Music Short Story

During law school, I noticed how much I enjoyed classical music. This surprised me.

Several years after graduation, I happened to run into Leonard Slatkin. Maestro Slatkin was wearing a clown suit, and so was I. We were both being inducted into a St.Louis social organization along with a number of others. Our encounter led me to take an even greater interest in the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra. I discovered that Maestro Slatkin made classical music and the Symphony fun.

As I reflect further, I have come to realize that the real roots of my love for classical music lie with GaGa, my grandmother. She came to St.Louis from Pittsburgh during the early part of the 20th century to marry my grandfather. She adored classical music and was kind and thoughtful enough to take me to the Children’s concerts of the SLSO at the old Kiel Opera House on Friday mornings. I remember the thrill of being with her in front of this imposing array of symphony players, having no idea what to expect. As a young boy, it never occurred to me that one day, like a ray of sunlight, my love of music would blossom.