It’s been a long road since you were sitting at your desk on the 8th floor of John Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia in 1975. I just came across a Christmas card from that year that you signed with your apparently former wife Anne. I was moved to do an internet search and found myself reading your story above. Not a happy one, I am sad to discover. Anyway, feel free to contact me if you can remember. Love was always the undercurrent that supported your soul. Hopefully, it will save you and redeem you and allow you to rediscover your lost self.
The gent in the picture doesn’t look old enough, but I was wondering if you were my old friend Ralph from Pitman, who was an organ prodigy. I seem to recall Kern D. and me going to Wanamakers once to hear you play.
Hi Cliff! No, I haven’t forgotten you. Just to easily distracted. Happy Thanksgiving. I have moved (with my wife and soulmate Rosemary) to Quincy, MA on a peninsula (they call them necks up here) called Houghs Neck; it’s beautiful. I hope to start writing and composing again. I’m also trying to put together an organ recital (or at least a partial one). I been a bit of a struggle since I haven’t played in public in over 20 years. It should be interesting. So, where are you now, what are you doing with yourself? BTW, that picture is about seven years old. I guess it’s time for a newer one. It is so good to “hear” from you.
The soul of Cesar Franck trapped in a body and mind, this time around, made to struggle with the burden of ego to finally surrender to the love that burns within. That is your salvation as I see it. Whenever I see his picture or hear his music, I think of you. Be strong and let go so that the grace of the universe can pour through you. Bless you !
I was surfing the web and came across your blog. I remember you from the retail store that you ran in Philadelphia during the 1980’s (Center City West, Locust Street, maybe?), you sold me the 8 volumes of Schirmer edition of Bach’s Complete Works. And I think you told me that you were working at St. James Episcopal Church in Kingsessing for a while. I believe you came to a recital I performed at the Irvine Auditorium at the U of Penna. in 1986. I take it that you lo longer live in the Philadelphia area.
I never became a full time organist, instead I became a public accountant. But with very small breaks, I’ve been a choir director & organist since 1989, since September 2022 at the Bethany Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
If I’ve got the correct Ralph Fisher, let me know. If you do indeed remember me, I’m interested to know exactly what stuck in your mind!
Hi George,
Yes, that’s me! If you remember I substituted for you at Bethel Presbyterian Church a number of times. I live in Quincy, MA now (a suburb south of Boston) with my wife Rosemary and our dog Blaze. I still substitute at various churches and compose occasionally. I haven’t written on my blog lately; but, I hope to get back to it. It’s good to “hear” from you.
Mostly Music and Curmudgeonry 
It’s been a long road since you were sitting at your desk on the 8th floor of John Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia in 1975. I just came across a Christmas card from that year that you signed with your apparently former wife Anne. I was moved to do an internet search and found myself reading your story above. Not a happy one, I am sad to discover. Anyway, feel free to contact me if you can remember. Love was always the undercurrent that supported your soul. Hopefully, it will save you and redeem you and allow you to rediscover your lost self.
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The gent in the picture doesn’t look old enough, but I was wondering if you were my old friend Ralph from Pitman, who was an organ prodigy. I seem to recall Kern D. and me going to Wanamakers once to hear you play.
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I believe he is the same person you speak of. He did play the organ and worked at Wanamakers.
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Hi Cliff! No, I haven’t forgotten you. Just to easily distracted. Happy Thanksgiving. I have moved (with my wife and soulmate Rosemary) to Quincy, MA on a peninsula (they call them necks up here) called Houghs Neck; it’s beautiful. I hope to start writing and composing again. I’m also trying to put together an organ recital (or at least a partial one). I been a bit of a struggle since I haven’t played in public in over 20 years. It should be interesting. So, where are you now, what are you doing with yourself? BTW, that picture is about seven years old. I guess it’s time for a newer one. It is so good to “hear” from you.
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The soul of Cesar Franck trapped in a body and mind, this time around, made to struggle with the burden of ego to finally surrender to the love that burns within. That is your salvation as I see it. Whenever I see his picture or hear his music, I think of you. Be strong and let go so that the grace of the universe can pour through you. Bless you !
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Hello Ralph,
I was surfing the web and came across your blog. I remember you from the retail store that you ran in Philadelphia during the 1980’s (Center City West, Locust Street, maybe?), you sold me the 8 volumes of Schirmer edition of Bach’s Complete Works. And I think you told me that you were working at St. James Episcopal Church in Kingsessing for a while. I believe you came to a recital I performed at the Irvine Auditorium at the U of Penna. in 1986. I take it that you lo longer live in the Philadelphia area.
I never became a full time organist, instead I became a public accountant. But with very small breaks, I’ve been a choir director & organist since 1989, since September 2022 at the Bethany Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
If I’ve got the correct Ralph Fisher, let me know. If you do indeed remember me, I’m interested to know exactly what stuck in your mind!
George Fieo, CPA
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Hi George,
Yes, that’s me! If you remember I substituted for you at Bethel Presbyterian Church a number of times. I live in Quincy, MA now (a suburb south of Boston) with my wife Rosemary and our dog Blaze. I still substitute at various churches and compose occasionally. I haven’t written on my blog lately; but, I hope to get back to it. It’s good to “hear” from you.
Ralph
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