Andrea von Ramm: Obituaries
Ubi tunc vox inauditae melodiae?
Excerpts from e-mail responses to the death of Andrea von Ramm
Benjamin Bagby, Ensemble Sequentia Cologne
I just received from Candy Smith your message about Andrea's death. Yes, I am very sad and have that feeling of abandonment...all the "great ones" are leaving us behind. But I also agree with you that this was the way she would have liked to go: fast and painless. After witnessing Barbara's 18-month battle, I can only say that Andrea was lucky. How I wish I could have been there for that last Thanksgiving dinner, just to give thanks for the innumerable gifts of spirit, music, and laughter she has given me in the past 25 years. My god, how hard it will be to imagine a life without her cooking up a storm in the Karlstrasse.
Sterling, I know you are probably very busy and tired with all sorts of duties (I know them well), but I would appreciate if you could let me know if there will be a Trauerfeier for Andrea, and if so, where and when. I will make every effort to be there, also on Barbara's behalf.
I forwarded your letter to several people in the US, so the news has travelled even faster. Of course, some are responding with condolences, which I would like to pass along to you as well. See you Monday, God willing.
Ben
Tess Knighton, Early Music Quarterly
I am very grateful to you for bringing to my attention the sad news about Andrea von Ramm. Her contribution to the early music revival was enormous,and I shall attempt to pay homage to that contribution in the next issue of EM.
With best wishes, Tess Knighton
David Hahn, composer living in Zagreb
It was a great shock to hear the news of Andrea's death. She was a great friend and colleague--such an inspiration in so many ways. A painful and sad event.I feel lucky to have been living in Europe this past year and to have had the chance to see her and work with her again. Her spirit, her ideas, her excellence are a challenge to be lived up to. I have not fully come to terms with this loss.
Laurie Monahan, singer, U.S.A.
Candy forwarded your letter to me about Andrea. I burst into tears with the shock and sadness. As you said though, she would have wanted something quick like that and not to have to linger. I hope she didn't suffer. And her poor little dog...do you now have a dog?
When I visited last spring, she talked a lot about death and mockingly told me she didn't have health insurance and didn't want it...only dental insurance. Of course, Barbara and John Fleagles' deaths were in the forefront of our minds. What a sad year this has been with the loss of somany friends.
I'm so sorry for your loss of such a long time colleague and friend. She was a unique soul...to say the least! There was never a dull moment with Andrea around to poke a stick at something. I'll miss her stream of consciousness letters and opinions up the ying yang. Oh God, how has so much time passed us by?
Jan Binkley, U.S.A. (first wife of Tom Binkley)
Hi! Thanks for your note about Andrea's stroke. I was so sorry to hear of it -- yes, it would have been nice to have her energy around for another ten years. Of course we all hope to go in much the same way, without hesitation. When you mentioned she had just had a bash for a bunch of people on Nov 29, I remembered the time she had us to dinner and made Baumkuchen while we watched. She sure was fun, and a heck of a fine singer as well as friend. I know you'll miss her.
Alice Brin Renken Secretary, Viola da Gamba Society of America
Thallis Drake passed your message about Andrea von Ramm on to the VdGSA Board. We will all feel the loss of her voice and musicianship in this world, and our deepest sympathy is with you who worked most closely with her. Please extend our condolences to her family. Personally, I remember all of you most clearly from your performance at the AMS meeting in St. Louis in the 1970s. Tom helped me order a copy of your Tielke bass from Reginato, which I cannot play without thinking of all of you, and remembering how much that one event helped me get started into the profession that I enjoy so much. I have other viols, including a Warnock copy of John Hsu's Ruggieri seven-string, but my Reginato is so dependable, adaptable, and comfortable to play that I use it often. I can't help hinking that Andrea and Tom are probably already deep in rehearsal, with the composers...
