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To play like an Angel you have to work like a devil - (Carlos Salzedo, 1885-1961. American harpist and composer of French birth )
French composer Claude Debussy said half joking that harpists spend half their life tuning (and the other half playing out of tune).
How long does a harp stay in tune? Until someone opens a door (and the draft changes the pitch).
Way back in July 2009, I said Alicja epitomizes Andre's observation that his musicians play with all their heart & sole during each & every concert.
Every distant & out of focus photo I took of Alicja aka Ala showed the smile of a person that was enjoying what she was doing, whether it was playing her harp, clog dancing, or shaking gords
On 29 May 2010, Ronel in South Africa again confirmed what a talented & lovely person Ala is, recognized Ala's birthday with a banner, & then took the very best photo of Ala that you'll find on the internet when Andre had Ala come to the front of the stage to acknowledge Ronel's banner.
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ooooops, the 2nd photo that was here (which I've removed) isn't Ala . It is someone that has the same name & looks a lot like Ala .
When Rene Henket saw the photo I'm sure he asked, Ala , "this is my mama?"... & was told NO!
Shortly thereafter, I discovered Ala's website. By the time you've finished looking at it, you will know as much about Ala as you know about Andre. Her website will answer such questions as:
- What circumstances led her to stop playing the Piano & begin to learn the Harp
- How Ala , after an exhaustive search, finally found the perfect Harp.
- What is her entire musical background
- What kind of music does Ala play. You will discover Ala has performed in concerts all over the world, solo, duets, trios, has performed at weddings, funerals, prisons, sporting events & in such places as 1000 kilometers from the arctic circle
- Ala's website will impart to you her humor & much more of her personality.
Andre is very lucky to have Ala as the angel in his orchestra.
Next time you listen to Melissa Venema playing Il Silenzo on the Maastricht 11 dvd, listen for Ala's beautiful harp accompaniment.
Ala recorded a CD way back in 1993; it a Harp & Flute duet.
Here is a fairly recent photo of Ala , who has given me approval to copy & publish it in this report.
After seeing the above photo, Resie Vahsen used what I thought was strictly an american expression by saying, "Va Va VaVoom", which says it all.
Suzan Erens said "Looooooookin Gooood!!!!!"
Go here to see all of Ala's photo's, in high resolution
I'm eagerly anticipating Andre, the JSO & Ala's return to Phoenix, Arizona on 29 November 2010; trust me, I'll be looking to get some good, sharp, close up photos of my favorite harpist,
Alicja (Ala) Zajaczkowska
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Thank you so much Bill, for writng about Alicja.I didn't know how beautiful she is. She sits toward the back most of the time & the first time we really noticed her was when they played Marina.We laughed so hard as she really got into it. I will have to go read all about her when I have time & that won't be long. I am sooo happy to see her here.
Thanks Bill, I think it is great how you give us the extra information of Andre's Orchestra members. I agree with Shirley. That is a lovely photo of Alicja. Hope I spelled it correctly. Keep up the good work you do.
Thanks Bill, this is a great page! She is someone I knew absolutely nothing about including her name. She is lovely. Thanks to you we know something about Alicja. Big hugs to you.
Y'all have no idea how much fun I had during my discovery journey on the internet.
Ala's website told us EVERYTHING,
I can tell you Ala is at the top of my list to get some good, clear, sharp focused photos on 29 Nov 2010, when Andre & the JSO returns to Phoenix, AZ
Bill in Arizona
Thank you so very much Bill for all the information you provide. Knowing you, you really throw yourself into research, and have always provided us with TOP NOTCH, QUALITY, FACTUAL,ARTFUL
look into the JSO, which *we ourselves would not have the patience to seek and search so thoroughly. (*I said 'we', but actually meant 'me', forgive the wording) I all ways look forward when Bill puts out his information like this, I can keep on going back and read and re-read. EXCELLENT MR. BILL!!!