This man not born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Peter was transplanted in Stockton and became transfixed by the gentle wave of the Delta and the thrush of winds that bend the old trees. Jaffee harmonized with the talent and the eager ears that wait to hear such symphonics from heaven! Taking extra time to adorn myself with a style appropriate for a concert of violins, the Sunday evening performance opened like a flower. The sounds triggered visions of what it would be like bouncing from cloud to cloud in heaven. Maestro Peter Jaffee 
waved his hands in tiny gestures, then swept wide, with luxurious sways, and light pokes directed at certain musicians with a smile. A magical team streamed melodic sounds and rhythms caused my soul to tingle. The violins played, the horns trumpeted, drummers dangled, clip clops clopped perfectly, flutes flew in, as the oboe obeyed its call. Watching Peter Jaffe conduct with such vigor, humor and passionate interaction made the experience more memorable! 
The music ebbed and flowed— delicately and ephemerally for moments that were interrupted with robust participation from the percussion and the brass. A collection of about 100 musicians made harmony with strings, violins (smallest, and highest in pitch), violas, cellos, and doublebasses, Woodwinds—flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, and related instruments. Brass—trumpets, horns, trombones, tubas, Percussion—the drums, bells, and other fascinating paraphernalia that are struck, plucked, rubbed, to include the kettledrums, the harp, and for tonight a special guest at the grand piano. 
Just like basketball players who take shots and practice moves before the game, the musicians warmed up their muscles and focus their concentration. The music spoke, it awoke a time to purely enjoy! Preparing for the performance by reading the program notes and listening to other interpretations of Piano Concerto No. 5. Alon Goldstein was the featured guest artist on a sultry Sunday eve inside Atherton Hall at Delta College. A graduate of the RUBIN ACADEMY OF MUSIC in Tel-AVIV, Alon performed in Germany, London, Italy, Israel and thrilled me with his artistry. He premiered a piano concerto written for him by rising star Avner Dorman with the Kentucky City Symphony, conducted by Michael Stern. He has played with the Phillips Collection in Washington DC and he can be heard on WQXR in New York and BBC radio 3 in the UK.■Ibert: Escales … luxuriant “travelogue in tones” evokes lush, exotic, and stirring reminiscences of lands visited by the Baltic sea
■Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”… A world-soloist interprets Beethoven’s treasured pinnacle of piano concertos. A profound eloquence captivates listeners.
■Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte … beautiful tribute to a Spanish princess through the lens of an elegant Frenchman
■Gershwin: An American in Paris … Gershwin and Ravel each visited the other in his homeland. Gershwin’s Parisian visit resulted in a dazzling score included romantic café interludes, and signature jazzy tunes.
AFTER such a soul swelling performance, the path to my secret parking place was in tune with my hummming spirit! The neighborhood back roads swirled to land at a quiet bistro DeVega Brothers. Romance oozed through my ear canals as the drip of melodies so sweet added to the culinary artistry that swarmed my taste buds, I was completely satisfied. "Love believes in all things, hopes in all things" 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Lord, guide me, lead me and keep me
patient as I wait for the BEST You have selected for me. Help me to love all people despite our differences. I know that You love the weak, the broken, the ragamuffins - and that through them, You do impossble things. Oh Lord help me to love radically, not superficially. Open my heart that I may SEE with Your divine eyes ~ the light in all those I encounter. Just as each unique musical instrument was necessary to create the symphony, Lord Jesus, You are the Conductor, and I feel Your nudge, Your gentle encouragement. You have empowered me greatly with Your Holy Spirit and I shall do my best to create more harmony in this world! Your Name is above all names. AMEN
It's always a thrill and a treat to immerse yourself in the sounds of a symphony orchestra as they make wonderful music and come together as one unit. And, it can be so romantic or thunderous with all the emotions in-between. As the writer states, you can be transported to almost any area of the world and lose yourself. Hard to beat.
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