Josef

More than a half hour later Josef stopped playing, satisfied that he had learned that one section well. When he stopped

playing Elena applauded and cried, “Bravo!” Josef, startled, turned her way and once more blushed a bright crimson.

“I didn’t know you were in the room,” he exclaimed.

“I’m sorry,” Elena replied. “If it bothers you I won’t do it again.”

“It doesn’t bother me; I was surprised, that’s all. Do you play?”

“I do, but not well,” said Elena.

“Will you play for me?”

“I will if you promise not to laugh.”

“I promise.”

Elena sat at the piano and began playing ‘Edelweiss’ from ‘The Sound of Music.’ Her playing was in tempo and in tune

but stiff, as if she had learned it mechanically and had not tried to embellish the basic tune. When she finished playing she

turned to Josef and said, “I told you I’m not very good.”

“But you could easily learn to play better. May I show you a few techniques that would improve your playing?”

“Sure.”

“Another word I don’t know; I’m guessing that ‘sure’ means yes,” said Josef as he moved to stand behind Elena at the

piano. He then played one stanza of notes the same way Elena had played them and then showed her, by a slight variation

in his finger movements, how she could improvise. “Now you try that.”

Within 15 minutes Elena learned the few variations Josef had suggested, much to her delight and to the delight of

Christina who, like Elena, had come into the room unnoticed. She applauded loudly, causing both Josef and Elena to blush.

“It’s snowing,” Christina said, “I’m going for a walk in Central Park. Anyone care to go along? It’s beautiful there when

there’s snow on the branches.”

Both Elena and Josef accepted her invitation.

As Christina had said, Central Park was beautiful with its snow-capped branches. They wandered around oohing and

aahing at the various scenes they viewed. At one point they stopped to stare at one particularly beautiful tree. When they

stopped Christina made a snowball and threw it at Elena. Soon all three were tossing snowballs at each other, with

eventually the two sisters ganging up on Josef.

Each morning Josef practiced Chopin and each morning Elena came in to listen. Each morning also Josef gave Elena

a brief lesson on fingering techniques that improved her playing immensely. One morning Christina walked into the room to

find both Elena and Josef sitting at the piano playing a jazz duet. Josef was playing variations on the melody while Elena

played a sequence of bass chords Josef had taught her.

It was after one of those mornings that Josef said to Christina, I think my role in life is to be a teacher. It gives me so

much pleasure to see the progress Elena has made that I’m sure I could be helpful to others who wish to learn. Of course, it

might be because Elena learns more quickly than others.” At this he smiled at Elena causing her to blush.

“I think you would be an excellent teacher, Josef,” Christina replied. “Perhaps we should make inquiries at colleges that

specialize in preparing teachers to teach music. I’ll speak to some of my colleagues at Columbia; I’m certain they will have

suggestions.”

A week after New Year’s Day, Michael and Anthony returned to their colleges; Michael to a fraternity at Yale and Anthony

to a fraternity at Columbia. Elena also resumed her year as a senior at a public high school near home. Christina, although

her classes did not resume for another week, had work to do in preparation for her classes and took a train to the university

each day for several hours of work. Mr. Panelli, who was an attorney at a large New York firm, had already returned to work

the previous week. The result of this exodus left Josef alone with Mrs. Panelli for a good part of each day.

Josef helped her with the housework and with the marketing and, as he got to know her, realized she was much like

Francesca in many ways. More sophisticated and better educated, but nevertheless a woman as loving and as giving of

herself as Francesca. When he mentioned this to Mrs. Panelli she was overjoyed.

“It makes me happy to hear you say that, Josef,” she exclaimed. “I know you love your Mamma Francesca and to have

you tell me I’m like her makes m feel good. Now, I want you to be less formal with me and call me Lucia instead of Mrs.

Panelli. Can you do that?”

Josef hugged her and said, “I’d love to call you Lucia.”

One afternoon, after Christina had returned from her day at Columbia, she informed Josef she had been talking to some

of her colleagues about him. “One professor suggested you talk to Professor Bauer. He is on the faculty of our teachers’

college and also on the faculty at Julliard. As he’s involved with both teaching and music he might be able to advise you on

the direction you should take.”

Christina mentioned one other item that Josef perked up at. “Jakob Perelson is giving a concert at Carnegie Hall on

January 29th. If you can extend your visit until then I think I can still get tickets.”

“I’d love to see him again. I’ve corresponded with him but haven’t seen him since the tour and that was almost five years

ago. If you can get tickets I can stay until then. I’m certain he would be pleased to see me also.”

Christina called a ticket agency immediately and obtained tickets for her parents and Elena as well as for Josef and

herself. Josef called Jakob Perelson’s agent and asked him to inform Herr Perelson he would be in the audience that

evening.

Josef made an appointment to see Professor Bauer for two days from then and rode the train that morning to New York

City with Christina. Professor Bauer, or as he preferred, Dr. Bauer, was a giant of a man with a full gray beard that more

than compensated for his bald dome. He greeted Josef effusively.

