11 January 2014: Saturday ... it is rainy, gloomy and dreary day highlighted by "dog walk" talk with Heide ... signing up for a Pen Pal website ...

Performance space at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square.

In downtown Kennett Square ... suggested walk venue w/Heide and Dancer, or course, on Sunday, January 12, 2014, beginning at 1:30 p.m. 

  

Further out via the Oxford/Kennett Square Highway (Route #1), about 40 minute drive from home, this looks to be an interesting place that Heide and Dancer and myself can discover in the future.

Just heard a terrific thunder boom (Linda heard it too as she was lunching out with a friend at Panera's and thought an accident had occurred) as the rain continues to pelt down at 12:15. It's unusual in winter to hear thunderstorm activity and it certainly surprised Dancer, who jumped up in the TV room at the sound. The fire alarm is now sounding, a regular occurrence in the area. 

Took the photo after I left the performance space with a need to cough. Avoided returning to my seat because I thought it too disruptive during the final movement of the Mendelssohn.

Clockwise from top left: Larry Stomberg, cellist; Esme Allen-Creighton,
violist (would never have played any other instrument); Kate Ransom, violinist (plays
the only Serafin instrument, made by Sanctus Serafin in 1728); and Lisa Vaupel, violinist
she and Kata switch playing first violin ... in tonight's concert, Lisa played first for
the Wolf and the Mendelssohn and Kate finished up with the Debussy).

Great concert tonight at Trinity Episcopal, the historic church at the beginning of downtown Wilmington, next to a bank building -- the old clashing with the brazen new and ugly. But tonight's concert was the opposite of disgust as it highlighted the beauty of the quartet and the artistry of Serafin playing Wolf, Mendelssohn, and Debussy. Just a joy which I shared with Linda at this beautiful church with superb acoustics.

Afterward I got to talk with the founder of the quartet and switching first violinist (the two share the first chair), Kate Ransom, who shared a story of meeting with mom and dad at an organ concert in a church where there was a small gathering and really getting to talk. She remembered them well. She went on to talk about her violin, a Serafin, made by Sanctus Serafin in 1728 and bought from the 1st chair of the Toyko String Quartet, her mentor and teacher. 

Lot 128: A Fine Italian Violin by Sanctus Serafin, Venice circa 1730
(Kate Ransom's violin was made in 1728.)

                                      Estimates :

                                                        £70,000 - £100,000