April, 2007

The trip certainly started off on the wrong foot. I began the day running with my luggage to the airport shuttle stop, just in time to see the bus leave. Well, I knew I’d still make it on time to the airport, barrring any “unforseen” complications. As a side note, I guess when you book with Air Canada, you might actually be flying with a different airline, such as United Airlines. This information would have been useful to me. Once I eventually got to US Customs (which, by the way, had 8 customs officers serving US citizens and 1 for Canadians...this all being at the Toronto airport), here is how the conversation went (Note: the part of the officer should be played with a red moustache and without much personality):

Officer: Where are you going.
Yu: Washington DC
Officer: Why.
Yu: For a piano concert.
Officer: So you’re a pianist?
Yu: No, actually I’m a dentist.

Officer: So then why are you playing the piano?
Yu: Well, it’s for the WIPAC concert, celebrating amateur pianists.
Officer: Are you getting paid?
Yu: No. It’s for amateur pianists.
Officer: Are people paying to see you play?
Yu: Well, yes there is an admission price but it’s a fundraiser.
Officer: (interrupts) Where are you staying?
Yu: Fairfax VA (which I realized later was 2 miles from Virginia Tech, and 2 days after the horrible killings).

So...despite answering all questions correctly, I was convinced by the officer that my story was false. They’re pretty good at making you feel that way. I was sent for further questioning, was told to wait (eventually 2 hours) and was asked the exact same questions again. Once they found the concert online, and knew it was legitamite, I was ready...finally…

...to leave the airport

...and start all over again, as I was told I’d have to check-in again since I missed my flight. How convenient! Well, I did finally get to Washington, and from there it was a great experience. The concert was held in the beautiful Cultural Institute of Mexico, and featured 4 winners from International Amateur Piano Competitions.

I was particularly excited because my cousins, Clara and John, were going to come in from Ellicott City to attend. This was a real treat to see them!

Henri Delbeau is an accomplished physician (Inpatient Internist) at the Long Island Jewish Hospital. He mentioned he was still working in New York up this morning before the concert. SOUNDS FAMILIAR!!! Now that’s the life of a true amateur pianist. He was the winner of the Berlin, Boston and Washington Piano Competitions. Bravo, Henri!

How’s this for a resume...Christopher Shih is a Harvard graduate, and completed his medical degree at Johns Hopkins. Oh...and he was also one of the top 4 ranking Americans in the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition! Wow...I was really looking forward to meeting this guy. As expected he and everyone were very friendly and funny. He won the Washington Competition, and recently placed 2nd in Paris...despite me rooting for him!

I had met Ye Feng in Paris last year, after he had won the competition. It was a pleasure to meet him, and more so to see him again. Ye Feng is a second-hand piano restorer, with a degree in Import/Export Business Administration. I was happy to catch up with him, and hopefully I’ll get a chance to hang out with him and his harrom of girls in Shanghai some day. I figured he’s quite the lady’s man out there! Here he is practicing in the gorgeous Cultural Institute of Mexico, where the concert was held.

The set up was really cool...as a true “salon concert” style. Here is a good friend, Robert Finley (pianist and organizer of the Boston competition) playing a beautiful rendition of Faure’s 3rd Barcarolle for me, because I told him I was interested in learning it. He is preparing himself for the Van Cliburn amateur competition, so I wish him all the best!

The piano was in the center, with the audience very close and surounding you in all directions. They could hear every nuance as if they were playing the piano with you. The Steinway was a bit suffering, but in good condition, given that it was 90 years old! Chateau and John Gardecki, organizers of the event, were absolutely on top of things. And a big congratulations goes out to Jean Wigham, who seemed to be running around 24 hours, preparing things for the reception. She told me an interesting story of how she was in the Pentagon while the plane crashed during 9/11. Anyways, my hat goes off to all that worked on such a successful event!

For more information, visit http://www.wipac.org and perhaps in the future there will be a recording from the concert on that site!