Evan tries out the Bosendorfer at the castle

Today was possibly our busiest day at IMFA thus far. We began with our second concert in the Duino castle. In addition to chamber music, one of our composers, Evan Twichell, played a solo piano work to great interest and acclaim.

I had not been inside the castle before today, and I found it to be endlessly interesting, with lots of rooms full of displays, including a large historical instrument collection. Most interesting to me were a strange questionnaire completed by a visiting Mark Twain, a sketch from Mahler’s Third Symphony (a gift from Alma), and a picture of the future Tsar Nicholas II, signed “Nicky.” I was fortunate to meet the Princess, who lives in the castle and carries on its traditions of hospitality.

Spiral staircase in the Duino castle

Later in the afternoon, we made our way to Udine, a city about 1 hour from Duino. We performed a second concert of chamber music at a beautifully preserved baroque church, with an equally

Sorry, Messiaen (and Bach!)–your music won’t work so well on these pedals

well-preserved baroque instrument. This is a kind of instrument I’ve read about but not encountered in person. There was a single manual and a small number of pedals. As reported previously, the composition studio composed a joint work for solo organ, and Stefano and I did our best to realize it as best we could. We enjoyed a lovely reception hosted by the church and the local Mozart Society, which has been a good supporter of IMFA this month. All of the performers and composers on the concert received flowers–a first for many of our participants!

Ben, Neil, Jamie and Evan with their flowers

Interior of the church in Udine