Josef

He handed it to Josef and remarked, “Josef, you have a great talent. I’m sure both my papa and my grandpapa would

like you to have this so your talent can grow even more. Take it, it is yours.”

As Josef put his practice violin aside and accepted the valuable one from Pietro tears came to his eyes. “How can I ever

thank you, Papa Pietro?”

“Thank me by going on to become the great violinist I know you can be.”

Josef threw his arms around Pietro, who also had tears in his eyes.

For the next few months Josef practiced on Signora Carpetta’s violin while he was learning a piece. When he had

perfected it he switched to the better violin and played it for his "family."

That summer Signora Carpetta arranged a recital for Josef, to be held in the village square. Many of the villagers

attended and saluted Josef’s performance with round after round of applause. Josef was thrilled.

Following the recital Signora Carpetta informed Pietro and Josef that she had taught Josef as much as she could. He

was ready for more advanced work and needed another teacher. She recommended that Pietro and Josef contact a

teacher she knew in Trieste.

Pietro made weekly trips over the winding, dirt road to Trieste to buy supplies for his vineyard and groceries not

available in San Reino. On his next trip Josef went with him to meet with the teacher, Signor Bellini. Signora Carpetta had

called him Maestro Bellini. Arrangements were made for Josef to have a one hour lesson twice a week with the maestro. It

was a simple matter for Pietro to rearrange his schedule to fit those arrangements. Maestro Bellini also had a practice violin

Josef could use.

Signor Bellini was a tall, gaunt man in his late fifties with no sense of humor. At one time he had played lead violin with a

large symphony orchestra. Josef found him to be a much harder taskmaster than Signora Carpetta had been. Each time

Josef missed a note, or held his fingers incorrectly, the maestro stopped him and scolded him harshly.

Josef was able to disregard the verbal abuse and learned much more quickly under him than he had with Signora

Carpetta. Each week throughout the summer and into the fall Josef made his twice weekly journey. Each day he practiced

an hour or more, striving for perfection. Only then would he take out the violin Papa Pietro had given him and play the piece

he had learned.

In late October, shortly after Josef’s eleventh birthday, Signor Bellini arranged a recital for Josef and his other students.

The recital was held in a small concert hall in Trieste. Many of the villagers made the difficult one and one-half hour drive

from San Reino for the occasion. Again Josef rewarded them with a superb performance and again he was overjoyed at the

ovation he received.

During that summer and fall Josef began to fill out some. He was three inches taller than when he arrived in San Reino

and, though not as heavy as the rest of the family, was no longer the skinny little boy he had been then. The rich Italian food

served by Mama Francesca had removed all traces of his previously poor diet. Ami had also shown the same change but he

was no longer only Josef’s dog, he was now the family’s dog.

He continued his lessons throughout that winter. Then, in March, the maestro informed both Pietro and Josef that Josef

was again at a point in his training where he needed more advanced instruction. Signor Bellini suggested a school of music

in Florence. He would send a strong recommendation for Josef to be admitted. He was certain Josef had the talent to

receive a full scholarship from the school and would, therefore, cost the family nothing. It would mean, however, that Josef

would have to leave his family and live at the school full time.

This condition immediately caused Josef to say no “I don’t want to leave my family,” he said tearfully. “I love all of them

and would miss them too much if I went away.”

“Josef, we will always be your family, no matter where you are or what you are doing,” Pietro replied. “But you have a

God given talent that should not be wasted. We love you too but want you to be able to use that talent, even if it means

making some sacrifices in your life.”

Josef sobbed all the way back to San Reino. His heart was broken; he would again lose a family he loved. When he

and Pietro arrived home he rushed to Mamma Francesca and threw himself into her arms.

“Mamma, Maestro Bellini wants me to go to school in Florence. I don’t want to leave you; I love you all. What am I to

do?”

Mamma Francesca also cried when she heard the news. She had come to love Josef as a son. “Let’s not make any

decisions right now. We can think about it and talk about it when we are all settled down.”

