That evening Josef played his violin for the family. He made sure to include his first composition among the selections he played, intermingled with the works of well known composers. The family was enchanted.
When he finished playing Signor Marchetti questioned him. “There was one selection you played that was not familiar to me. Who was the composer?”
Josef played a few notes and then asked, “Do you mean this one?”
“Yes, I have never heard that before.”
“I wrote it.”
“You wrote it? Why, that is magnificent. Have you played it for anyone else?”
“A few people,” Josef replied. Then he described how he had written it when he was in San Reino and was feeling depressed that he might have to leave the family he was living with there.
“I would like to show it to the conductor of the Florence Symphony. I know him well. Better yet, maybe he would like to hear you play it.”
“I would like that,” Josef answered.
For the rest of the weekend Josef wandered the grounds of the estate. At times he was accompanied by one of the girls, at other times quite alone. He was amazed at how large the estate was. The Marchettis seemed to have everything any family could possibly want. There was a large barn with several riding horses which the girls rode twice while he was there. Josef was asked if he wanted to ride with them but he declined, claiming he was not a horse lover. Actually, he was a little afraid of them. The family also had an olympic size swimming pool. When Josef was invited to join them in a swim he accepted but told them he was not a good swimmer.
One pleasurable moment occurred when an old bassett hound came waddling out of the barn, its tail wagging so hard Josef was sure it would be wagged off. He had left Ami in San Reino and had not seen a dog since his arrival in Florence. Paisan, as the family called him, had weepy eyes and long, droopy ears and was losing his hair. Josef loved him and immediately made friends with him.
Three weeks after returning to the conservatory from his weekend with the Marchetti family Josef again received a summons from the office. He was met there by his advisor, Signor Vicenzia.
“An unusual situation has arisen involving you, Josef,” Signo Vicenzia said to him. “Actually, two situations. First, both your violin professor and your piano professor have recommended that you take part in our next Saturday evening recital. This is most unusual. In the eleven years I have been here no student with less than a year at the conservatory has ever performed at the recital. But both professors say you have an unusual talent and are ready for such a performance.
“Second, Maestro Bonino, conductor of the Florence Symphony, will be there to hear you play. Apparently, you made a good impression on your sponsor, Signor Marchetti, and he has convinced the maestro you have a unique talent.
“There is one negative side to this performance, however. Your roommate, Angelo Grosetti, will be the guest conductor. From what I understand you and Angelo are not the best of friends. Would this affect your performance?”
“No sir,” answered Josef. “I don’t know how I can thank you for arranging this. I will play as I’ve never played before. I will be so inspired I won’t even know Angelo is there."
“Good,” Signor Vicenzia replied. “I will leave it to you and your professors to select appropriate pieces and make arrangements with Angelo.”
The recital took place in the middle of September. Josef looked out at the audience and thought he had never seen so many people in the same place at the same time. Every seat was filled, even the balcony, and people were standing in the back of the auditorium. An instant hush took place when Angelo Grosetti took his place at the podium.
The orchestra played several well received symphonic pieces before Josef was introduced. He first played two numbers on the piano, one of them a Chopin nocturne, then played three short numbers on the violin. When he finished the audience stood as one and gave him a tumultuous ovation.
After a short intermission the orchestra played three more numbers and then Josef was reintroduced. Before he began playing the audience was again on its feet applauding. When they finally quieted down Josef once more played his violin. This time his selection was his own first composition, which he had entitled simply, “Etude for Violin.” A moment of stunned silence followed and then the audience again rose to its feet. The applause in the small auditorium was thunderous. Many shouts of “Bravo” were heard.
When the curtain descended the first person to reach Josef was his roommate. “You were awesome,” said Angelo. “I apologize for all my rudeness to you. I didn’t know you were so talented.”
Josef thanked him and moved further backstage where he next encountered Signor Marchetti. He was accompanied by a tall, slender, middle-aged man wearing a neatly trimmed beard. “Josef, this is Maestro Bonino,” said Signor Marchetti. “He was invited to the recital so he could hear you play.
”
Josef shook hands with the maestro and said, “I’m pleased that you came, Signor. I hope you enjoyed the performance.”