Gertrud and Thomas Dunskus, friends living France
The news of Andrea not being with us any more is indeed very sad. For many of us it is the loss of a great personality and interpreter, inspiring, as you say, for our lives and a wonderful hostess for those who had the pleasure to be invited to her home. For you, dear Sterling, it must be a very hard blow, having known her so long and having shared so many experiences in life with her.
For herself, it is quite possible to imagine that to leave the world at her age and health after a well prepared meal at her house shared with dear guests, would have been a way she could accept, as much as one can accept going. We are relieved upon hearing the sad news that Andrea did not need to suffer after her stroke. This should always give comfort to you in this
great loss.
Please let us know how we can show our sympathy to Andrea. Could we send flowers via our son Adrian, or is something else more suitable?
Paul Elliot.(singer) Early Music Institute, Indiana University, U.S.A.
It was with great sadness that I learned of the the death of Andrea yesterday. Although I cannot claim to have known her well I have fond memories of such trivia as tea in Basle and strange conversations on various subjects, both musical and otherwise held in odd corners of theworld over the last twenty years or so.
For me her singing was a constant challenge and reminder that there are unique and wonderful ways to approach music and that we should confront and value them rather than hide behind accepted aesthetic norms. Early Music and the world has lost a singular character.
Please accept my condolences and hopes that you may enjoy a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Thallis Drake. friend and early music performer, Milwaukee WI, U.S.A.
Your news will sadden a lot of people. Andrea was surely a most unique individual -- as anyone who knew or worked with her will attest! I realize, perhaps more than some, how deeply you will miss her...
It was heartening, however, to know that Thanksgiving is celebrated as far away as Germany! And what a lovely last memory for those she shared it with, a very precious time, I'm sure.
Ross W. Duffin, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.
Your message about Andrea arrived just as I was leaving my office yesterday and I realized afterwards that in my haste to pass along the news, I probably sent a copy back to you on my author list for the Medieval Guide.
Sorry about that. I really appreciate you sending out the news so quickly.
Those of us that were lucky enough to have known Andrea and worked with her know very well what a special person she was. During the few months she spent in Cleveland in 1988 she made an indelible impact on the community, not to mention on our family. Our daughter Selena, who was just two years old at that time, came to refer to her as "my own Andrea!", a phrase which Andrea loved to say back to her. In my own mind she will always be the "grand dame" of the early music revival. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. As you said, it sounds like she went out as she would have wished, full of vitality to the end.
Michael Collver, singer, U.S.A.
I got your E-mail address from Anne Azema who gave me the bad news about Andrea. From a great distance I feel the loss nevertheless. I will write you a letter soon along with some swansongs I have made (singing).
Meanwhile...Take care.
Alejandro Enrique Planchart, Professor of Music, University of California,
Santa Barbara, CA U.S.A.
This is a very sad bit of news for all of us. You know better than most of us what kind of inspiration and energy Andrea radiated. As I think of her I also think of you and send you my own warmest feelings on your loss.
Joel Cohen, musician in early music, U.S.A.
My mind is still reeling. She was so alive and herself when we worked with her last summer. I agree with Anne, it's the death she would have chosen.
Raglind Binkley, (wife of Tom Binkley) Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.
Talk about shock ! I wasn't ready for this one. This entire year has been like this. As you said, this was probably the most merciful way for her to go. I passed on the message to the EM Institute here who will spread the news through the web - as you might already have done.(also sent to Janet and Christina and Tom's brother). Can you fill me in on some follow-up details - like services, arrangements, address of closest family, etc. I might call you tomorrow if it is still a 'decent' hour in Munich, otherwise e-mail is fine if you get a chance.
Anne Azema, singer with Joel Cohen ensemble, U.S.A.
Oh Sterling, I am so sorry to hear that Andrea is gone -- hardly seems possible. And yet, as you mention, this is probably the best way to go for her. How are you doing? We are thinking of you with affection. Please stay in touch with us. I loved her so, she was such a wonderful friend and support to me, such a great companion to have conversations with, and make music. We will all miss her, as you will I am sure. Have any arrangementsbeen made, and which are they?