The next few weeks were difficult for Josef. He refused to talk about Florence or Signor Bellini, or anything to do with

violin lessons. He stopped practicing. He stopped going to his other school lessons in San Reino which he had enjoyed so

much. He stopped playing games with the other children. Many times the food served by Mamma Francesca was left on his

plate. The violin Papa Pietro had given him was returned to the attic. Pietro and Francesca left him alone, hoping he would

soon come out of the doldrums by himself. Each night Francesca hugged him tightly before he went to bed. Josef hugged

her back but said nothing.

During the second week of May, on a rainy day when the other children were playing indoors, Francesca heard Josef go

up to the attic alone. Soon she heard the sound of beautiful violin music coming from the attic. Josef was playing as he had

never played before. There was something unusual about the music; it was a piece she had never heard Josef play before.

Lucia was sitting at the kitchen table with a coloring book. Francesca motioned to her and pointed upstairs. Lucia smiled

and nodded her head.

An hour later, when Josef came downstairs, Francesca asked him what he had been playing.

“It was music I made up in my head,” he answered, with a happy smile. “I thought I should try to play it before I forgot it.

Did you like it?”

“It was beautiful,” Francesca replied. “And you composed it?”

“Yes, I think I’ll go to my room and see if I can write it down.” Francesca hugged him and said nothing more.

That evening Francesca asked Josef if he would play his composition again, this time for the entire family. Josef went to

the attic to get the violin and then played his piece while Pietro, Francesca, and the two other children sat there spellbound.

When he finished Pietro threw his arms around Josef and cried, “I knew you were gifted, Josef; but writing your own

music is something I never expected.”

Josef smiled broadly and then said, “I have decided I will go to Florence, if they will have me.”

Before he could say any more Pietro hugged him and exclaimed, “I knew you would make the right decision.”

Josef then continued, “I owe it to my family as well as to myself. Both of my brothers were going to be violinists the family

would be proud of. Perhaps I would have done the same with piano; I know I can with the violin. As you once said, Papa

Pietro, if God gave me a gift I should use it to the best of my ability. I think I will also try to take piano again, as well as violin.”

When Josef stopped talking Francesca had tears running done her cheeks, she was so overcome with joy.

The next day Pietro drove Josef to Trieste to inform Signor Bellini of Josef’s decision. For one of the few times since

Josef had known him the stern-visaged maestro smiled.

“I will call and make arrangements for you to play for one of their maestros,” he informed Josef. “Perhaps he will come

here. I will let you know what I have arranged.”

For two weeks Josef forgot about the violin and returned to being a normal boy again. He played hide and seek in the

village and vineyard with Giuseppe and Lucia. He went with Antonio and Luciano on a short fishing trip off the beach where

he had first seen their boat. He was as happy as he had ever been. At the same time he knew those happy days would end

soon. Going to Florence would be a major change in his life.

In late May a messenger from the weather station in San Reino delivered a message from Signor Bellini. Josef was to

be in Trieste in two days time to play a musical piece of his choice and one of the visiting maestro's choices.

The next day Josef practiced his composition for almost the entire day. At the end of the day he was certain he had it

perfect.

The journey to Trieste was a nervous one for Josef. He wanted to do everything right but was concerned that he might

make mistakes because he was so nervous. Pietro talked to him throughout the journey trying to make him less nervous.

Signor Bellini introduced the maestro as Signor Vicenzia. He was a much younger man than Signor Bellini and had a

broad smile on his face when Josef shook his hand. He talked with Josef, first in Italian and then in English about Josef’s

background. When Josef mentioned his father by name the maestro beamed and said, “Of course, I knew of your father. I

never met him but he was well known to many of my colleagues.”

Josef was then left by himself for a short time, to loosen up his fingers as Maestro Vicenzia called it. Following this Josef

played his own composition and did so perfectly. The maestro was enchanted. He then handed Josef another piece for him

to play. Josef was pleased to see it was one he was familiar with.

When Josef completed the second selection Signor asked Pietro a few questions, mainly about his financial status.

Pietro explained to him that he owned and operated a small vineyard. He was comfortable financially, but not wealthy by

Florentine standards.

