I remember visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris back in  the summer 1995 with a couple of good friends from culinary school. We elected to study for a semester in France, and Italy. We ditched a class one steamy July morning outside of Paris, and headed  aboard the Metro to Lachaise. We probably missed some important stuff, but the day turned out fruitful nonetheless.  Hell yes!  A couple glasses of Cru Classe Beaujolais, and a rotisserie chicken in a seedy little spot just outside Lachaise  were in order before our entering. We dined just outside the cemetery, watching many a gorgeous French beauty from the hood passing by our table, and us snapping an occasional shot-for the history of it of course.  (I still have a great shot of  one particularly well dressed, flaming red haired, petite, truly Parisian vixen with an attitude, propped in a frame atop my dresser!)  I love the shot.  We were there to see Jim Morrison’s grave.  But, what I saw that day changed my life forever.  I just happened to have been loaned a Maria Callas CD that day and I entered the cemetery with “Tosca ” blazing.  We went right to Jim’s grave-really wild.  Hoards  of Americans lined up, proffering token Marlboro Red packs to the lizard king.  I came, I saw, and I went.  I went off on my own.  And while listening to Callas I stumbled, by accident onto her grave sight!  I did not even know she was buried there! I stood facing her memorial while listening to a scene from Tosca!  This sent chills up my spine.  My love for Maria increased ten fold.  I headed out and walked.  Minutes later it was the grave of Oscar Wilde, with poems, letters, and flowers left by visitors.  Further still,  I ran into the sight of Edith Piaf, then Gertrude Stein, then Brilliant Savarin.  More and more, and more.  Then, the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen in a cemetery.  And, the most beautiful.  I took a picture of this one, and it is amongst my favorite photos of all time.  The grave sight of Frederic Chopin. Again, flowers and notes strewn about.  The most beautiful, and perfect lasting  tribute to this artist of immense soul and talent.  His soul speaks to me daily as I pass the picture I captured that day.  I have it in a 20’s art deco frame on my piano.  Today, one of the guys in our beer department at work, knowing my love of music, gave me this Chopin piece to listen to during my lunch break.  I had heard it a million times.  A classic Chopin Waltz, and a true  study in the art of  tension building and what might be considered-sublime release.  This is sex translated into music.  It gives me chills when I hear it.  The classic release,  and lifting  of the hand on the very last note here by Rubinstein is  as immortal as the song itself.  Now,  a few days before Christmas, and with the stress of being in the wine business in full swing, this song lifts me.  It makes me happy. I am alive.  I love what I do, and the tension is building…..and the release is coming.  Thank you Dave in Beer for this one. We’ll make it through another grueling season.   Check out Arthur Rubinstein in this one.  He looks like he is playing at home. The guy is deep in a  fit of utter Chopin passion.  He has interpreted this one with alacrity. Happy Holidays!  Let the Music do the talking. Here is the link: Chopin Waltz In C Sharp-Rubinstein

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