As much as we try very hard to adhere to our schedule of four Newsletters and a Christmas card annually, our fate is beyond our control. This is the final (i.e., the fourth) Newsletter of 1996 or rather Volume 6. You may have noticed that we stopped putting dates on them a while ago because they were meaningless. In 1996 we were on schedule but our printer, who generally does an excellent job (partly because he takes a personal interest in Furtwängler), was suddenly forced to change locations which caused Volume 6, #3 to be extremely delayed. So here we are... better late than never. By the way, renewal notices will be sent out shortly after you've received this Volume 6, #4.

On a more stimulating note, I had the pleasure of finally seeing the play, Taking Sides, in New York twice last December. It was a riveting piece of theatre which was generally very well acted, particularly by the principal leads, Ed Harris and Daniel Massey. I went back the second time because I very much wanted my fiancé, Libby Sullivan, to share this wonderful experience. The final performance was a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, December 29th. Ed Harris, who plays Major Steve ["I'm out to nail the band leader."] Arnold, was fighting a nagging chest cough but got through it all in valiant fashion. The piece opens in freezing cold Berlin so his ailment was at least appropriate for the play's first half. As it was the final performance, the entire cast of six acted their hearts out which made the experience far more exciting and moving than the previous weekday matinee I'd seen on December 4th.

After the "show", my fiancé and I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting some of the actors backstage! I proudly presented my W.F.S.A. business card and was very enthusiastically received. Norbert Weisser, who played the part of second violinist Helmuth Rode, recognized my name because he had called prior to the first performance in October to request some Newsletters and information about Furtwängler. He admitted that he did not let on who he was; preferring to remain incognito since he was uncertain regarding the Society's feelings about the play. As we waited outside Mr. Massey's dressing room, we were preceded by an old friend of his... one F. Murray Abraham! Daniel Massey (Yes, he is the son of former Hollywood actor Raymond Massey.) could not possibly have been more receptive and excited to meet us. He asked about Frau Furtwängler, signed programs, gave us a playbill poster and his London address because he would like to give the W.F.S.A. an exclusive, in-depth interview for an upcoming Newsletter. His eyes really lit up when I presented him with one of my wine business cards. It seems that most Englishmen love fine wine. We hope to meet for lunch or dinner in April, his schedule permitting. Mr. Harris, despite his cough, was also most gracious as was his wife, Amy Madigan who was waiting in his dressing room. All in all it was a very exciting and uplifting experience.

Taking Sides doesn't pretend to answer any questions but it definitely provokes a few. I hope it is revived somewhere else very soon. It's a pity that it was not filmed because it's the sort of gripping spectacle that every member should have the chance to see. Let's hope that happens in the near future and with Daniel Massey as Furtwängler!

Dade Thieriot
President, WFSA