Friend Patricia Gass told me I must write up the recent Bach’s Lunch recital at Holy Cross.

I told Father Ard that this one was the best one yet, and he said they are all very good. Same with the Community Chorus; I told Art Brown that this one was their best yet, and he said “You said that last time.”

I replied to Father Ard’s comment that “Concerts are like steak—the one you are hearing or eating now is the best yet!”

First off, Dr. Susan Lyle proved once again that she is a most sensitive and able accompanist. Of course, she was initially supporting one of her many pupils, soprano Suzanne Brown. I think Bach would be pleased by Suzanne’s singing; I certainly was.

Kelly Vaneman brought two oboes to demonstrate her obvious mastery of the “ill wind that no one blows good.” I could not tell them apart, but I was listening more to how she played the music. As I told her, the instruments most capable of musical nuances, i.e. the double reeds and the violin family, demand an artist capable of producing these nuances. I assured Kelly that I thought she “blowed it good.”

Then young fiddler Zoe Kushubar proved my point, as she played a whole selection from a Bach Partita in double stops. Her intonation was always right on (to my ears, at least) and her musicianship brought some “Bravos!” from an appreciative audience.

I have heard the Thais Meditation all of my adult life, but never more beautifully realized. This from a double major in violin performance and chemistry!

I studied piano and violin, so I am acquainted with some of the problems they present. This background especially enables me to appreciate the music I hear: I go to enjoy, so I do.

Garland Goodwin, Columbus