Tuning up down on the farm

The Baltimore Sun ^ | 5/22/06 | Tim Smith

[Republicanprofessor]

Renowned conductor Lorin Maazel cultivates young talent on his rural Virginia estate "I was looking for a retreat," Lorin Maazel says, by way of explaining how he came to be a Virginia farm owner 18 years ago. "I saw myself as the Solzhenitsyn of conductors," he says. "I would build a wall. No one would see me." A thin smile comes across Maazel's face. "But I'm really not the hermit type."

Not by a long shot.

Instead, Maazel, one of the world's most distinguished conductors, and his wife, German actress Dietlinde Turban, created the idyllic, 550-acre Castleton Farms deep in the hilly heart of Rappahannock County. And, rather than retreating, the couple opened up their estate -- to local children in an expansive home-schooling project; to neighbors for chamber music concerts by the likes of stellar cellist Mstislav Rostropovich; and, lately, to music students and young professional singers, who have created a fully staged opera production.

[Republicanprofessor]

What a postive article! Very inspiring, although long. definitely worth connecting to the original article for more details.

I would love to hang out there!

[Republicanprofessor]

Classical music ping.

Let Sitetest know if you want on or off this classical music ping list.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Mr. Maazel is obviously a true gentleman in every sense of the word. This world needs more like him.

[Molly Pitcher]

Thanks for the ping. This is the most beautiful county...n. Virginia piedmont country. Thanks so much!