Dispatches from the field

I'm in the middle of a lovely trip to Prague, Amsterdam and Germany. Prague and Amsterdam were both fantastic and rather different cities. Prague has a sort of epic, old-world grandeur with a lingering hint of Soviet drabness. It feels like a city that unfolds on a large scale with amazing art-deco, Baroque facades, medieval cloisters and towering church spires set among beautiful hills and a rolling river . And it has cheap beer! Amsterdam is a more tightly controlled city in appearance with beautiful 17th century row-houses overlooking canals. It feels like a city of neighborhoods, both full of partying young people and quiet residential areas. I spent a lot of time just walking around the streets in search of my next meal of pancakes or old pub. It has an incredibly vibrant feel to it with people from all over making up its population. I also managed to catch a concert at the Concertgebouw (it really did have the best acoustics I've ever come across) by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. They did an early Haydn symphony, two Vivaldi violin concertos and the very beautiful Pergolesi 'Stabat Mater'. Both of the vocal soloists were exceptional, and the lack of conductor gave them the freedom to dictate how the piece unfolded. There was great communication from all of the musicians reminsicent of a string quartet or small vocal ensemble. Well worth it...

Off to Germany this afternoon for a brief choir residency at Muenster. More later...