The maestro answered, “It was a magnificent performance. I thank Signor Marchetti for inviting me. Now, I would like to talk with you about your future. Is this a good time?”
“Yes, sir,” Josef replied. “May I put my violin back in its case first?” When Maestro Bonino nodded Josef led the two men to a room backstage. Here, his advisor, Professor Vicenzia, was waiting and hugged Josef as soon as he entered.
“Bravo, Josef,” he exclaimed. “You were superb.” Josef hugged the professor back and replied, “Thank you, Maestro. I’m happy.” As the three men were already acquainted no introductions were necessary.
When all four were seated Maestro Bonino began, addressing his remarks to Signor Vicenzia. “I am taking the orchestra to Rome for two performances at Christmas time and I would like Josef to come with us as a guest soloist. I will need the approval of the Conservatory, and of course, Josef. It would mean several weeks of rehearsal before that time and a week away from the Conservatory during Christmas week. I also would need to obtain the score of Josef’s “Etude” so it can be orchestrated. I don’t need an answer at this time because I know there are many things you and Josef need to discuss, Signor. If I can have an answer from you in two weeks, that would do.”
After finishing this statement Maestro Bonino turned to Josef and continued. “You have a fine talent, Josef, on both of your instruments. I expect great things from you in the future. At the same time, I don’t want you to miss out on the joys of being just a boy. Are you having any fun?”
“Some,” Josef answered. “But I miss my family in San Reino and was hoping to see them at Christmas. If I go to Rome will I be able to see them?”
The maestro replied, “The last performance is two days before Christmas. I think you could leave Rome Christmas Eve and still make it in time for Christmas.”
“Better than that, Maestro,” Signor Marchetti interrupted. “I can fly Josef to Trieste in my private plane and his family could meet him there. That would take only two hours instead of the twelve hours or so on the train. How would that suit you, Josef?”
“That would be wonderful, Signor Marchetti,” Josef replied.
With that the meeting broke up, with promises from Josef and Professor Vicenzia that they would give Maestro Bonino an answer in two weeks.
Again, Josef was in the position of having to make a decision that could have a major influence on his life. He met with Professor Vicenzia several times, once at dinner with the professor and his family. Together they had long conversations about the decision to be made and what it would entail. The professor reminded Josef what Maestro Bonino had said about not missing out on the joys of being a boy.
“Of course, you are not an ordinary boy, Josef,” Professor Vicenzia said. “You are a boy with extraordinary talents. These talents, if you continue to develop them, are going to lead you to heights in the musical field you could never envision. But it is important that while you are climbing to those heights that you are happy. You have to decide what is important to you and what kind of compromises you need to make in your life so that your music and your happiness are in balance. And this is a difficult decision for a not quite twelve year old.”
Josef wrote a letter to Mamma Francesca describing his dilemma. Three days later he again received a summons from the office informing him he had a telephone message. He arrived at the office puzzled. Who could be calling him at the Conservatory? At the office he was given a note to call a number in Trieste. Immediately his heart leaped into his throat. Was something wrong with Mamma Francesca or Papa Pietro?
When he dialed the number Maestro Bellini answered and, when Josef identified himself, turned the phone over to Mamma Francesca. She immediately allayed his anxieties. “Everyone is fine,” she said. “I decided to call you so I came to Trieste with Pietro today and borrowed Signor Bellini’s phone. I wanted to talk to you about your Christmas program in Rome. If you decide to accept Maestro Bonino’s offer Pietro and I would like to come to Rome to hear you play. We have always wanted to go to Rome and this would be a good time. That way, we could also spend more time with you. Giuseppe and Lucia would come with us of course.”
Josef was almost in tears when he heard this good news. He could now make his decision happily. He could play in the program and also enjoy being with his family.
“Mamma, I love you,” he exclaimed. “I will talk to Maestro Bonino and Professor Vicenzia and tell them I will play in the program. I will talk to Signor Marchetti too. He will be happy to know I will be in the program and happy to know you will come to Rome."
During the next week Josef arranged, through Professor Vicenzia, to meet with Maestro Bonino and inform the maestro of his decision. He also spent another weekend at Signor Marchetti’s estate. The girls were back in Rome and Signora Marchetti was off visiting another family member but Josef had a delightful weekend relaxing, playing his violin when he felt the urge and playing the Marchetti’s grand piano. He surprised Signor Marchetti one evening by sitting at the piano and playing several New Orleans jazz tunes.