“I am so pleased to meet you, Josef. I saw you and heard you play at Carnegie several years ago and have followed

your career since that time.” They talked for several more minutes, with Dr. Bauer asking questions about Josef’s career

before the doctor brought up the subject around to the reason for Josef’s visit.

“I’m sure you didn’t come just to chit-chat, Josef. How can I help you?”

Josef replied, “I’m at a time of my life where important decisions need to be made. I want to get a college education,

one that meets my specific needs.”

“And what are those needs?” asked Dr. Bauer.

“I would like to prepare myself to teach music, both piano and violin; at what level I’m not sure. At the same time I want

my music background to keep expanding. I’m certain my music skills, without trying to boast, are equal to or surpass many

musicians you have known but there are always new avenues to explore and new horizons to conquer.

“My dilemma is how to find the right college to do both. One of your colleagues, Christina Panelli, who is a good friend

of mine, had your name recommended to her.”

Dr. Bauer stroked his beard and said, “Interesting; it’s possible some arrangement could be made between Teachers’

College at Columbia and the Julliard School. I would be happy to look into that for you.”

“Thank you, Sir. That’s what I hoped you could do.” Josef gave Dr. Bauer Christina’s phone number, thanked him and

left.

During the next two weeks Josef traveled back and forth from the Panelli’s house to the city four different times. On the

first of those trips he again met with Dr. Bauer who took him to the Julliard School and introduced him to the Dean of

Admissions at the school. Dr. Samuels was a tall, slender black man in his early fifties.

The three of them sat in a comfortable lounge adjacent to Dr. Samuels’ office and talked about different options that

could be made available to Josef. Each one was a program specifically designed to meet Josef’s needs. After the first visit

with Dr. Samuels, Josef met with him twice more on a one to one basis to refine the options.

Following the second of these visits Josef again met with Dr. Bauer who helped Josef fill out all the necessary paper

work. A decision was made, with the assumption that Josef would be enrolled at both Columbia and at Julliard for the Fall

semester.

Back at the Panelli’s house, meanwhile, when Josef was not traveling back and forth to the city, he worked on his music.

He practiced on both the piano and the violin or added some new touches to his new etude.

With Christina back teaching, Mr. Panelli at work, Elena at school until mid-afternoon and both boys gone, Josef’s only

company during the day was Lucia. Elena’s practice sessions could no longer be held in the morning but late each

afternoon she and Josef found their way to the piano. Lucia could hear them practicing and, thanks to Josef, noticed much

improvement in Elena’s playing. She could also hear frequent giggling and knew that Elena and Josef were becoming close

friends.

One afternoon, as they were finishing the lesson, Elena’s and Josef’s hands inadvertently touched. Josef grasped her

hand in his and as they walked away from the piano they held each other’s hands. They separated at the door, both blushing

profusely.

When January 29th arrived the family took a train to the city where they met

Mr. Panelli for dinner before going to Carnegie Hall.

Jakob Perelson had received Josef’s message and sent him a note asking him to come backstage following the

performance. As expected, the program Herr Perelson presented was much to Josef’s liking. In addition to his exceptional

violin playing, he introduced another young protégé, this one a 10 year old girl violinist from Japan who played remarkably

well.

When Herr Perelson came on stage following intermission he made the announcement that Josef was in the audience.

“This young man is one of the most gifted musicians I have ever known. I had the pleasure of introducing him to the United

States audiences almost five years ago, and consider him a dear friend. Josef, stand up please.”

A spotlight began circling the audience until it came to focus on Josef standing up and waving to Herr Perelson on

stage.

After the performance Josef and the family hurried backstage where Josef received an effusive hug from Herr

Perelson.and then introduced the Panellis. The reunion once again became a recounting by Josef of his life for the past few

years and his plans for the future.

“I know Dr. Bauer quite well,” Herr Perelson said. “You won’t go wrong if you follow his advice.”

Josef returned to the Panelli’s home that night with Elena and Lucia. Christina, who had two morning classes, decided

to stay in town with Mr. Panelli at an apartment he kept for the frequent occasions when he had to stay in the city.

Three days later Lucia drove Josef to the airport for his return to Florence. Elena was not able to accompany them as

her school was in session. Before Josef left the house she made him promise to write to her and promised to write to him.

Josef, tongue-tied, promised and was left red-faced as Elena kissed him and fled to her room.

VIII: February - May, Year Two

For the next several months, until his Vienna concert in May, except for a week long visit to San Reino, Josef stayed with

Signor Marchetti in Florence. He put the finishing touches on his new violin etude and practiced the Chopin excerpt he

planned to use as part of his Vienna program.

Also during this period Josef used whatever spare time he had to study for an entrance examination Columbia required

before accepting him as a student. His correspondence also became more time consuming. In addition to his frequent

letters to Francesca and the occasional letter to Christina and to his friends in Porec, Josef began writing weekly letters to

Elena.

