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Just as an FYI for other members of the tour in case anyone is looking...At the Aldstadt Hotel (#1 on Tripadvisor), they have a Bösendorfer room...yes, you can have a beautiful Bösendorfer grand in your room if staying in Vienna past the tour date. But there's only one such room. Still available currently.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
Oh! I just want to mention that Vienna has the musicians corner at the Vienna central cemetary. That is where Brahms, both Strauss father and son, Beethoven, Schubert, and other muscians are laid to rest. There is a Mozart memorial there too, but he is actually buried in another cemetary in the city. I went there once, but don't really like cemetaries.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
The cemetary (Zentralfriedhof) is 25 min. by public transport from the hotel.
From the train station across the street from the hotel, (westbahnhof):
Underground train U3 in the direction of simmering, Getting off at the Landstrasse stop.
At the Landstrasse stop, going upstairs following the S signs for the Schnellbahn, and take the S7 (schnellbahn #7) in direction Flughafen Wien or Wolfstal. Getting off at Zentralfriedhof stop.
Cost is 3.80 euro round trip. Or you can take a taxi, but probably costs some 20 euro.
Does everyone from U.S. have their passport? Or have them renewed if need be? Just happened to think, if we have a government shut down, you probably couldn't get one processed.
Does everyone from U.S. have their passport? Or have them renewed if need be? Just happened to think, if we have a government shut down, you probably couldn't get one processed.
Good point. And even if we don't have a shut down, it takes time to get them processed. Some countries require your passport be valid at least 30 days passed your stay there.
We've also registered our trips with the Dept. of State. Not a bad idea. Then you know where the consulates are and they have a record of who you are.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
I'm most happy for you all who will visit the rich cultural traditions of Europe.
If anyone happens to stray from pianos and also 'spot' a pipe organ -or a few-: take photos of prospect, console or innards, listen or record, talk with knowledgeable professionals or even test/play - I'd be glad to get this experience shared !!
I'm most happy for you all who will visit the rich cultural traditions of Europe.
If anyone happens to stray from pianos and also 'spot' a pipe organ -or a few-: take photos of prospect, console or innards, listen or record, talk with knowledgeable professionals or even test/play - I'd be glad to get this experience shared !!
Best wishes to all !
A very real possibility ROMagister.
I'm certainly fascinated by pipe organs, as is Kathy. No doubt there are others on our tour as well.
Not much point in my playing one as my classical organ is limited to about two measures of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. After that I'm strictly an old rock and roll player.
But we will try to get some pictures and education while we're happily taking in Germany and Austria.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
Quick question all: I have my birth certificate, drivers license and social security card... How long does it take to get a passport?
Is there time for me to go since I have never gotten a passport before? My wife needs hers renewed but she thinks that takes less time to accomplish.
On-line; via travel.state.gov, it is saying 2-3 weeks for expedited service...
Nord Grand, Kawai MP11 (v1), iMac 2017, Yamaha HS8's, Sennheiser 650, Focusrite 2i4, Pianoteq 6.4.0, Steinway Model A, Mason and Hamlin Model AA, Piano Marvel: 3C
Quick question all: I have my birth certificate, drivers license and social security card... How long does it take to get a passport?
Is there time for me to go since I have never gotten a passport before? My wife needs hers renewed but she thinks that takes less time to accomplish.
On-line; via travel.state.gov, it is saying 2-3 weeks for expedited service...
My sister used the expedited service to renew hers, took about 2-1/2 weeks.
I don't know about where you are, but when I applied (I was in CT at the time) they required the "long form" birth certificate, certified with the city seal on it.
We'd love to have you join the tour, but you'll really need to get on the passport thing pronto. You'd also need to let Elle (our travel agent) know (elle@hillstravel.com) right away so they can make arrangements for your hotel rooms/meals etc.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
I will be back in Reno on Tuesday and will get to the post office that same day. I will check with them to see what the requirements are. I think I have the birth certificate short form...
Thanks Frank and I will let Elle know as soon as I find out my status.
To tour all four "super brands" on the same trip... What a treat!
Nord Grand, Kawai MP11 (v1), iMac 2017, Yamaha HS8's, Sennheiser 650, Focusrite 2i4, Pianoteq 6.4.0, Steinway Model A, Mason and Hamlin Model AA, Piano Marvel: 3C
JUST ADDED TO OUR TOUR, courtesy of our own Robin Meloy Goldsby (the Piano Girl). And yes, we're going to fit it in the matter what.
Hi Frank,
A bit of unexpected good news.
The WDR (Westdeutsche Rundfunk) is Germany's public broadcasting network of radio and television stations, similar to the BBC, except bigger. This is where my husband works. The WDR supports a symphony orchestra, a pops orchestra, a choir, and a big band (John's band).
They have a lovely piano atelier and selection room, which house some of the finest instruments in the country, used by some of the world's most renowned concert artists.
