Cara Nina de Veritch Smith was born in Montclair, New Jersey on August 18, 1941. She is an amazing cellist, teacher, performer, mother, friend…and my only sibling! Although we are six years apart in age (with me being “the younger… Continue Reading →

In last week’s blog we focused on my maternal grandfather’s heritage and background. This week I am speaking primarily of my mother, my maternal grandmother and her nuclear family. My mom’s mom, Ida Nathanson, was born in Kiev in 1893.… Continue Reading →

In a few of my earlier blogs I have shared some of the details of my father’s life as well as that of his father and step-father. So, I’m thinking that now might be the time to delve a little into… Continue Reading →

Let’s leave the world of music for a minute while I share another memorable moment from my flying career. Shortly after I began piloting charter flights out of Van Nuys Airport in Southern California, I was hired by a middle-aged… Continue Reading →

During my years with the Los Angeles Philharmonic “run-outs” represented a substantial portion of our performance commitments. If my memory serves me correctly, in a typical season we would play in San Diego 4-6 times, Santa Barbara 3-4 times, Irvine… Continue Reading →

After finishing last week’s blog with a reference to my flight instructing days….I couldn’t help but be reminded of the many times, over the years, people have quizzed me about my fascination with aviation. So…I have decided to spend a… Continue Reading →

Now here is a word that is used rather frequently.…….“PREPARED”.                                                            … Continue Reading →

A few years ago my wife Evelyn and I were driving from Nashville to the Pigeon Forge area of Eastern Tennessee when suddenly I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a roadside sign proclaiming, “Davy Crockett’s Birthplace..40 miles… Continue Reading →

I am delighted to report that just prior to the holidays the extensive process of transferring the vast majority of my personal and professional memorabilia, correspondence, documents, recordings, photos, and music, etc. to the PRIMROSE INTERNATIONAL VIOLA ARCHIVES……. has officially… Continue Reading →

A really big fan of our White House String Quartet during its Washington years was the Honorable Justice Abraham Fortas. One of the nation’s most respected legal minds, “Abe”, as we learned to call him as our relationship developed, not… Continue Reading →