Politics and Gunmen: A day with Condoleeza Rice and Doc Holliday
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An Evening of Words and Music: Condoleeza Rice turned out to be a very nice affair. It was a joint venture between the Aspen Music Festival and School and The Aspen Institute. Dr. Rice and her interviewer, Walter Isaacson, were introduced by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.
Dr. Albright pointed out a very interesting item: Her father, Josef Korbel, was not only one of the professors under whom Dr. Rice studied while at the University of Denver, he was also her mentor on her doctoral thesis. Despite differences in political ideologies, Dr. Albright referred to Dr. Rice as “my sister.” Anecdotally, Dr. Albright recounted how she had called upon Dr. Rice to be a potential advisor to then-Democratic presidential nominee, Michael Dukakis. Dr Rice then informed her,”…but I’m a Republican now.” A shocked Dr. Albright retorted with: “How could you be..?! We had the same father!” It was a kind, warm – and surprisingly witty – introduction.
Dr. Rice and Mr. Isaacson took the stage and proceeded to talk for the next 30 – 40 minutes. I had worried that the discussion might turn into a pulpit from which Dr. Rice might try to quietly (or even not-so-quietly) talk up the current administration’s policies. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could not have been more off-base. Yes, the discussion focused mostly on political matters, but I found Dr. Rice to be fairly candid and willing to discuss the topics and issues – not the party politics. This was also true when the discussion turned from interviewer/interviewee to an open mike Q&A session. The first question she fielded was from a gentleman from Bangladesh who attempted to call her on the carpet about the U.S.’ energy policies, with regard to the Kyoto Protocols. Dr. Rice gently corrected a couple of misunderstood points and then elaborated on the United States’ position… and also why India and China, which the man had cited as being on board with the terms of the protocols, were not being held to the same standards. On another occasion, a topic was brought up by Mr. Isaacson; Dr. Rice started to answer the question… and then paused to elaborate on exactly what it was to which they were referring. When the Q&A was over, Dr. Rice left the stage to a standing ovation.
After an intermission, during which time the interview area was broken down and music stands and a piano were brought out, the Sybarite Chamber Players took the stage. They were a string quintet who performed two modern pieces:
- The Rebel, by Piotr Szewczyh
- Black Bend, by Dan Visconti
The pieces were brief but highlighted the performers abilities nicely.
A small set change later, Dr. Rice – an alumna of the Apsen Music School – took the stage again, with a string quartet comprised of: Lydia Bunn (viola), Ken Hamao (violin), Aleisha Verner (cello) and Eric Wong (violin). The quintet then performed pieces by Johannes Brahms, Dr. Rice’s favorite composer, and Antonin Dvorak:
- Piano Quintet in F minor, op. 34 (1862), by Brahms
- Piano Quintet in A major, B. 155 op. 81 (1887), by Dvorak
Dr. Rice is an adept pianist. She noted during the interview that she changed her major from Music (Piano) to International Relations after returning from the Aspen Music School, saying that she had observed eleven- and twelve-year-olds performing pieces that they had spent hours (or a couple of days) learning, whereas it took her weeks to master the piece(s) she was attempting to play. The string players were also very accomplished with their respective instruments. After they were finished performing, the crowd responded with another standing ovation.
We returned to SaraRules’ condo to change clothes and to get a quick bite to eat. Then, we headed into Glenwood Springs. Our objective was to visit the grave of John Henry Holliday, best known to many as Doc Holliday. What we didn’t know was that the graveyard was at the end of a half-mile uphill hike. We estimate that the elevation changed at least three-hundred (300) feet in that half-mile. (Google Maps seems to bear this out.) But, the three of us made the trek and explored the graveyard until we found the grave… sort of: There is a memorial marker in the graveyard (pictures). As explained here, the cemetary changed ownership in 1939 and some of the cemetary records – including where Doc Holliday was buried – were lost.
We trekked back down the mountain and back into town for dinner at The Bayou, a cajun restaurant that SaraRules had discovered and then we headed back to Snowmass Village.
All-in-all, it was a fun, adventure-filled day.