“Josef, you never cease to amaze me,” Signor Marchetti commented.
Josef also renewed acquaintances with Paisan. He and the old dog romped through the fields together until the dog was too weary to continue.
Signor Marchetti then added to Josef’s happiness by offering to fly his family from Trieste to Rome for Josef’s performance.
“Could you?” Josef exclaimed. “That would be wonderful.”
“Not only that but I will make sure they are able to join me in my box at the opera house at each performance.”
Josef threw his arms around the signore and said, “How can I ever thank you? You have done so much for me.”
Signor Marchetti answered, “I need to make a contribution to the happiness of others. You are going to be my instrument for doing that. Your music will bring a great deal of joy to many people.”
The next few weeks seemed longer than usual for Josef. He was anxious for the Christmas season to arrive so he could see his family. In mid-October he and Professor Vicenzia met with the orchestra’s concert master, a bald, bespectacled German, Herr Reitling. Josef gave Herr Reitling a copy of his “Etude” and received in exchange scores of four violin solos and three piano solos. Josef, with the professor’s assistance, could choose the ones he preferred to play in addition to his “Etude.” Josef was delighted to see they were all pieces he was familiar with. He asked Herr Reitling if “Ave Maria” could also be considered.
“By all means,” said the concert master. “We would be delighted to have you include that in your program; please make a decision by November 1. We will need to begin preliminary rehearsals on November 15 and have all orchestrations ready by December 1. Full rehearsals, three times a week, will begin about December 5. You will need to arrange your school program to coordinate with the rehearsal schedule.” Professor Vicenzia agreed that could be done.
At the Conservatory Josef discussed the selections with Professor Vicenzia and also with his violin and piano teachers. It was decided that “Ave Maria” would be one of the violin selections along with the “Etude” and two of the piano numbers.
Josef’s 12th birthday passed quietly. He received a card from the family in San Reino which all his friends from the little fishing had signed, including Antonio and Signora Carpetta. Each of them wrote him an individual message encouraging him to continue his studies. He also received a special birthday gift from Signor Marchetti, an expensive violin for him to practice with instead of the shop-worn ones at the Conservatory. Josef hugged Signor Marchetti and thanked him over and over.
“It’s something I wanted to do,” replied the signore. “I wanted to get you your own piano also but thought you might have trouble carrying it around.”
Josef played each of the numbers with the orchestra for the first time on November 18 and then again a week later. When the concert master next contacted him, in late November, he informed Josef that all the orchestrations were ready and full rehearsals would begin December 5. A copy of the rehearsal schedule was sent to Professor Vicenzia so he could arrange Josef’s school program to fit. In late November Signor Marchetti took Josef to his tailor and had Josef fitted with his first tuxedo. “You have to look the part,” he told Josef.
December 5 came quickly. Rehearsals were held in the rehearsal hall, a large chamber attached to the main Symphony Hall in Florence. Josef discovered that Maestro Bonino was another strict taskmaster. If Josef was to have fun, as the maestro had said, it would not be at one of the rehearsals. Everything went well. Josef, with only a few nervous mistakes, was able to blend in well with the orchestra. The last rehearsal was held on December 17 in the main hall. This was used as a dress rehearsal, with many people from Florence in attendance.
On December 19 the entire orchestra left Florence early in the day on two special buses rented for the occasion. On the same day Signor Marchette picked up Josef’s family in Trieste and delivered them to the same hotel where the orchestra was staying. He had booked a large suite of rooms at the hotel early in October after he had offered to fly the family to Rome. He and his family were occupying rooms in the same suite.
The buses arrived in Rome in the middle of the afternoon and all orchestra members, Josef included, were told they had the rest of the day and evening off. Josef’s reunion with is family was a jubilant occasion; hugs and kisses soon gave way to tears of joy. December 20 was also a day off. Josef and his family used the time to do some sight-seeing in ancient Rome.
December was devoted to rehearsals, a long one in the morning and a short one early in the afternoon. These served as a final tuneup for the performances to take place the next two evenings.