Chris Binkley, daughter of Jan and Tom Binkley, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Sterling -- Raglind e-mailed me the news of Andrea's death. I'm so sorry for you -- it must feel like a hole has been left in your life. And I'm sorry for myself as well, because I always wanted to meet her. And I always meant to thank her for sending me those books from Dad -- and never got around to it. There's a lesson for me. (So I must thank you once again for being the conduit, as I value those books.) Andrea fascinated me because she sounded like a vital force, with gumption and courage and fun in her -- driving through the war to the Yugoslavian fishing village house, for instance.
Paul Hillier, Director, Early Music Institute, Indiana University School of Music, U.S.A.
Your note about Andrea was just passed to me - very sad news indeed, though you are right that for someone like her (perhaps for anybody) that is the best way to go. I didn't know her very well, and hadn't seen her for years, but I have always admired her. She really will be missed. Thank you for sending out the message.
Candace Smith, singer and former student of Andrea, Bologna, Italy
I am so terribly sorry to hear about Andrea's death. I just recently received a letter from her and she was her old self, going strong insulting people and showing no signs of slowing down. It's hard to imagine her gone. Her influence on me was fundamental in many of the directions my life has taken, and I still continue to learn from her (in fact, it's probably taken me 20 years to fully understand some of the things she used to say when you both taught us all in Basel, long, long ago...)
As you said, being disabled would have been impossible for her so it's best that she died as she did, but it's a hard loss. For you certainly more than for anyone. The two of you have been friends for so long. I still remember her saying to you "When you're my age, you'll see!" Both Bruce and I send our love and best wishes to you in this very hard time and I hope you will be surrounded by friends to see you through this.
I took the liberty to pass on your letter to people I knew would want to be informed of Andrea's death, and the news has quickly spread among the early music world. Everyone I've heard from has been terribly saddened. And people who knew her (Bruce, Laurie, Ben...) have all expressed their feelings--which I share--that we were all very lucky to have known her. She has left us all with gifts which will last our lifetimes and she will be sorely missed.
Poppy Holden, friend
I just missed meeting you and Andrea in Prague a few weeks ago. I owed her a letter, I have on my desk one of her wide ranging epistles which I was about to answer when your terrible e-mail arrived this morning.
I can't believe she's gone. I spent ten days with her in Valtice last July and I feel my life was changed for the better by knowing her - her courage and wit seemed to rub off on those around her so we all had a wonderful time and felt ourselves to be suddenly more creative. She was writing to me about her new projects with termites and viruses and God and her mother's postcard collection and the internet, such a hive (!) of activity - what a way to go, leaving us all aghast, - she would be delighted, I'm sure.
My sincere condolences to you in your grief. She talked a lot about you and you were obviously very dear to her; it must be dreadful to have lost such a delightful friend.
All the best
Harlan Hokin, singer, friend and former student of Andrea, U.S.A.
I'm so sorry to hear about AvR's untimely death. Thanks for informing us. I heard the news from both Candy Smith and Holly Alonso.
As you say, impared survival would surely have been the worst for Andrea. I can imagine that she would have chosen to go more or less the way she did - quickly. I'm glad you were there with her at the end, and for the many years preceding.
Patricia Neely, friend
Thanks for the message Ben. I met Andrea many years ago through Paul Echols at a workshop. Later I met Tom Binkley at the same workshop. Even then I considered both rather historical figures in the world of Early Music and very much responsible for encouraging us all in this field.
Peter A. Klein. friend, U.S.A.
I will miss Andrea greatly. Just last week, I was home with my folks for thanksgiving and found my Studio albums and listened to the Machaut and other recordings.
She really propelled us into the sense and logic of that time, making each utterance inevitable. She was a grand soul.
