The Cara and Andy Show

Before leaving home arrangements had been made for DW TV (Deutsche Welle) to join us during our European Tour at Eisenach, the birthplace of Bach, and the location of the Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther was held in protective custody.

Choristers Cara and Andy Blackwood had agreed to be the focus for Uta, our camera toting reporter from DW. She followed our chosen couple around for about four hours on March 15th. Later we were told that the feature called Our Eisenach would be broadcast as part of the show, Discover Germany. The German version of this program is called Hin und Weg and the five minute segment, Unser Eisenach. We were informed that once the show had been broadcast (on or around April 10th), it would then be accessible on-line through the DW TV website starting after the broadcast, and right through to the end of December 2010.

Elfrieda and I had several years ago arranged to receive DW TV through Rogers Cable (Channel 195). For this extra service, we pay about $5 per month. It is always very interesting to view the world through the perspective of central Europe, and at the same time - because many of the shows are broadcast in German and then at another time in English - it has helped both of us improve our working knowledge of the German language. A few months ago I was watching DW TV, and came across the show, Discover Germany. At the end viewers planning a trip to Germany were invited to let them know of this pending visit because "you just might be featured". Within five days the positive response came, and the rest of the arrangement was handled through back and forth e-mails.

Well, the first broadcast of this show was set for 7:30 PM (our time) on Saturday April 10th. Consequently we invited fellow travellers and choristers to come to our house to see the show (albeit in the German language) and to celebrate this world premiere of Mein Eisenach, featuring Cara and Andy Blackwood and the Grand River Chorus.

That's why the two of us - along with our six guests, Richard Cunningham, Thelma Silverthorne, Lynda Newhouse, Margaret Canning, Jane Daw and Lou Knechtel, waited in anticipation for the start of the show. Because this 26 minute show featured the Brantford bit near the end, we decided to drink some wine and then celebrate with some champagne to toast the accomplishment of being part of this world premiere television event. We had no idea what to expect because Uta Geiser, the camera reporter had recorded about 4 hours of material for this 5 minute segment. When I had first contacted DW TV about this they had said that they could not feature the choir, as this kind of a show concentrated on the emerging impressions of an individual or couple about what they were seeing and experiencing in Germany. But even before we had left Canada, Uta had checked it out and informed me that DW TV had agreed to film our choir singing a number, so that she would have some material to work into the segment if possible.

As the broadcast began on Saturday, we were delighted to see that near the beginning, the host gave a short preview about what to expect, and lo and behold we, at that time already, saw footage of the choir. That made me really happy - to find out that Uta had come through for us. In the last five minutes of the show, Hin und Weg, we saw how skilfully Uta had woven the story together, and how enthusiastically the Blackwoods had participated in this venture. That called for another toast, and it was good that there was a bit of that champagne left to help out.

During the period April 10 - 12, the DW TV program guide showed that 2 broadcasts in German and 2 in English were indicated, the last being at 2:30 PM on the Monday April 12th. We didn't know if DW TV would wait until all four of these broadcasts were completed before making the program available on-line through 'Video on Demand'.

Well, it didn't take long to find out! The next day, one of our guests, Jane Daw, informed us that she had been contacted by Christine Schütz, our Austrian Tour Guide, to let us know the segment (German version) was already on the DW TV website. Today the English version was also posted, and now both can be viewed through the 'video on demand' feature.

For the segment, Our Eisenach, use this link: http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_single_mediaplayer/0,,5455674_type_video_struct_9822_contentId_5407350,00.html


To see the Unser Eisenach version, use this link: http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_single_mediaplayer/0,,5454352_type_video_struct_0_contentId_5454376_start_1215_end_1535,00.html

To see the whole of the Discover Germany show (so as not to miss the introduction of our segment) use this link: http://www9.dw-world.de/tagesvideo/index.php?t=episodes_en&s=681 Once the page shows up, look to the right for the list of shows listed from the most recently broadcast down. Then drag down the grey slider until you see 'Discover Germany' 11.04.10. Click on it and the program should start. You can watch the whole thing, or wait until the intro part about Cara & Andy is finished, and then use the slider along the bottom to pull it to the right until you are at about 6 miunutes from the end. You will then see the segment about Eisenach. It's simpler than it sounds.

Please take a look and let us know what you think!

Another blog about our tour

Here's another blog about our tour:

http://www.travelpod.com/members/andy_n

Andy has several travel blogs, and to see the one related to the Grand River Chorus 2010 European Tour, you need to look for "Taking Canada to Europe" by scrolling down a bit, and looking top left.

The e-piano used for the tour

During our tour we needed to be assured of a keyboard for use at rehearsals and for some of our concerts. Our friend Karl-Heinz Hartmann (Charly) helped get us access to a very good one at a reasonable rate. He also picked it up and drove it from his home near the Netherlands border to Leipzig where he ensured it was available on the first day (March 13) when our tour group arrived.