The opera house was jammed for the first evening’s performance. The orchestra began the evening with selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and “Swan Lake” before Josef was introduced to play “Ave Maria” and then his “Etude for Violin.” Maestro Bonino, in introducing Josef, announced that the second selection Josef was to play was his own composition. Once more his performance was followed by a thunderous ovation.
Following an intermission the orchestra again opened the program with several short selections and then Josef was re-introduced for his piano solos. When he finished Josef took several bows while the crowd applauded wildly. The orchestra completed the program with traditional Christmas selections and then Josef was called back on stage for a final bow. The audience was on its feet instantly with shouts of “Bravo” and “Encore.” As Josef had not prepared an encore he turned to the maestro with a questioning look.
“Please, play whatever appeals to you,” said Maestro Bonino. “The piano is all yours unless you would like to bring your violin out again.”
Josef waved at the audience and threw a kiss towards the box where his family was sitting with the Marchettis. He then sat at the piano and, to the maestro’ surprise, began playing boogie woogie music. He followed this with several Dixieland jazz numbers. When the maestro overcame his surprise he pointed to several orchestra members who then accompanied Josef in a completely ad lib performance. The audience was delighted and continued applauding and stomping their feet long after Josef left the stage.
Josef joined his family in the Marchettis’ box; here he was hugged and clapped on the back. In a few minutes Maestro Bonino appeared, all smiles. After being introduced to the family the maestro also hugged Josef and said, “I was overwhelmed as much as the audience by your piano playing. To use an American expression, ‘Wow!’ I think you should repeat your encore tomorrow evening. It won’t be a complete surprise to us then.”
Josef was so keyed up he and the family stayed up late that night talking, mostly about Josef and the evening’s performance.
In the morning, before Josef was out of bed, the phone began ringing in his family’s suite. Reporters from several Italian newspapers and TV stations wished to interview Josef and, in spite of Professor Vicenzia’s attempts, could not be deterred. Finally, they agreed to a short question and answer session with the proviso they would receive a bio-graphical sketch of Josef the professor had prepared. The interview would be limited to a half hour, later that morning in a conference room the hotel would make available.
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When he finished playing Signor Marchetti questioned him. “There was one selection you played that was not familiar to me. Who was the composer?”
Josef played a few notes and then asked, “Do you mean this one?”
“Yes, I have never heard that before.”
“I wrote it.”
“You wrote it? Why, that is magnificent. Have you played it for anyone else?”
“A few people,” Josef replied. Then he described how he had written it when he was in San Reino and was feeling depressed that he might have to leave the family he was living with there.
“I would like to show it to the conductor of the Florence Symphony. I know him well. Better yet, maybe he would like to hear you play it.”
“I would like that,” Josef answered.
For the rest of the weekend Josef wandered the grounds of the estate. At times he was accompanied by one of the girls, at other times quite alone. He was amazed at how large the estate was. The Marchettis seemed to have everything any family could possibly want. There was a large barn with several riding horses which the girls rode twice while he was there. Josef was asked if he wanted to ride with them but he declined, claiming he was not a horse lover. Actually, he was a little afraid of them. The family also had an olympic size swimming pool. When Josef was invited to join them in a swim he accepted but told them he was not a good swimmer.
One pleasurable moment occurred when an old bassett hound came waddling out of the barn, its tail wagging so hard Josef was sure it would be wagged off. He had left Ami in San Reino and had not seen a dog since his arrival in Florence. Paisan, as the family called him, had weepy eyes and long, droopy ears and was losing his hair. Josef loved him and immediately made friends with him.
Three weeks after returning to the conservatory from his weekend with the Marchetti family Josef again received a summons from the office. He was met there by his advisor, Signor Vicenzia.
“An unusual situation has arisen involving you, Josef,” Signo Vicenzia said to him. “Actually, two situations. First, both your violin professor and your piano professor have recommended that you take part in our next Saturday evening recital. This is most unusual. In the eleven years I have been here no student with less than a year at the conservatory has ever performed at the recital. But both professors say you have an unusual talent and are ready for such a performance.
“Second, Maestro Bonino, conductor of the Florence Symphony, will be there to hear you play. Apparently, you made a good impression on your sponsor, Signor Marchetti, and he has convinced the maestro you have a unique talent.
