Well, I had a nice way to celebrate New Year's
Day.When I was out last night, I ran into a young acquaintance who's a church organist, though not
my church's organist. Michael told me he was going to be playing the famous Wanamaker Organ in our Macy's (which was originally John Wanamaker's flagship department store) at noon and 5:30 p.m. today. So I made myself up to the store by noon. I stood by the great bronze eagle in the center court of the store, where I could look up and see Michael at the six-manual console of the organ.
It was funny. Before he started to play, he looked down right at me, so I waved, and all I got in return was a blank, uncomprehending stare.
Then later, when he was between pieces, he happened to look down again. He saw me, so I waved again, and this time in return I got the head-jerk of recognition.
In fairness, he's accustomed to seeing me in a cowboy hat, and I wasn't wearing my cowboy hat this afternoon.
Anyway, the pieces Michael played included Bach's
Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland and the chorale tune
Schmuecke Dich. It was nice to hear such good Lutheran music played on that enormous pipe organ.
