A friend in Leiden, an ancient city often considered a rival of Utrecht, sent me the link to an article that gave insight to life in selected cities in the top five “happiest” countries. Netherlands was number four, after Denmark, Norway and Switzerland.
In reading about Utrecht, I was reminded of the reaction of a guitarist friend who came back to visit some thirty years later. As we cycled on the cobbled-stoned streets of this fairy tale-like city, he told vivid stories of his previous visit with much fondness and nostalgia. Upon arriving at Utrecht Conservatory, we parked and turned to the towering Dome straight ahead. His eyes widened, jaws dropped, and mouth opened to a stendhalismo.
I have seen that expression of wow many times before. Every guest who came to stay with us and every friend who came to visit had that same expression: “Wow! This is like being in a movie! It seems so unreal. You’re so lucky to live here.”
Indeed, when I tell my students in “Introduction to Music Literature” about fortepianos that were built in Utrecht or musicians who performed in Utrecht (Mozart, the Schumanns, Brahms, to name a few), I find it hard to believe that I had once lived there as a musician.
1909 New York Steinway Grand Piano for Sale
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