Josef

On Saturday night, when he was called back for an encore, he received permission to play a medley of jazz

arrangements on the piano. The crowd went wild.

For the New Orleans Jazz Festival Josef missed two days of classes at Columbia and one at Julliard. When he arrived

in New Orleans Wednesday evening he was met by his old friend from Julliard, Alexander Griffith, who was one of the lead

participants.

Never before had Josef been exposed to so much jazz. Every hall, every street corner, any place at all where an

audience could congregate had at least a three person combo playing, day and night throughout the three days of the

festivities. Josef appeared at three different evening gigs at three different venues each night, playing for an hour at each

before moving on to the next.

During the day he worked on his school work all morning and then toured the city with Alexander, listening to other jazz

musicians in the afternoon. Josef was so inspired he wrote a long letter to Elena describing his experiences along with his

thoughts that perhaps jazz piano should be his forte instead of concert violinist.

In the next several letters they exchanged after he returned to New York this was a lively topic of discussion. Elena finally

told Josef he had to follow his own heart in the matter and she would go along with his decision. She would love him no

matter what.

Later they talked for several hours on the phone. At that time Josef said, “Playing violin is serious music for me, jazz is

for fun. I could never take jazz seriously when I think about some of the jazz musicians I’ve met. Many of them drink a lot

and smoke a lot and some are into drugs. I couldn’t live that life style.”

Elena breathed a sigh of relief and replied, “I’m glad that’s your decision. We can enjoy jazz together but we don’t want

to live with that culture.”

Spring Break for the two came in different weeks; Josef’s week off was one week prior to Elena’s. They did manage to

spend the overlapping weekend together at the Panellis.’ Josef also completed his third quarter one week ahead of Elena.

Christina’s wedding, on the last Saturday in June, was a beautiful affair. Many friends and relatives of Christina whom

Josef had never met attended. The ceremony was held late in the morning; a reception followed at the Panellis’ house, with

the guests enjoying the beautiful garden Lucia had created in the huge back yard. The newlyweds flew to Paris for a month

of European travel before returning to live in Peter’s house in Connecticut.

XIII: July - August, Year Three

During the Spring Dr. Samuels informed Josef that a music festival was being held for a three week period in July at the

University of Connecticut at Storrs, Connecticut and that he, Dr. Samuels, would be the Director. “It will be quite a

prestigious affair,” Dr. Samuels told Josef. “Virtuoso from all over the world, on many different instruments, will be in

attendance, both to perform and to attend the various seminars which are to be held. I would be pleased to have you attend,

Josef. I’m sure you would find it inspiring, and you would also get college credit.”

Josef knew immediately he had to be part of it and, with Dr. Samuels help, filled out all the necessary application forms.

It would mean more time away from Elena but Josef knew that would happen occasionally throughout their lives.

When the festival was over he would join the Panellis at a lake in the Adirondacks where they had rented a cottage for July

and August.

The festival was all Josef hoped it would be, and more. There were lectures each day on different aspects of music and

music theory, and concerts each night featuring different soloists. Also, each day many of the musicians met to form a

symphonic orchestra that would perform at closing ceremonies.

Josef, on the evening that he soloed, played two of his own compositions on the violin and then, on the piano, rocked the

place with a swinging rendition of ‘St. Louis Blues.’ The next day four of the other participants sought him out and talked him

into leading a jazz combo for dancing that Saturday night.

It was amazing to Josef how many people showed up at the dance. Many of them loved jazz as well as they loved the

classical form. There was considerable foot stomping and rhythmic clapping.

For Josef, getting from Storrs to the Adirondacks was a challenging experience. There were no air flights to any city or

town close to the lake where the Panellis were staying. It was necessary for Josef to do the entire trip by Greyhound bus. He

changed buses twice between Hartford, where Dr. Samuels drove him to, and Tupper Lake, N.Y, where Michael and Elena

picked him up in a car. From Tupper Lake it was a 20 mile drive to the cottage on Saranac Lake.

Saranac Lake was one of the many beautiful lakes in the Adirondacks that had been discovered by the vacation crowd

more than 100 years earlier. The lake itself was about four and one-half miles long but no more than one-half mile at its

widest. With its many coves and inlets the shoreline was many times that. Each cove and each point seemed to have at

least one summer cottage on it. All of them privately owned and usually occupied by the family that owned it. Few were

available for rent and then at an exorbitant price.

The ‘cottage’ rented by the Panellis was a huge structure, not what Josef would think of as a cottage as he had seen

cottages in England. There were five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large kitchen and a large family room. As the entire

family was there when Josef arrived he would share a room with Michael. The cottage came with a long dock that the family

used as a swimming platform and to moor a fishing boat. As it was late evening when Josef arrived he wasn’t introduced to

any of the amenities until the next day.