“There is one negative side to this performance, however. Your roommate, Angelo Grosetti, will be the guest conductor. From what I understand you and Angelo are not the best of friends. Would this affect your performance?”
“No sir,” answered Josef. “I don’t know how I can thank you for arranging this. I will play as I’ve never played before. I will be so inspired I won’t even know Angelo is there."
“Good,” Signor Vicenzia replied. “I will leave it to you and your professors to select appropriate pieces and make arrangements with Angelo.”
The recital took place in the middle of September. Josef looked out at the audience and thought he had never seen so many people in the same place at the same time. Every seat was filled, even the balcony, and people were standing in the back of the auditorium. An instant hush took place when Angelo Grosetti took his place at the podium.
The orchestra played several well received symphonic pieces before Josef was introduced. He first played two numbers on the piano, one of them a Chopin nocturne, then played three short numbers on the violin. When he finished the audience stood as one and gave him a tumultuous ovation.
After a short intermission the orchestra played three more numbers and then Josef was reintroduced. Before he began playing the audience was again on its feet applauding. When they finally quieted down Josef once more played his violin. This time his selection was his own first composition, which he had entitled simply, “Etude for Violin.” A moment of stunned silence followed and then the audience again rose to its feet. The applause in the small auditorium was thunderous. Many shouts of “Bravo” were heard.
When the curtain descended the first person to reach Josef was his roommate. “You were awesome,” said Angelo. “I apologize for all my rudeness to you. I didn’t know you were so talented.”
Josef thanked him and moved further backstage where he next encountered Signor Marchetti. He was accompanied by a tall, slender, middle-aged man wearing a neatly trimmed beard. “Josef, this is Maestro Bonino,” said Signor Marchetti. “He was invited to the recital so he could hear you play.
”
Josef shook hands with the maestro and said, “I’m pleased that you came, Signor. I hope you enjoyed the performance.”
The maestro answered, “It was a magnificent performance. I thank Signor Marchetti for inviting me. Now, I would like to talk with you about your future. Is this a good time?”
“Yes, sir,” Josef replied. “May I put my violin back in its case first?” When Maestro Bonino nodded Josef led the two men to a room backstage. Here, his advisor, Professor Vicenzia, was waiting and hugged Josef as soon as he entered.
“Bravo, Josef,” he exclaimed. “You were superb.” Josef hugged the professor back and replied, “Thank you, Maestro. I’m happy.” As the three men were already acquainted no introductions were necessary.
When all four were seated Maestro Bonino began, addressing his remarks to Signor Vicenzia. “I am taking the orchestra to Rome for two performances at Christmas time and I would like Josef to come with us as a guest soloist. I will need the approval of the Conservatory, and of course, Josef. It would mean several weeks of rehearsal before that time and a week away from the Conservatory during Christmas week. I also would need to obtain the score of Josef’s “Etude” so it can be orchestrated. I don’t need an answer at this time because I know there are many things you and Josef need to discuss, Signor. If I can have an answer from you in two weeks, that would do.”
After finishing this statement Maestro Bonino turned to Josef and continued. “You have a fine talent, Josef, on both of your instruments. I expect great things from you in the future. At the same time, I don’t want you to miss out on the joys of being just a boy. Are you having any fun?”
“Some,” Josef answered. “But I miss my family in San Reino and was hoping to see them at Christmas. If I go to Rome will I be able to see them?”
The maestro replied, “The last performance is two days before Christmas. I think you could leave Rome Christmas Eve and still make it in time for Christmas.”
“Better than that, Maestro,” Signor Marchetti interrupted. “I can fly Josef to Trieste in my private plane and his family could meet him there. That would take only two hours instead of the twelve hours or so on the train. How would that suit you, Josef?”
“That would be wonderful, Signor Marchetti,” Josef replied.
With that the meeting broke up, with promises from Josef and Professor Vicenzia that they would give Maestro Bonino an answer in two weeks.
Again, Josef was in the position of having to make a decision that could have a major influence on his life. He met with Professor Vicenzia several times, once at dinner with the professor and his family. Together they had long conversations about the decision to be made and what it would entail. The professor reminded Josef what Maestro Bonino had said about not missing out on the joys of being a boy.