Signor Vicenzia made a few notes in his notebook and then said, “Josef plays exceptionally well. There is no question

about him being qualified to enter the Florence Conservatory. I will try to arrange a scholarship, that part is not certain.

There are a number of people in Florence I can contact who are frequently asked to sponsor a promising student. I will be in

contact with Signor Bellini within the next two weeks.” He then stood up and shook hands with each of them. When he shook

Josef’s hand he said, “Young man, you play divinely. I’m certain I will be seeing you in Florence.”

A week later Josef caught an early morning train from Trieste to Florence. Accomp-anying him on the train were

Francesca and the two children. Francesca had decided they should go with Josef, partly so he wouldn’t have to make the

trip alone and partly to give Giuseppe and Lucia the treat of their first train trip. The family would then stay in Florence for

several days and enjoy the treasures of that city before returning home. Pietro returned to San Reino after driving the family

to the depot in Trieste.

Upon arrival in Florence late that afternoon Josef was met by Signor Vicenzia. After tear filled farewells in which both

Josef and Francesca both promised to write to each other the maestro drove Josef to the conservatory on the outskirts of

Florence. Here, he was given a quick tour of the grounds and then introduced to Signora Monza, who was the matron in

charge of the dormitory where he would live. Signora Monza led Josef to a room he would share with another boy. She also

showed him the dining room and explained the meal schedule, then left him to settle in.

Josef didn’t meet his roommate until after dinner that evening. As it was Sunday the other boy had been home for a brief

visit with his parents in Livorno, a coastal city a short distance from Florence. The boy, whose name was Angelo Grosetti,

was tall and sandy haired and almost a year older than Josef. Angelo immediately let Jose know he wasn’t happy sharing a

room with a younger boy, especially one who wasn’t Italian. As Josef had never been given this kind of treatment before, he

held his tongue while Angelo ranted on.

Everyone else Josef met in the next few days was very friendly. On his second day he was again met by Signor

Vicenzia, who acted as his guide as he went through the formalities of enrolling and being assigned classes and instructors.

When Josef mentioned to Signor Vicenzia his desire to take piano as well as violin the maestro raised his eyebrows but

said he would try to arrange it.

The entire day was spent setting up a program that met Josef’s individual needs. In addition to private lessons in both

violin and piano he was required to take classes in music theory and music history. All this instruction was crowded into

morning hours. In the afternoon, until 3:30, he was assigned to a school where regular classes were taught: mathematics,

language, reading, and science among others. He was also required to take part in a physical activity of his choice from

3:30 to 4:30 each day. Josef chose track and field so that he could exercise by running rather than be in a contact sport.

Except for his unfriendly roommate Josef enjoyed every aspect of his life at the conservatory. Angelo seemed to go out

of his way to be unpleasant. He griped or grumbled each time Josef entered the room. More than half of the storage space

in the dresser and in the one closet they shared was taken up by Angelo’s belongings. Fortunately, except for books and

music scores, Josef had few personal possessions. Most of these he stored in a box which slid under his bed. If Josef

wanted to read or study Angelo wouldn’t give him any peace. He complained constantly that Josef was keeping him awake,

or disturbing his concentration. Josef stopped doing anything in his room except dress, undress and sleep.

Other than his troubles with Angelo life was busy and pleasant. Each weekday was filled with activities. Josef found

himself either being instructed, learning music theory or history, or practicing in one of the private rooms available. In each of

these practice rooms instruments were available for practice. While not new, these instruments were more than adequate

for the practice Josef needed. Each afternoon he ran around the track for an hour to comply with the physical conditioning

requirements.

Josef’s instructors were excellent. He knew he was learning more rapidly than he had with either of his first two teachers.

The instructors were also pleased with Josef and told him so.

Evenings were free if there were no lessons to study. For those who had free time there was a television set in the

lounge, games to be played, or an occasional movie. Josef tried to see the movies, especially if they were American

cowboy movies; he found them exciting. He frequently put in extra time practicing one of his instruments. During that

practice time he also worked on a new composition he was writing.