In the morning Elena took Josef in the boat for a tour of the lake, stopping early in the tour to show him a small, wooded

island about 200 yards offshore from where the cottage was located.

“We can come here when we want to be alone,” she said, with an impish grin.”

Josef was quick to respond, “I hope we’re alone a lot.”

The month passed quickly. Many mornings several family members went fishing in the boat. Afternoons were usually

spent in or near the water. For Josef the swimming took getting used to; when he first put his foot in the water he withdrew it

quickly and exclaimed, “It’s cold!” The others laughed and teased him until he finally got wet all over. Each day for the first

week they went through the same ritual, with Josef remarking each time how cold the water was. After the first week Josef

got wet as quickly as any of them.

One short stretch of several days was rainy, which precluded any water activity. On those days many of them piled into

the car and drove to other scenic or historical locations in the area. One item missing from Josef’s routine was a piano; he

had brought his violin and practiced regularly.

XIV: September - December, Year Three

In September both Elena and Josef returned to school. Josef to take courses in English Literature, German, and more

advanced work in computer techniques. At Julliard he enrolled in a class for large orchestra arranging and a first course in

the world’s greatest operas.

He continued his occasional visits to the New York jazz club and got to know many of the musicians who appeared there,

including a few internationally known musicians who were doing a New York gig and dropped in at the club to jam following

their regular show.

Again, Josef spent Thanksgiving weekend with the Panellis. When he accompanied Lucia to the airport to pick up Elena

Lucia was no longer surprised that the two ignored her while they hugged and kissed passionately.

When they broke off she said, “From the way you greeted each other it looks like you still want to get married in June.

Am I right?”

“Yes,” the two replied, in unison.

“Okay, when we get home we’ll sit down with Dad and Christina and make plans.”

“Including my transfer to Columbia,” Elena threw in.

“That too.”

Angelo Panelli was not very receptive to the idea. “I have no objection to Josef; I think he’s a fine young man and will be

a good husband to Elena. But, they’re too young. They’ve just started college and have that to consider. My main concern is

that trying to keep up with their studies and hold a marriage together will be difficult.”

Lucia interrupted, “We did it while you were at law school and I finished NYU.”

“That was different,” Angelo replied. “I was older.”

“Oh,” now Lucia had a grin on her face. “You were older so it was you who held our marriage together?”

“I didn’t say that, but” here, for the first time, Angelo stammered and then added, “But that is what I said, isn’t it? That

sounds kind of pompous.”

Christina stepped in at this point. “I’ve known Josef longer than any of you and I agree he will make a wonderful husband

for Elena. If either of them is not mature enough it’s not Josef. He’s very serious about life and if you remember his

background you know why.”

“Wait a minute,” said Elena. “Are you saying I’m not mature enough?”

“I’m suggesting that, of the two of you, Josef is more mature. He has faced many situations in his life to bring about more

maturity than you have. You, when you’re by yourself, are very typical of most sophomore college girls I’ve known. When

you’re with Josef you’re a very different person. I think that’s in your favor. Your love for Josef has made you more mature

than other girls your age.”

“Well, where are we?” asked Lucia.

“We’re at a point where I think I’m outnumbered,” said Angelo. “Are you, Lucia, and you, Christina, both saying go for it?”

“I think they’ll be happy together and are ready to handle the situation as well as we did 32 years ago,” Lucia replied.

“And they are intelligent enough to handle the passion end of it too.”

“Yes, you didn’t get pregnant until the night you graduated from NYU,” said Angelo, with a grin. “Ah, memories. Okay, I

surrender. And I suppose you want a wedding as big as your sister’s.”

“Dad, I’m planning to get married only one time in my life, so yes. I want a big wedding.”

“I’m glad God gave me only two daughters, or I’d go broke. Now, you ladies sit down and make all the plans while Josef

and I do the man thing and have a drink together.”

Again, at Christmas, Josef returned to San Reino and then paid a brief visit to Signor Marchetti, this time without Elena.

While in Italy he informed all his friends of the wedding plans. “You will all be invited and I hope you will come.”

Before he returned to New York on December 30th Signor Marchetti flew him to Porec for a return visit. He was amazed

at the changes that had taken place. In addition to other city buildings construction at the university had been completed and

a full agenda of classes scheduled. Josef met with both Milos Kravitz and Professor Milosevic and brought them up to date

with his life, including his engagement. He was saddened to learn that Professor Milosevic’s wife had died the previous

year. While in Porec he made tentative plans to return in two years and present a concert at the university.

After returning to New York Josef sat down with Lucia and Elena and helped them assemble a comprehensive guest list

for the wedding. For his part Josef added the names of all the people who had befriended him in Italy and Croatia. Some of

them he knew would not come but he wanted them all to be aware of his upcoming marriage.