“Of course, you are not an ordinary boy, Josef,” Professor Vicenzia said. “You are a boy with extraordinary talents. These talents, if you continue to develop them, are going to lead you to heights in the musical field you could never envision. But it is important that while you are climbing to those heights that you are happy. You have to decide what is important to you and what kind of compromises you need to make in your life so that your music and your happiness are in balance. And this is a difficult decision for a not quite twelve year old.”
Josef wrote a letter to Mamma Francesca describing his dilemma. Three days later he again received a summons from the office informing him he had a telephone message. He arrived at the office puzzled. Who could be calling him at the Conservatory? At the office he was given a note to call a number in Trieste. Immediately his heart leaped into his throat. Was something wrong with Mamma Francesca or Papa Pietro?
When he dialed the number Maestro Bellini answered and, when Josef identified himself, turned the phone over to Mamma Francesca. She immediately allayed his anxieties. “Everyone is fine,” she said. “I decided to call you so I came to Trieste with Pietro today and borrowed Signor Bellini’s phone. I wanted to talk to you about your Christmas program in Rome. If you decide to accept Maestro Bonino’s offer Pietro and I would like to come to Rome to hear you play. We have always wanted to go to Rome and this would be a good time. That way, we could also spend more time with you. Giuseppe and Lucia would come with us of course.”
Josef was almost in tears when he heard this good news. He could now make his decision happily. He could play in the program and also enjoy being with his family.
“Mamma, I love you,” he exclaimed. “I will talk to Maestro Bonino and Professor Vicenzia and tell them I will play in the program. I will talk to Signor Marchetti too. He will be happy to know I will be in the program and happy to know you will come to Rome."
During the next week Josef arranged, through Professor Vicenzia, to meet with Maestro Bonino and inform the maestro of his decision. He also spent another weekend at Signor Marchetti’s estate. The girls were back in Rome and Signora Marchetti was off visiting another family member but Josef had a delightful weekend relaxing, playing his violin when he felt the urge and playing the Marchetti’s grand piano. He surprised Signor Marchetti one evening by sitting at the piano and playing several New Orleans jazz tunes.
“Josef, you never cease to amaze me,” Signor Marchetti commented.
Josef also renewed acquaintances with Paisan. He and the old dog romped through the fields together until the dog was too weary to continue.
Signor Marchetti then added to Josef’s happiness by offering to fly his family from Trieste to Rome for Josef’s performance.
“Could you?” Josef exclaimed. “That would be wonderful.”
“Not only that but I will make sure they are able to join me in my box at the opera house at each performance.”
Josef threw his arms around the signore and said, “How can I ever thank you? You have done so much for me.”
Signor Marchetti answered, “I need to make a contribution to the happiness of others. You are going to be my instrument for doing that. Your music will bring a great deal of joy to many people.”
The next few weeks seemed longer than usual for Josef. He was anxious for the Christmas season to arrive so he could see his family. In mid-October he and Professor Vicenzia met with the orchestra’s concert master, a bald, bespectacled German, Herr Reitling. Josef gave Herr Reitling a copy of his “Etude” and received in exchange scores of four violin solos and three piano solos. Josef, with the professor’s assistance, could choose the ones he preferred to play in addition to his “Etude.” Josef was delighted to see they were all pieces he was familiar with. He asked Herr Reitling if “Ave Maria” could also be considered.
“By all means,” said the concert master. “We would be delighted to have you include that in your program; please make a decision by November 1. We will need to begin preliminary rehearsals on November 15 and have all orchestrations ready by December 1. Full rehearsals, three times a week, will begin about December 5. You will need to arrange your school program to coordinate with the rehearsal schedule.” Professor Vicenzia agreed that could be done.
At the Conservatory Josef discussed the selections with Professor Vicenzia and also with his violin and piano teachers. It was decided that “Ave Maria” would be one of the violin selections along with the “Etude” and two of the piano numbers.
Josef’s 12th birthday passed quietly. He received a card from the family in San Reino which all his friends from the little fishing had signed, including Antonio and Signora Carpetta. Each of them wrote him an individual message encouraging him to continue his studies. He also received a special birthday gift from Signor Marchetti, an expensive violin for him to practice with instead of the shop-worn ones at the Conservatory. Josef hugged Signor Marchetti and thanked him over and over.
