Chungliang Al Huang

Dear Rebecca: 

So sad this morning to read the passing of your father… A wonderful man with such distinguished life/career— truly admirable. We will all miss him…  Deep condolences to you and the Nettl family.  I will miss seeing him at Krannert concerts sharing our kindred appreciations.  Again, so sorry to lose this remarkable teacher/mentor in person. I will think of him always with lights in his eyes whenever we meet each other in town. Again, my heartfelt condolence to you and family.

Here is a poem by Tagore I go to for comfort at time of loss, in case you do not know it yet…. 

I have no trace of wings in the air
but I am glad I have had my flight.
The butterfly counts not months but moments
and has time enough.
These paper boats of mine are meant to dance
on the ripples of hours
and not to reach any destination.
The center is still and silent in the heart
of an eternal dance of circles.
Faith is the bird that feels the light
and sings when the dawn is still dark.
My last salutations are to them
who knew me imperfect and loved me.
Before the end of my journey
may I reach within myself
the One which is the All,
leaving the outer shell
to float away with the drifting multitude
upon the current of chance and change.

—Rabindranath Tagore