Peter and I recently attended a memorial service for a much-loved bassoonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Some of his fellow musicians from the orchestra played at the service that was held in a small church.  The principal cellist, Jules Eskin, was one of them. 

More than fifty years ago, Jules played a Mendelsohn concerto for piano and cello (with his soon-to-be-wife on the piano) just for me and my then-boyfriend Mark in a small practice room at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.  It was among the most memorable music experiences of my life.

When I saw Jules at the memorial service, I told Peter that I would never have recognized him without the program.  It’s not surprising that he looks different fifty years later.