“It’s something I wanted to do,” replied the signore. “I wanted to get you your own piano also but thought you might have trouble carrying it around.”
Josef played each of the numbers with the orchestra for the first time on November 18 and then again a week later. When the concert master next contacted him, in late November, he informed Josef that all the orchestrations were ready and full rehearsals would begin December 5. A copy of the rehearsal schedule was sent to Professor Vicenzia so he could arrange Josef’s school program to fit. In late November Signor Marchetti took Josef to his tailor and had Josef fitted with his first tuxedo. “You have to look the part,” he told Josef.
December 5 came quickly. Rehearsals were held in the rehearsal hall, a large chamber attached to the main Symphony Hall in Florence. Josef discovered that Maestro Bonino was another strict taskmaster. If Josef was to have fun, as the maestro had said, it would not be at one of the rehearsals. Everything went well. Josef, with only a few nervous mistakes, was able to blend in well with the orchestra. The last rehearsal was held on December 17 in the main hall. This was used as a dress rehearsal, with many people from Florence in attendance.
On December 19 the entire orchestra left Florence early in the day on two special buses rented for the occasion. On the same day Signor Marchette picked up Josef’s family in Trieste and delivered them to the same hotel where the orchestra was staying. He had booked a large suite of rooms at the hotel early in October after he had offered to fly the family to Rome. He and his family were occupying rooms in the same suite.
The buses arrived in Rome in the middle of the afternoon and all orchestra members, Josef included, were told they had the rest of the day and evening off. Josef’s reunion with is family was a jubilant occasion; hugs and kisses soon gave way to tears of joy. December 20 was also a day off. Josef and his family used the time to do some sight-seeing in ancient Rome.
December was devoted to rehearsals, a long one in the morning and a short one early in the afternoon. These served as a final tuneup for the performances to take place the next two evenings.
The opera house was jammed for the first evening’s performance. The orchestra began the evening with selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and “Swan Lake” before Josef was introduced to play “Ave Maria” and then his “Etude for Violin.” Maestro Bonino, in introducing Josef, announced that the second selection Josef was to play was his own composition. Once more his performance was followed by a thunderous ovation.
Following an intermission the orchestra again opened the program with several short selections and then Josef was re-introduced for his piano solos. When he finished Josef took several bows while the crowd applauded wildly. The orchestra completed the program with traditional Christmas selections and then Josef was called back on stage for a final bow. The audience was on its feet instantly with shouts of “Bravo” and “Encore.” As Josef had not prepared an encore he turned to the maestro with a questioning look.
“Please, play whatever appeals to you,” said Maestro Bonino. “The piano is all yours unless you would like to bring your violin out again.”
Josef waved at the audience and threw a kiss towards the box where his family was sitting with the Marchettis. He then sat at the piano and, to the maestro’ surprise, began playing boogie woogie music. He followed this with several Dixieland jazz numbers. When the maestro overcame his surprise he pointed to several orchestra members who then accompanied Josef in a completely ad lib performance. The audience was delighted and continued applauding and stomping their feet long after Josef left the stage.
Josef joined his family in the Marchettis’ box; here he was hugged and clapped on the back. In a few minutes Maestro Bonino appeared, all smiles. After being introduced to the family the maestro also hugged Josef and said, “I was overwhelmed as much as the audience by your piano playing. To use an American expression, ‘Wow!’ I think you should repeat your encore tomorrow evening. It won’t be a complete surprise to us then.”
Josef was so keyed up he and the family stayed up late that night talking, mostly about Josef and the evening’s performance.
In the morning, before Josef was out of bed, the phone began ringing in his family’s suite. Reporters from several Italian newspapers and TV stations wished to interview Josef and, in spite of Professor Vicenzia’s attempts, could not be deterred. Finally, they agreed to a short question and answer session with the proviso they would receive a bio-graphical sketch of Josef the professor had prepared. The interview would be limited to a half hour, later that morning in a conference room the hotel would make available.
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JOSEF:
FROM THE ASHES OF WAR
By: Frederick Laird
Page 5
FROM THE ASHES OF WAR
By: Frederick Laird
Page 5
