Kathy Saltzman Romey - Sabbatical Reflections: October 2014

On Sunday, I travelled to the Pfalz to visit the historic city of Speyer and Greta Konradt, the American musicologist who has been assisting with us with the Messiah book project. Greta works for the Office of Church Music in the Pfalz, managing among other things, the activities of the Protestant Youth Kantorei of the Pfalz (http://www.ejuka.de/vorschau.html). The choir was founded in 1951 and includes singers from the entire region ages 18-30, who come together for to present three to four major projects a year under director Jochen Steuerwald. The ensemble performs music from the Renaissance through the 21st Century, focussing on major works for orchestra and choir.

Upon my arrival, we began with a lovely walking tour of the city taking in the sites and enjoying a little time at a wine festival on the Main Street. Later that afternoon, I observed a rehearsal with the choir of works by JS and CPE Bach. In the evening, we went to Greta's home in Moosbach, a charming village located approximately 30 kilometers from Speyer just outside of Neustadt. We enjoyed a traditional meal at a local tavern and then sampled new wine at the vinter across the way. The following pictures document some of that visit.

A walk through the historic cemetary...

and its chapel...

by the local synagogue...

and its garden...

into the historic city of Speyer marked by the West Gate Tower...

built in the 13th century and one of the most significant remaining German tower gates.

Coats of arms outside the local Cafe...

Speyer City Hall and...

The Stadthaus (town house) leading to...

the Speyer Cathedral: One of the most important sites of Romanesque Architecture.

The entrance and magnificent doors...

guarded to the left...

and right by saints and kings.

The historic nave: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/168

with its remarkable paintings, sculpture and...

chapel leading into the crypt housing the graves of Kings from the Holy Roman Empire.

Entry into the crypt of the Kings...

with a listing of those buried below...

and a view of the grave site.

Leaving the crypt...

a huge stone or 'cathedral bowl' located in front of the cathedral, which symbolized the border between the city and the diocese.

]

The protestant Dreifaltigkeitskirche from 1717...

with its beautiful Baroque interior of word carvings,

paintings and

beautiful organ loft.

The Office for Church Music, home of the Protestant Youth Chorale (Ev. Jugend Kantorei)

www.facebook.com/pages/Evangelische-Jugendkantorei-der-Pfalz/161291453931661

Pictures of the choir's activity.

A charming tavern for dinner and a traditional meal of Saumagen, sauerkraut and salad.

The local vintner and process of making new wine...

and a final glass of wine with Greta Konradt and her lovely partner Norbert. Prost!!

During the Chamber Music Festival, I developed a severe kidney infection. I was fortunate to receive immediate treatment from the many doctors in attendance at the festival. I am especially grateful to Drs. Gerhardt and Sybille Mueller-Schwefe for their generosity and care. In the days after the festival, I was able to indulge in some much needed rest and renewal, in addition to having time to complete the appendix materials for Carus. Towards the end of the week, I felt much better and enjoyed some lovely afternoon walks and hikes. The following pictures will hopefully allow you to also appreciate some of the incredible beauty and history of the area. Enjoy!