Thank you for your mail, especially for your personal words.
It is always difficult to communicate superlatives in a foreign language, let me keep it simple, therefore, the week in Ischia was ' very special' !!.
This applies to all aspects: the infrastructure ( 'Covo' , "the four grands' , library , surroundings etc.); the coaching (really excellent ! ); a lot of interesting people etc.
I have great respect for your organization !
I would really appreciate to join you next year, but of course this will depend on my situation. My wife also enjoyed the week very much.
If I can do anything for you related to the ICMW, let me know.
Best wishes,
Wim

The music festival was more than I ever expected. I arrived a bit intimidated and almost immediately realized I had no reason to be. This being my first time, I really have no comparisons to make. But here are a few observations. The music chosen for me was challenging enough without really making me anxious. I thoroughly enjoyed my rehearsal and performance companions. The coaching sessions were thorough and helped me understand chamber music playing, of which I have done practically none. Before arriving, I thought I would only concentrate on the three pieces selected for me for coaching. I am happy that I was able to do some additional reading and playing with other participants.

I thought the location of Ischia was magical. I think I would arrive early or stay later if there is a next time. I was very pleased with the accomodations in every way. If I can attend next year, sharing an apartment with someone would be better. For my purposes however, a more reliable internet service would have allowed me to do my work of communicating my activities via blog in a more efficient way.

I enjoyed the concert very much. I am assuming everyone had the opportunity to perform if they wished. That seems to me from an organizational point of view, the only way to arrange it.

I am sure I will have other comments as I reflect on this experience more. I know for sure that I will be practicing more chamber music parts.

We got back to the States in one piece after a great day in Rome Saturday. I just wanted to write to say thank you so much for allowing us to participate in the festival. I had a great time doing what I love most in the world: eating, drinking, and playing chamber music! The trip allowed our quartet to get a lot closer as a group, and I think it made our playing that much better. Thank you for providing a forum for this magic to happen. All the participants were really interesting, and totally inviting, a totally great experience for all of us.
So, many thanks, and here's to another year in 2012. I will do all I can to make it happen on my end. best wishes for a great year, and hope to see you in Philadelphia soon!

I think this year's week was very well organized--had "extended coaching" as some people like, as well as some opportunity to play "un-assigned" music.   Kind of a combination which is difficult to arrange.  I think the preparation of the program was excellent, the coaching of the assigned piece on Thurs.,  the AM coaching on Fri. and the "run-thru" before the actual program.   The program was a good length, had good variety.
I like the 4:30 time to begin.    Some people did not want to be on the program and I don't know what to do about that, get a "substitute" for them for the performance?   May not always be possible.   But somehow,  one person not wanting to perform should not prevent an entire group from performing.  And no one should be FORCED to perform either.
Some people wanted a variety of coaches--but I don't think they realize that this might mean entirely different interpretations of the same piece.
But somehow, mixing up coaches a bit might be good the 1st 3 days.
I don't care, personally--that was just what I heard from some