To the Editor:

After two seasons of “pandemic pause,” Artistic Director Tamara Poddubnaya was able to bring ‘Music without Borders’ International Piano Festival back to Bethel for a 14th season on the Gould Academy campus. Participants are most grateful for the welcome they received from Bethel residents and the many “summer people.”

They presented twelve public recitals on campus, performed late Saturday afternoon musicales in the Bethel Inn’s Gibson Room, and played during Sunday services at the West Parish Congregational Church. Carlie Casey and Mary Haberman welcomed them into their homes for dinner and good conversation, and in Mary’s case, for a home recital. The pianists were grateful for the support of Gould’s summer staff and for the generous contributions of many listeners in support of the considerable costs of piano preparation and maintenance.

Two of this season’s participants were students of two Festival veterans — another example of “coming full circle,” as had first happened in July 2019. Indeed, the dedication of these newcomers, as well as that of the veterans, along with Tamara Poddubnaya’s insistent and dynamic teaching, made this 14th season a success.

On behalf of Professor Poddubnaya, the Festival students, and their families, I thank all in the community who made this reprise of Music without Borders a success.

Donald Christie, Jr.,
Gray