The rental cost was covered by a very generous donation from Lee Ann Chan, owner of Eagle Place Apothecary, but the arrangement required that we get the e-piano and its associated equipment back to Charly at the end of the tour. It had to be back within 2 weeks of when he had picked it up. A big thanks to Lee Ann and Charly for their help.

Well, today Charly showed up in the village of Stadtkyll, and we handed over the piano to him to take back to where he had rented it. During the 8 day concert tour one of our choristers, Stuart Bergstra, who is the husband of our accompanist, Anne-Marie, looked after the piano, making sure it was safe and with the help of volunteers getting it to the sites where we needed it.

Once we got to the Munich Airport on March 21st, Stuart handed it over to Elfrieda and me, and we took it to the Hertz car rental where we picked up our vehicle. The piano and all of its accompanying equipment rode, with us as we travelled from Munich Airport to my cousin's house in Goeppingen (near Stuttgart), where we stayed for 2 nights. On the 23rd we continued our journey across Germany to the little town of Stadtkyll (near the Belgian border). Today Charly arrived to pick it up and after a short visit we waved goodbye to him and the e-piano.

Monday March 22

As far as I know the group has arrived back home safely. I saw the Facebook posting by Lynda, and had an e-mail message from Pat Lenz. Apparently, there is a suggestion that we get the whole choir together, including those who did and did not make the tour. This would help to keep us unified around our common purpose. I look forward to that experience and have some pictures to share. Gary D has said he would set up a site where we can share pictures of our experience in Europe.

Today we sepnt time with Gerhard and Lena at their home. It was a beautiful sunny day here in Goeppingen, and we went to the town centre to do some shopping. At the end we stopped in the square and had some Eis.

Later we caught up on some work like laundry and blogging, and then ended with an evening where we shared pictures of trips and experiences.

Along the way we had a Skype experience with Bob & Anne, and Terry and Marilyn. They are safely ensconced in their holiday bungalow in southern France, and are almost ready to laugh about their experiences they had along the way and on arrval.

Departure day for our group - sad goodbyes

Sunday March 21st
After our wonderful Mozart Saturday evening in Salzburg Austria, we packed (sort of) and went to bed, to be awakend at an ungodly hour by a call organized by Christine. There was no time to have a buffet breakfast, so a quick shower, followed by getting all the baggage to the side of the bus, moved things along closer to our departure. As not all were coming on the bus, there were some tearful goodbyes.

Finally, the bus was loaded, all passengers boarded and a quick final roll call was implemented by Christine. Then we were ready for our trip to the Munich Airport.

It's only a short few kilometres over the border from Austria, and we were soon enjoying the scenery of the German countryside. The farther along we went the more mountains we saw. Along the way we had our boxed breakfast, took some photos, and chatted with the other passengers. It was hard to believe that our tour is over. A big thanks to Stuart B. and all his helpers for looking after the e-piano during the tour.
















Thank you, Anne Marie, for coming along and doing such great work as our accompanist.


























Finally we arrived at Munich Airport, and everyone got their luggage and moved as a group with Christine towards the check-in. As Elfrieda and were continuing on by car, we said our good byes to the group. Those of us renting cars moved toward that area of the airport, assisted by a colleague of Christine's.

We went to pick up our car and had to upgrade to a larger automobile to ensure that we had enough room for the e-piano and all of its accompanying equipment. We got a Volvo, and were ready to head up to the parking area to get our car, when Alex Morris asked for help with directions from the Munich Airport to the hotel they (Alex & Joyce, Ruth and Larry) had booked in Munich. We did the best we could and then went with the luggage and equipment to the car. Once there we spotted a big scratch that had not been listed on the damage sheet, so while Elfrieda went down to report this (with a picture of it on our digital camera) I loaded up the car - not an easy task. Soon Elfrieda was back and we headed off with the help of our GPS that we had bought in Brantford. It proved to be of great help.

We found that the signs along the autobahn were very clear, so we just looked for turns that would head us toward Stuttgart. Goeppingen, where my cousin Gerhard and his wife Lena live, is a short jaunt off of the Autobahn before you get to Stuttgart. We made one stop in a small town for a 'smiley break' and coffee, and carried on. We found that there was quite a bit of construction along the way so that slowed down the traffic. Once we turned off the highway the GPS proved it's worth as we followed it's twists and turns that brought us to Gerhard and Lena's home in a neighbourhood overlooking the town. The trip took about 3 hours, and we arrived a bit later than planned.

When we got there they were waiting with a sumptuous lunch ready, and we were joind by Rolf and his family. Later in the afternoon we went to Cousin Emma's house, where 20 or more relatives showed up. We shared stories as we enjoyed the grand buffet and drinks that were at the ready. After a drive back to Gerhard's place we headed for bed, and a well deserved rest at the end of a very long day.

Our final evening in Austria

Our final evening in Austria was a dinner at a great restaurant with special entertainers performing music from Mozart operas. before we went to our hotel to change Jane Daw and Jane Duncan arranged for special awards for those who helped out in unique ways. The final award went to John Howe - Mr. Congeniality. We also called on Mayor Mike Hancock to help thank two very special people - our driver Erich and our tour guide, Christine.


