Friendly Rochester

 Ch. Koechlin, from 14 Miniatures

Upon arrival in Rochester, I had a little time on my hands and wandered the downtown core, speaking occasionally with locals to get directions as I sought out a few historic spaces to wander in and record. There was much to choose from - Rochester is an amazing place - and, not the first time, I felt a bit like a kid in a candy shop. As I approached the neighbourhood where the club was for the Mark Kozolek was playing that evening, I spotted what looked like a wonderful old post office building, and at first only admired it from the outside. But I doubled back and tried the doors, which, to my surprise, were open. Inside I was confronted with the image of a couple of security guards, hanging out and deep in conversation…and in behind them a wonderfully spacious, deserted, historic foyer and grand room.

After explaining myself and my interest in recording a bit, a couple of phone calls were made to some powers-that-be upstairs. I’ve run into red tape before, so as I waited I tried not to get my hopes up too much, expecting to be escorted back out to the street. But then word came through that it was a go! Before playing I assured them that if my short pieces by Koechlin disturbed anyone in the adjacent offices, that I was happy to stop at a moment’s notice.

Indeed there was no problem, as indicated by the applause from my audience of two at the conclusion of this piece! In fact I even got more than I bargained for, as I then got two guided tours of the main floor as well as the story about adjacent buildings once I had wandered back out into the city’s rush hour with one of my security friends. What a wonderful, friendly welcome to Rochester!