San Francisco, CA - Bolero

Sunday, a lazy, kind of day. A big breakfast, classical music playing, kids playing soccer in the driveway in front of the RV. Can it get any better?

Isn’t it fun to watch others and their RV’s? But, then I’m sure that others are watching us, too. Though watching us is going to be pretty dull - better find a comfy place to sleep. Today we saw a new RV pull into the park into a spot across the street from us. Then everyone inside took care of their priorities. The dog came out first, leashed to the front door handle. Then the two women came out and lit up. While all this was going on we noticed that the two men inside had gotten the dish up. Then they began to set everything else up. First things first. Everyone has their priorities.

OK, we’ve got a dog, 2 men and 2 women in a 24’ Winnebago View. Now, my sister and brother-in-law had a View. Very nice RV but, at 24’, it is rather small and space can get cramped. Oh, Gary, look, a teen-age boy just came out. Imagine that - 5 people and a dog.

Meanwhile we’re sitting inside - you don’t have to wonder why we’re inside - my leg is still not as operable as it should be. And, still as big and as heavy as a log.

But, one of the pieces we were listening to was Bolero by Maurice Ravel.

We wondered how the piece was received when it was first played and heard a funny story about when Conductor Arturo Toscanini performed the work in 1929 with the New York Philharmonic at the Paris Opera as part of their European tour.

He conducted it significantly faster than Ravel had intended and, when it was done, and the orchestra was taking its bows, Toscanini motioned for Ravel to take the stage with them.

Ravel refused and, after the concert there were some words between the two men. One report was that Ravel said; ‘It’s too fast.’ and Toscanini replied that ‘You don’t know anything about your own music. It’s the only way to save the work.’ Another account was that Ravel said; ‘That’s not my tempo.’ to which Toscanini replied; ’When I play it at your tempo, it is not effective.’ To which Ravel countered; ‘Then do not play it.’ Ouch.

And, the story continues. Ravel tried to make amends and sent Toscanini a note: ‘I have always felt that if a composer does not take part in the performance of a work, he must avoid the ovations.’ 10 days later he invited Toscanini to conduct the premier of another of his works and Toscanini declined.

And, we thought classical music was - well, classical.

And, here’s a clue uniting this story about classical music with our tomorrow’s adventure: Schroeder at the piano by Charles Schultz.