On his list he began with the Cellas, Signor Marchetti and Signor Vicenzia. These he was certain would attend. Those

he was uncertain about were the fisherman, Antonio, and his wife Maria, and Anton, the restaurant owner from Porec, and

Maestro Bonino from Florence. From New York he listed Dr. Samuels from Julliard, Dr. Bauer from Columbia and Alexander

Griffith.

It was decided the Cellas would stay with the Panellis for the duration of their wedding stay. This Lucia was adamant

about as they were Josef’s family. All others from Europe would be housed at a hotel a few miles from the Panellis, along

with others from Elena’s side who needed housing.

To expedite Elena’s transfer to Columbia Christina had brought her all the forms she would need and suggested she,

Christina, handle the transfer for Elena. “All you will need is a transcript of your academic record at Williams when this

school year ends,” she told Elena.

Elena also spoke to her dad, “Josef and I hadn’t asked you but we’ve both assumed you will let us live in your Manhattan

apartment. Is that okay with you, Papa?”

“I think that would be a good idea. I don’t know where else you would expect to find free rent.”

“Thank you, Papa. You’re the greatest,” Elena replied and threw her arms around Angelo.

When Josef and Elena were alone together they talked about where they should go for their honeymoon.

“We could go on a cruise,” Elena suggested, “one that has entertainment and dancing every night, which we probably

wouldn’t see because.” She then reddened and was not able to finish her comment.

“How about Paris?” asked Josef. “It’s supposed to be one of the most romantic cities in the world.”

They discussed several other options but decided they were not ready to make a decision.

“Let’s think about it some more and talk about it during our phone calls,” Josef suggested.

“I know what,” said Elena, then blushed a deep red again. “We could lock ourselves in Papa’s apartment and throw

away the key.”

“You’re way ahead of me in your thinking,” Josef replied, also a little embarrassed. “You’ve had the advantage of having

a family that’s very open with each other about sex and other subjects of that nature. I’ve had none of that, so maybe you’ll

have to teach me.”

“All I know is what my parents and Christina have told me particularly Mom. She had told me details about sex that I’m

sure are more explicit than most mothers would disclose, so in that way I think I’m ready for marriage. There are books you

can get that would be helpful to you. Let me ask my brothers to recommend one or two.”

XV: January - June, Year Four

During the Spring Josef again had two concerts; one in March at the San Francisco Jazz Festival where he once more

met with Alexander Griffith. Alexander was so pleased to hear about the upcoming wedding that Josef, on the spur of the

moment, asked him to be his best man.

“It would be an honor,” Alexander replied.

In April Josef was invited to be the guest soloist, on his violin only, at the Minneapolis Symphony’s annual Easter

program.

The San Francisco program coincided with Josef’s Spring break which meant he didn’t miss any school time. For the

Easter concert he adjusted his program so that he missed only two days.

As a result of many phone conversations Elena and Josef decided to spend two weeks in Paris for their honeymoon,

flying from New York the day after the wedding. For their wedding night Lucia suggested they use the apartment in

Manhattan but Elena demurred. “Knowing Michael he would probably have all kinds of practical jokes set up for us. We’ll

find a place close to the airport.”

This they did; an elegant bed and breakfast was located in a country setting 20 miles from the airport. The host even

offered to drive them to the airport the following morning.

June arrived quickly and, as the wedding day approached, Josef had a case of the jitters, something that had never

happened to him at any of his performances. He was so nervous sleep became difficult. Michael had to walk him through

the selection of his tuxedo and other items he would need. Fortunately, Alexander arrived several days early and provided a

stabilizing influence.

Three days before the wedding the contingent from Italy arrived, all except Maestro Bonino, who was ill and sent his

apologies. Anton, the restaurant owner from Porec, and Antonio, the fisherman, also sent their regrets. Anton was too busy

with his restaurant and could not get away; Antonio was too poor to make the trip and refused to let Josef pay for his and

Maria’s fare.

The Saturday of the wedding was a beautiful, sunshiny June day. Josef was so nervous Alexander had to practically

dress him. By the time the ceremony began he had recovered enough that he was able to proceed with no outward sign of

nerves. The two newlyweds stayed for part of the reception and then were driven by Alexander to the bed and breakfast for

their wedding night.

Paris was delightful. At the recommendation of Signor Vicenzia, who knew Paris intimately, they had reserved a room at

a small hotel on the left bank. They were surrounded by small cafes and shops they could walk to. Even Notre Dame was

within walking distance, as was the Louvre. For other, more distant sights, they either walked or took the Metro, the old but

excellent city transportation system.

Everywhere they went, everyone they met, they were seen as a young couple very much in love. And they were.

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