Weekends were more relaxing. They were not required to practice and students who lived close to Florence were

allowed to go home if they wished. Others stayed on the grounds or toured Florence in small groups accompanied by one

of the teachers.

One weekend per month, either on a Saturday evening or a Sunday afternoon, a student recital was held. The best

students who had been there a year or more took part. Florence residents were invited to these concerts, for which there

was no charge. The auditorium was usually full.

To carry out his promise, Josef, once a week wrote a letter to Francesca telling her about his life in Florence. The letter

writing was difficult for him. Although he spoke quite understandable Italian he had not yet learned the grammar and spelling

to write it well. Each week he received a letter from Francesca, in answer to his letters.

One Saturday, a month after arriving in Florence, Josef was summoned to the office. With concern that something was

wrong he approached the office somewhat fearfully. When he arrived he was told there was someone who wished to meet

him. He was then introduced to a Signor Marchetti, a short, gray haired, distinguished looking man.

“Signot Marchetti is the man who provided your scholarship and expressed a desire to meet you. Signor Marchetti, this

is Josef Rankovic.”

The man extended his hand for Josef to shake and said, “I have heard many good things about you. I am pleased that

you are doing so well.”

“Thank you, Signor,” Josef replied. “I am quite happy to be here and I thank you for helping me,”

“I am glad I can be helpful,” said Signor Marchetti. He then added, “I would like you to be a guest at my home some

weekend in the near future. Can you tear yourself away from your work long enough to do that?”

“I would be honored, sir,” Josef replied.

“Could you bring your violin and play for my family?”

“Yes, sir; I would be pleased to do that.”

Signor Marchetti took a small notebook out of his pocket and after looking at it suggested a time two weeks later. Josef

agreed to that time.

Signor Marchetti lived in a large mansion a short distance from the conservatory. On the day scheduled for the visit he

sent his chauffeur in a limousine to pick Josef up. Josef had never ridden in a limousine before and was awed by the size of

it. He was even more impressed by the house. To him it looked as large as the largest building at the Conservatory. The

grounds were even more spacious. A long, winding drive through large, tree-lined lawns led to a parking area where several

other vehicles were parked.

The chauffeur opened the door of the limousine and escorted Josef to the house. Here, a butler greeted him at the door

and led him to an upstairs bedroom twice as large as any he had ever seen. This was to be his room for the weekend.

“The signore would like you to freshen up and then meet him in the drawing room,” the butler announced.

Josef had no idea what a drawing room was but as he went downstairs he heard conversation coming from a room at

the back of the house. He wandered in the direction of the sound, admiring as he did the many works or art on the walls of

the room he was in. He found Signor Marchetti in the drawing room sitting in a comfortable chair chatting with an elderly lady

and two teen-aged girls.

“Well, Josef, come in,” Signor Marchetti exclaimed when he saw Josef at the door. “Come meet my mother and two

daughters.”

After Josef entered Signor Marchetti turned to his mother. “Mother, this is Josef Rankovic.” Josef took the proffered

hand and nodded. “And these are my two daughters, Maria and Angelina.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Josef replied.

Signor Marchetti continued, “We were just discussing your music, and music in general. Unfortunately, none of us has

any musical talent. We do enjoy listening to it and recognize talent when we hear it.”

“You speak good Italian,” said Signora Marchetti. But, it is not your native language is it?”

“No ma’am,” Josef replied. “I’m from Croatia and have learned Italian only recently.” He then briefly described his

background and the circumstances which led him to being in Florence.

“War is such a terrible thing,” Signora Marchetti stated. “I lost my husband in the last war and my son was raised without

a father.”

The conversation continued with small talk about life in Florence and about Florence in general. Josef learned that

Signor Marchetti was widowed and owned a factory that made parts for farm machinery, a factory that had been in the family

for several generations. He also was told that the two girls, Maria who was 14, and Angelina who was 16, were home on a

short vacation from a school near Rome.

“I hope to see Rome some day,” Josef said.

“You must, it’s a beautiful city,” Signor Marchetti replied.

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