Marlboro began in 1951. Still in the aftermath of the Second World War, the founders Rudolf Serkin and Adolf Busch were refugees from the Nazis.
Seventy years later, for the first time in our history, we were forced to cancel our festival by another sort of virus. Missing the time in Marlboro with musicians young and old and all the friends, is a huge loss to my life.
When you are in Marlboro the rest of the world disappears. In rehearsals you dig in your heels and try again and again, time after time! It takes time to get closer to the truth, in music and in life. Maybe this is the lesson you take with you from Marlboro. And we are allowed to fail to reach the platform for a performance – only to play for ourselves or just a few friends. For me that is a beautiful concept. Above all there is joy, surprise and discovery in shared chamber music. Not to forget the arguments over a glass of wine or beer, or my daily Egg Mac Marlboro. Plus looking at the stars from the terrace.
I cannot wait for next summer.
Long live Marlboro!!
