarified in 2021, I invite you rules of Clovis and Lothar, Charles the student of Widor and organist at St. Paul’s to consider coming along on our revived Bald and Louis the German, and later as Church in Strasbourg, entered into a heat- journey...an amazing Alsacian Adventure a result of realignments during the Holy ed debate with Adolphe Gessner, organist is guaranteed! Roman Empire, the culture has existed of the garrison church, St. Maurice, over in a lively tension between German and the relative quality of the ‘new’ organs of French influences which happily now ad- the day (by primarily German builders) as vantageously coexist in a balanced blend. compared with the ‘vintage’ French-lean- 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 22 MAY Depart U.S. for and has one of Europe’s largest medieval tury industrial boom, Mulhouse was the Frankfurt or Strasbourg SUN 23 MAY Strasbourg quarters. In Grand Île and Petite France first Alsatian city designated as a “Ville MON 24 MAY Strasbourg cobbled streets and canals weave be- d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and His- TUE 25 MAY Strasbourg tween crooked, timber-framed houses tory), a label of excellence for its unique WED 26 MAY Strasbourg that have survived for hundreds of years. THU 27 MAY Strasbourg/Mulhouse heritage. FRI 28 MAY Mulhouse The Grande Île was the first city center SAT 29 MAY Mulhouse/Colmar to be classified entirely as a World Heri- COLMAR: Nestled among vineyards, SUN 30 MAY Colmar tage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg is the MON 31 MAY Colmar its traditional houses, canals, floral dis- TUE 01 JUN Colmar/Strasbourg ninth largest city of France with nearly plays, amazing cuisine, famous wines WED 02 JUN Strasbourg half a million inhabitants in a metropoli- and charming accommodation make THU 03 JUN Strasbourg tan area. The city itself is the seat of the it an outstanding microcosm of Alsace FRI 04 JUN Strasbourg SAT 05 JUN Strasbourg Council of Europe, the European Court of - showcasing its lifestyle, conviviality SUN 06 JUN Return to U.S. from Human Rights, the European Ombuds- and hospitality. Despite a population of Strasbourg or Frankfurt man, the Eurocorps, the European Au- nearly 70,000, Colmar retains a ‘country diovisual Observatory and, of course, the HOTELS town’ atmosphere which contributes so European Parliament (which also holds much to its charm. Aside from the lav- Strasbourg: Hotel Tandem sessions in Brussels). Needless to say, this ishness of Alsatian wine (mostly whites http://hotel-tandem.fr/ high toned presence in Europe has given Mulhouse: Hotel du Parc in a Germanic tradition), Colmar is also https://www.hotelduparc-mulhouse.com/en/ the city a vibrant cultural life to match. renowned for its superbly preserved old Colmar: Grand Hotel Bristol town, adorned with timber-framed wood https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/ho- MULHOUSE: This industrial powerhouse houses that reflect an exceptional blend tels-in-colmar/best-western-grand-hotel-bristol/ propertyCode.93037.html 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 $200 credit for travelers Note that space is limited and reservations are occupancy, with private facilities. Hotels as registered on the 2020 tour! taken on a first come, first served basis. Final pay- listed or similar. Free wi-fi included. ment is due March 15, 2021. For credit card pay- 5 MEALS: Breakfast daily, box lunches on oc- $ ment APM accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover or casion, one lunch at the presbytery of Albert 4999 American Express. IMPORTANT: Credit card pay- Schweitzer’s parish church, and five dinners; Airfare not included ments cannot be accepted via email. wine included with farewell dinner. Tour Gratuities ($100)................................................ Included 5 GROUND TRANSPORT: Transfers and trans- Costs per person based on double occupancy in USD REFUND POLICY: All cancellations must be in portation by deluxe motorcoach. Optional Individual Supplement writing. There is no refund for partial or unused 5 SIGHTSEEING/PROGRAMMING: Extensive land arrangements. The following penalties will Single Room......................................................................... $999 organ-related programming throughout In addition to base tour cost. Limited availability apply: Up to January 14, 2021 - $550 per person (arranged by Carolyn Shuster Fournier); and smaller room size than doubles. administrative fee plus any unrecoverable depos- honoraria and entrance fees included. its; January 15 – May 7, 2021 – Deposit plus any Medium-range ticket for one concert. Costs: The tour cost is per person based on double occupan- unrecoverable payments to hotels, tour operators 5 PORTERAGE: Luggage handling of one cy, tariffs and currency valuations as of April 2020, a minimum or airlines; May 8, 2021 or after– No refund. of 25 travelers, and subject to confirmation. While we will do piece per person. everything possible to maintain the listed price and/or itiner- LATE BOOKINGS: Passengers registering within 5 PROFESSIONAL GUIDE: Mr. Tim Schmutzler ary, they are subject to change due to circumstances beyond serving as your professional tour manager/ our control. Single room supplements may have limited avail- 30 days of tour departure will be charged a $50 ability and are on a request basis only. per person fee. Tour payment in full is required be- guide. 5 fore we can request space. This fee does not cover ORGAN EXPERT: Ms. Carolyn Shuster Items Not Included any additional ground service charges. Fournier serving as the accompanying • Airfare to/from Frankfurt or Strasbourg; please contact organ impresario. Accolades if you would like assistance. SCHEDULING YOUR FLIGHTS: Flying into Frank- 5 GRATUITIES: Gratuities to drivers and guide • Fuel surcharges and/or tax increases levied since the furt is simpler and less costly than flying into (for your convenience, $100 per person has pricing of this tour. • Beverages other than coffee/tea at breakfast. Strasbourg. The transfer time between the Frank- been included). • Any meal or sightseeing item not listed in the itinerary. furt airport and the Strasbourg hotel is about 2.5 5 ALL THE INFO YOU NEED: Comprehensive • Items of a personal nature. hours. We are offering two group arrival trans- documentation including travel acces- • Optional travel protection: trip cancellation/interruption, fers and two group departure transfers between sory, bag tags, name baggage delay/loss, emergency accident and sickness Frankfurt and Strasbourg – the times will be de- badges, flight medical expense, and emergency evacuation/repatria- termined when we have the flight schedules from tion.