At first the letters were very formal and stiff, then as Elena’s answers arrived he loosened up. He started saying things

he would have been embarrassed to say to her in person such as: he missed her and wished he was there to continue his

teaching. He even composed a poem for Elena extolling her beauty and ranking her beauty with other women in history. For

the first few letters he had closed with ‘Your friend, Josef’ but as Elena’s letters began arriving and ended with ‘Love, Elena’

Josef changed to that closing also. His letters also became more voluminous, as did Elena’s. They began telling each other

details of their lives they would keep secret from others.

IN May Josef appeared as the guest soloist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Provided with a fifteen minute

time segment in each half of the program he played a selection of his own composition, including his new etude, then several

classics, among them the Chopin excerpt. As always he received a standing ovation after each segment of his program.

IX: June - July, Year Two

Shortly after his Vienna performance Josef received a call from his mentor at the Conservatory, Signor Vicenzia. “Your

entrance examination for Columbia has arrived and they would like you to complete it in the next few days with me as your

monitor.” Josef arranged to report to the Conservatory at noon the next day to take the four hour exam.

It was the most difficult examination Josef had ever taken and covered a multitude of subject matter from mathematics to

world history to literature. Josef came away from the test with the confidence that he had done well.

A few days later he received a letter from Lucia Panelli informing him that the family was planning to arrive in late June

for a month of touring Italy and inviting Josef to spend the month with them. They had already made hotel reservations in

various Italian cities, including Rome and Florence. The entire family, except the oldest son Anthony, would be traveling

together. Anthony had been accepted at Columbia Law School and would be attending summer school to get a head start.

Josef called Lucia immediately to accept the invitation and found himself speechless when Elena answered the phone.

Elena was also a little hesitant in her response but the two finally managed to say enough to make Josef’s acceptance

understood. Elena then handed the phone to her mother; Josef found Lucia much easier to talk to.

Three days before the arrival of the Panellis Josef received another phone call from Signor Vicenzia telling him he had

passed the test with flying colors and had been accepted at Columbia as a member of the freshman class starting in

September. Josef was so happy at the news he called Francesca, then Milo Kravitz in Porec asking him to inform Professor

Milosevic. Last of all he called the Panellis. Lucia answered the phone and was overjoyed to hear the news. This time she

handed the phone to Elena. At first, as on the previous call, both of them were tongue-tied. When they finally did break the

ice they babbled away for such a long time Lucia interrupted Elena and had her end the conversation.

On the morning of June 27th Josef flew from Florence to Rome to meet the Panellis when they arrived from New York

later in the day. As he waited for their arrival he pondered how he would greet Elena. If she was by herself he had no doubt

he would welcome her with a hug and a kiss, but with the rest of the family by her side he would be too embarrassed to do

that. As it turned out there was no problem. The entire family gathered around him, the males to shake his hand and the

women to hug him.

After collecting the luggage they all piled into a hotel shuttle bus that delivered them directly to their hotel, a few blocks

from the Vatican. Josef, during his music performances throughout Europe and the United State, had always stayed at top-

flight hotels but none of them compared to the luxury evident at the one where the Panellis had made reservations. It looked

to Josef as if the door-knobs and all the bathroom fixtures were made of solid gold.

A suite that included a large sitting room, three bedrooms and two bath rooms had been reserved. Josef and Michael

were to share one bedroom, Christina and Elena another and Mr. And Mrs. Panelli the third. Josef thought the bedroom he

shared with Michael was large enough to make three bedrooms in any other hotel.

To catch up from their jet lag the Panellis all excused themselves and retired to their rooms for a rest. Josef sat down in

a comfortable chair in the sitting room to read and had just made himself cozy when Elena came out of her room, a finger to

her lips, and walked over to Josef’s chair. Before he could rise she plopped onto his lap, threw her arms around him and

kissed him fully on the lips. “I missed you,” she said then giggled when she saw how red Josef’s face had become.

“I missed you too,” Josef stammered and then pushed Elena to her feet. “Let’s go for a walk. We’ll leave a note to tell

the others.”

They picked up a street map of Rome at the hotel desk, marked the location of the hotel and set off to explore. For the

next two hours they walked, hand in hand, through the congested streets of the old city. They wandered as far as the

Spanish Steps and to the nearby Trevi Fountain before deciding it was time to return to the hotel. At one park they passed

Josef had Elena sit on a playground swing while he pushed her. Elena rewarded him with a long lasting kiss. As they

neared the hotel Josef bought Elena and himself an ice cream cone; Elena’s first taste of Italian ice cream.

They were greeted with frowns as they entered the suite, by all except Michael. He considered their meandering another

subject to joke about, which eased the tension on Mr. And Mrs. Panelli’s part. “Here comes the love birds,” Michael

exclaimed, causing Elena and Josef to again turn crimson.

“I’m sorry, Mama,” Elena said. “I hadn’t seen Josef for so long I wanted to be alone with him for a while.”

Josef mumbled his apology too.

“In the future we would like to know exactly where you’re going and what time you’ll be back,” admonished Lucia. “For

safety’s sake.”

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