Our driver, Erich, did a magnificent job for us over 9 days of travel through three European countries.







After thanking Erich and making a presentation to him, Mayor Hancock thanked our tour guide Christine, and presented her with a City of Brantford apron.
Of course we tipped these 2 special people generously!




Jane and Jane make a special presentation to Mr Congeniality, John Howe.










Our driver picked us up and dropped us off as close as possible to the special restaurant for our final evening. Here's what one website said about this experience:
Promo for our final evening:
Dine at the oldest restaurant in Europe, Stiftskeller St. Peter, while listening to the music of Mozart. Enjoy a delicious three course candlelit dinner, prepared as it would have been in the 17th and 18th centuries, while local opera singers and musicians perform some of Mozart's finest work. Let yourself by transported into the Salzburg of Mozart's time, complete with the colorful costumes and culinary delights so popular in the last 18th century. Allow yourself to be whisked off into a world of enchantment, be a guest of Mozart!

This evening includes a delicious 3 course candlelit dinner, prepared according to traditional recipes from Mozart's era. The most popular compositions of W. A. Mozart are performed in candlelight by local musicians in historical costumes including two opera singers and musicians performing "A little night melody" as well as with arias and duets from operas "Don Giovanni", "Le Nozzi di Figaro" and "The Magic Flute".

Stiftskeller St. Peter is situated in the heart of Salzburg's old town, and the "oldest restaurant in Europe". It was first documented in the year 803, during Charlemagne's visit. A brilliant experience - don't miss it!

After we had settled into our places for our meal, we then were invited to go to a different room to be welcomed by a representative of the mayor of Salzburg, Dr Heinz Schaden.

A very congenial member of the City Council and cultural representative , Dagmar Aiden, welcomed us to Salzburg, and then asked us to sing. Of course we agreed to this. Afterwards she presented Mayor Hancock and myself with a book about Salzburg. After this Mayor Hancock and I presented her with some gifts.




We enjoyed the musical performances presented at three different times during the meal.























The setting was beautiful.












And, we had good comany at our table.

Salzburg - City of Mozart

After our stop at St Florian (near Linz), we stopped for lunch along the way to Salzburg. The time in this City of Mozart was way too short. I took a few pictures to share with you.





Our guide (with the sunglasses) knew a lot about Salzburg and Mozart, and explained things very well. The weather had warmed things up a bit, so we relished the experience of not shivering.

Salzburg was first famous for its wealth from salt (Salz), and we learned that Salzburg was not part of Austria during Mozart's time. Note the folks sitting along the grassy banks of the Salzach River. It truly was a magnificent day.


A busy street in Salzburg, not far from where Mozart was born. As in Vienna, the streets were filled with people.









This is where Mozart was born, and where the Mozart family lived. We got to tour their apartment, where one of the documents on display made mention to the Mozart family returning from a visit to the Neumanns, close friends of the Mozarts.












Another street scene showing a cafe with folks sitting outdoors.










We were scheduled to tour this church, but had arrived too late. The iron gates were shut.









A magnificent view of the Hohensalzburg Castle.










An outdoor chess experience. We watched it being played for a few moments.









Choristers taking in the sights.










A moment to relax a bit.













Marilyn, enjoying the moment.














Our tour guide answers a question from Richard.












On the left one can see part of the original city wall.

Stopping at St. Florian Monastery

Christine, our fabulous tour guide, says goodbye to our great hotel in Vienna, The Prince Eugen.











We catch sight of St Florian Monastery, our destination.












St Forian - first picture off the bus.













A more than spectacular library.













Ok, I found it! Now we can relax.













The ceiling in the great hall at St Florian.














Stunning.











Amazing how the picture seemed to shift so that it always looked the same no matter where you stood.








As always on theis trip, we had a really great tour guide at St Florian.










I loved this view, and guess what? The tunnel effect continued through the painting on the wall at the end.








Composer Anton Brückner wanted to be placed in a crypt right under the church organ, and that's wher he is. Try double clicking on the picture and then look at what's beyond the iron fence.







I wanted to capture the right perspective, so I got down on one knee and took a picture that included the Brückner's crypt, and the convergence of lines on the ceiling that shows where the organ is above. It's very cold down here, so we head quickly upstairs.









Here's the organ. Now it's time for us to sing Locus Iste, by Brückner.









The sound floated upwards into the dome above. A truly magical moment.

Musika Viva & The Grand River Chorus

After the concert with Musica Viva, we all went to Gatshaus-Heuriger Weimbacher for a meal and some socializing. Thanks to Erwin H. (of Vienna) for the photos in this posting and the previous one about the concert.














John Howe and I take one for the team - the responsibility of hosting choristers (mostly sopranos) from our host choir in Vienna







Bob & Anne Saunders socialize with a few at their table.

More socializing going on.

Richard gets everyone singing ....

...... with the help of Florian.

Even non choristers are getting into it ... way to go Jim!!

Richard and Murray are up to something.

Is that Jim Dunning singing a solo?

We're singing our national anthem here, I think.