Frances Fitch, friend, musician, U.S.A.
Thank you for passing the news of Andrea's death on to me. I had not heard yet. It does sound as if she went in a good way, for her at any rate, if not for us. My immediate thought was that I was glad Laurie had gone to Munich to see her in May, and sorry that I didn't go too.
I remember spending a week in Holland with Andrea at a workshop she did at the Edward von Beinum Foundation in Breukelen. The topic was Monody and Monophony and I took the opportunity to immerse myself in the laments of Sigismondo d'India while Andrea railed and exhorted a troupe of timid singers to be less boring and take very many more risks. What a force of nature. I just wish I had had more time with her, but I thoroughly enjoyed what I did have.
There is a great photograph of Andrea and Alice Robbins in the back of a big van Greg and I used to own. We were all doing something at Castle Hill in Ipswich, and everyone came back to our house in Essex for a big lobster feed, including Andrea, who had never dismembered a lobster before, nor played with a bowl full of cornstarch, nor played the oven rack as a musical instrument. I think you were the person I learned about cornstarch from, Ben. Are you sure you hadn't used it as a party trick in Andrea's presence?
Beverly Simmons, Executive Director, Early Music America, U.S.A.
Thank you so much for sending us all the sad news about Andrea's passing this week. It is a terrible shock to know that she is no longer with us in person, although she will always be a presence in our lives! When she was in Cleveland in 1988, for a guest professorship at Case Western Reserve, my then 2-year-old daughter called her "my own Andrea," and, of course, we have always thought of her in those terms ever since. We hope to print a remembrance of her in the next issue of Early Music America magazine, and will be gathering a few remarks from those who knew her. I'll be back in touch with you when I have more information about
that.
I've talked with or corresponded with dozens of people in the past few days and everybody says how s/he had been thinking or talking about Andrea in the days just before she died--Alice Robbins, Sally Sanford, Sarah Mead, Paul Hillier, Marilyn Boenau, so many people.
For those of us who would like to pay tribute to her in some way, can you suggest a charity that might be an appropriate place for donations in her memory? Or would it be appropriate to start a memorial fund for her, housed at Early Music America (as we have done for Barbara Thornton, and a few others)?
If you have any thoughts on this matter, I would be happy to explore them with you. Many of us who knew and loved her feel so far away and helpless and would like to do something...
Randall Cook, teacher, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Basel, CH
Thank you for your messages. How absolutely devastating. I can only think that Andrea was true to her form up to the end. If there is anyone that could not stand less than 200 percent functionablilty...it was Andrea.
For her..I'm glad that it could be so quick. Too soon...that is for sure. And I feel for you, Sterling. It will be such a loss for you, I imagine. Such a source of inspiration she has been for so many people.
I am going to try to send you the notice that we put in the Basler paper, which was out today.
I, unfortunately..go away today, and will only return after the service for Andrea. I will be thinking of you.
My thoughts are with you,
Barbara Begelsbacher, friend, Basel, CH
I'm so very sorry not to be able to attend Andrea's funeral service but my thoughts will certainly be with her. What a blow Andrea's sudden disparition is to everyone who hears about it. I still can't quite believe it happened. Some rare friends remain very close no matter if one had recently been in constant contact or not, and for me Andrea certainly is such a person. I'm very sorry for you, Sterling, as I sense that somehow what you could mentally hang on to is now gone. For Heavenssake. I wish you courage and strength to readapt. Tom Binkley is gone, Andrea is gone. Richard Levitt joined you much later, so that's different. So you are the last of the Mohicans as far as the fabulous Studio der Frühen Musik is concerned, I'm so very sorry. In any case I shall cherish old memories of the Studios years in Basel, and especially of those years of close friendship with Andrea. So there we are. I hope to stay in contact with you and thank you for keeping me posted on further developments. With heartfelt regrets and greetings, Barbara
... it's our medieval world
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