Rose-Adams Hungary 2025

 On Tuesday evening, CSI had a PARTY! It started with a wonderful goulash and lots of conversation and fun. Then music and dancing!  

 Erika Dallos and Gergely Kaposi lead the opera instruction and present the students in opera scenes. They have been involved with CSI since long before we began attending (2010).  

 On Tuesday, Tune-IN began with silence, followed by Réka Falaky, violist, performing the Sarabande from the third cello suite of Bach. Absolutely exquisite!     The speaker was Malin Hartelius, who spoke movingly about "Making Space Within". It is within this innermost space that God longs to meet us, to care for us, and to speak peace to us. So, is there baggage to clear out of that space? Are there obstacles? Can I experience God's authentic calling there? It was a wonderful talk from someone who has experienced the highs and lows of a great musical and personal journey.  Tune-IN closed with "A Resting Place", sung by Ms. Hartelius with violin, viola and piano.  

 We had to bid farewell to Rachel Olney, who had to return to her home in Vienna early. We have known Rachel since 2011 CSI, and she has served on staff with Crescendo International for many years. We send our best wishes with her.  

 Our dear friends, Beat (Bay-ot) and Airi (Eye-ree) Rink. Beat is the director of Crescendo International.  

 Monday morning's Tune-IN began with Reflections on "When Morning Fills the Sky", written by Greg Pascuzzi and performed by Julian Poore, trumpet, with Greg at the piano. Very moving, very touching.  Warmest thanks to these two dear friends.  The speaker was Jan Katzschke, "Listening Changed Everything". Some of his address was devoted to a personal testimony of hearing God speak through his circumstances. He also made the vital point that God is there even when we are not in the mood. He cited Bonhoeffer, who distinguished between religion, in which mood plays a significant role, and God, for whom mood plays no role at all. Bonhoeffer also suggested that communion with God must be practiced. All in all, a deep and challenging address.  

 … of the Crescendo Summer Institute.

On Sunday evening, we participated in a VERY special even that Ellen and I always look forward to, Creative Church. There was some amazing worship, our dear bishop Rob Gillion spoke, and we had communion, followed by a Prayer Walk. As always, an amazing experience, about which there is a great deal more to be said.  

 ... Malin Hartelius just before the faculty concert!  

 

 On Saturday evening was the faculty concert. Taking pictures was problematic, since we did not have seats conducive to my camera. But here is the program and a couple of snaps anyway. Above are flutist Dominyka Seibok and Rita Termes, piano, doing a piece of flute and piano performance art.   From left, Dag Anders Eriksen, Daniel Dalescu, and Malin Hartelius performing Strauss, "Morgen".

 Those who attend the Institute are each assigned to a Small Group. Groups meet seven evenings during the Institute to discuss topics raised by the speakers. Ellen and I have had the privilege of leading a Small Group most summers. There is always good discussion and sometimes very remarkable sharing. Here is our Small Group this year. From the left, Rachel, Elena, Smaragda, Irena, and Ellen.

 Friday's Tune-IN featured Beat Rink, International Director of Crescendo, speaking on "Listening for what Resonates", in which he explored aspects of communication that overcome obstacles and that bind the speaker and listener together.  Before the talk, we heard Ali-reza on bassoon, a student of Terry Ewell, and Natalija Abduliina, piano, perform a lovely work by Alexander Tansman.  After the talk, we heard a chant ascribed to Hildegard of Bingen performed by some of the young women of CSI. See the text displayed in Latin and then in English.      

 

 ...is carried out the old way!  

 

  Enough said.

 On Friday evening, Tamas Tarjanyi interview several musicians in a light-hearted discussion.   From the left, Simone Menezes, Delta David Gier, Jan Katzschke, and Tamas Tarjanyi.  In the middle, Malin Hartelius and Jenna McBride-Harris.

 Friday's Tune-IN featured conductor Simone Menezes, speaking about identity and the falsehoods that may imprison one. In telling the story of her career, she focused on two Scriptures, "... I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Ps. 139:14, and "For we are His workmanship..." from Eph. 2:10. A very deep message indeed.  Before Simone Menezes' talk, we were treated to the middle movement of Mozart's Flute Concerto in G, presented by Weijou Sung, flute, and Rita Termes, piano. Positively divine!  Concluding the program, Jan Katzschke presented members of the student body in sections 1 & 6 of a Bach cantata, BWV99. Everyone felt lifted up by this glorious music. Thank you, Jan and musicians.  

 … for Ellen Rose, a latte and piece of berry pie is heavenly!

The meals are served in the main dormitory, and we eat on picnic tables in the courtyard. It is quite pleasant, and we have the opportunity to meet students and fellow faculty. Here are Murphy and Katherine, both from Rochester, New York, voice students of Constance Fee.  

 Thursday morning's Tune-IN was let by Krisztina Tarjanyi and Panna Gyorfi, introducing the theme of this year's Institute, "Listening". A by-product of the listening motif is that every person is valued.  

 The Tokaj region is wine country, with numerous vineyards, wineries, and places to taste the local wines. The Tokaj wines (so far as I am aware) are typically sweet.

 We had the privilege of hearing a work by Franz Liszt, "Sursum Corda" (which means, "Lift up your hearts"), performed by András Kemenes. It is from Liszt's late period--brief but profound. Thank you, Maestro.   Following, we heard a contemporary work performed by David Danel and Bethany Brooks (ably assisted by their daughter, Aya, at the pedals).  

 Tamas Tarjanyi, artistic director of CSI, addressed the gathering (great attendance) to start, followed by, of all things, some MUSIC.  

 Entrance to the Gymnasium that hosts CSI  We arrived mid-afternoon on July 23, got checked in, rested, and had supper at the cafeteria. We saw lots of old friends and new!   From left, Ellen Rose, Mary Jeane Kraft, Ashley Latvala,  Jeff Leigh, and Delta David Gier       From left, Hennadii Beziazychnyi and his family,  and Brad and Lena Cawyer

 The breakfast spread at K+K. We will miss this.