John says they have a very valuable collection of historic "Beethoven" pianos, cembelo, harpsicord, etc... Plus the main concert Steinways and 1 concert Bechstein.
So., long story longer, the esteemed Hans Giese (head piano technician for the WDR) has offered to show your group the piano atelier (yes, you'll be able to play most of the instruments). The WDR is directly across from the Dom Cathedral, which you will be touring (according to the info I have) on June 7th. It would be very easy to just walk to the WDR from the Cathedral and check out these amazing instruments. The radio orchestra system in Germany is an amazing part of the cultural scene here, and I think your group will get a kick out of seeing their piano atelier.
Question of timing: What time are you touring the Dom? The optimal time for Herr Giese would be sometime between 2 and 4. You could spend an hour in the atelier before heading to your hotel in Bonn.
Let me know what you think and we will make arrangements. If there's no time, that's okay, but I thought this would be a marvelous opportunity for everyone.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
only a few more days...! I wanted to catch up with you on our earlier posts from last year. Coming from nearby Aachen, I would love to join you on Tue Jun 7 for the Cologne evening event with Robin, maybe also for the Cathedral visit. What time do you expect these to be? And do you have an idea if you'd like to include the tour of the House Of Music in Vienna that I offered to help coordinate, with its interactive exhibit to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic?
Best,
- Jan
Yamaha YUS-5 SG; Roland V-Piano; Roland RD-800; Kurzweil RG-200; 1884 Bechstein upright
only a few more days...! I wanted to catch up with you on our earlier posts from last year. Coming from nearby Aachen, I would love to join you on Tue Jun 7 for the Cologne evening event with Robin, maybe also for the Cathedral visit. What time do you expect these to be? And do you have an idea if you'd like to include the tour of the House Of Music in Vienna that I offered to help coordinate, with its interactive exhibit to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic?
Best,
- Jan
Hi Jan,
I wish we could visit the House of Music in Vienna, but I believe our schedules are too tight. Here is the Cologne/Bonn scheduling, followed by our Salzburg/Vienna schedule.
7 June 07:00h depart for long distance transfer to Cologne 13:45h estimate arrival time 14:00h WDR Tour (contact Hans Giese) - Westdeutscher Rundfunk Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz, Eingang: Pilzbau An Der Rechtschule 3, 50667 Cologne, Germany
15:30h guided visit to Cologne Cathedral (duration about 1 hour) 17:00h continue to the city of Bonn 18:00h estimate time of arrival – check in 19:00h dinner at hotel
8 June 10:00h pre-booked guided visit to Beethoven museum (duration 45 minutes) Balance of the morning at leisure 14:30h departure from hotel to Schlosshotel Lerbach -about 50 minutes drive Adress: Lerbacher Weg, 51465 Bergisch Gladbach, 17:30h drive back to Bonn 18:30h dinner at hotel
And here is our Salzburg / Vienna Schedule (in between we have Leipzig, Bayreuth, and Munich)
14 June 09:15h pre-booked visit behind the scenes at Munich Nationaltheater (Opera House), duration about 1 hour. 10:30h inside visit to Cuvillies-Theater – one of the most important Rococo theaters in Germany. Afterwards walking tour of historic Munich city center Time for lunch on your own 13:30h Afternoon drive to Salzburg, check-in at your hotel 16:00h Have a 2 hour walking tour with a local Salzburg guide and visit the Mozart House, the birthplace of Mozart. 19:00h Reserved dinner at Restaurant Stieglbräu (walking distance) Rainerstr. 14, A – 5020 Salzburg
15 June 09:00h departure for drive to Vienna, stop for lunch en route (at own expense) -possibly stop at “Sound of music†chapel at Lake Mondsee
14.30h Meeting point for Tracy Newton: Entrance at Technisches Museum Local Guide Wien: Renate Bauer 14.30h Meet with the local guide at the Technisches Museum for special guided tour of the Piano Collection with audio sample. 16:00h visit to Castle Schoenbrunn, duration about 1 ½ hours 18:00h estimate arrival time at your hotel – check-in
19:30h dine with local wine and music in a wine village Reserved dinner at Weingut Reinprecht Cobenzlgasse 22, A – 1190 Wien
16 June 08:30h Meet in hotel lobby, bus drive to Wiener Neustadt (driving about 55 minutes) 09:30h Morning technical visit at Bösendorfer factory Adress: L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH Gymelsdorfergasse 42, A – 2700 Wiener Neustadt Transfer back to your hotel / or city center
15.00h Meet with your local guide in Vienna for afternoon city tour of Vienna. Meeting point: Schwedenplatz Combined driving/ walking tour through city center “Musical Viennaâ€
18:00h end of city tour 19:00h Dinner at your hotel
Most of us are departing on the 17th. In fact Kathy and I will be catching a 6:30 a.m. flight out.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...