Condi Rice makes music in Aspen -- after Sen. McCain practices harmony

August 1, 6:59 PMDenver People ExaminerErnie Tucker

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Condi Rice...hitting the right notes in Aspen

As the crowd was waiting for the Dalai Lama to speak inside an Aspen Institute tent last Friday, July 28, a well-dressed woman leaned over to a man in a suit and whispered loudly “Are you going to Condi’s reception dinner?”

The aforementioned “Condi” -- for those not on a first-name basis -- is U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She'll be part of high season for intellectual celebrity in Aspen, where a steady stream of powerbrokers appears in the country club-like campus to contemplate Big Issues. It’s not surprising that Rice, who has heard so much worldly discord, would seel solace here. Therefore, assuming nothing pressing happens in Iran, she's scheduled to appear at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in a joint venture of the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Institute that's billed as an afternoon of "Words and Music."

It's back to her roots for Rice, who began taking piano lessons at 3 and performed in Aspen as a 17-year-old student, but “consequently decided a career in music was not in her future,” according to a State Department press release. Subsequently, she went on to earn her PhD in international studies at the University of Denver. Still, that earlier classical experience must not have been too traumatic, because Rice will appear in the Benedict Music Tent.

"I am honored to have been invited to return to the Aspen Music Festival and School, and I am looking forward to performing with the students,” Rice says in the release. “The Aspen Music Festival and School gives musicians the opportunity to learn and cultivate their talents in one of the most inspirational settings in our country. As a musician and educator myself, I value the vision of this institution, and I am excited to take part in this year's festival."

The event will begin with a conversation between her and Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacson, and include an audience question-and-answer session. Afterwards, Rice will be joined by current Aspen Music Festival and School music students to perform two chamber music works. They’re scheduled to tackle the first movement of Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A major, B. 155, op. 81 and to follow with the 2nd movement of Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor, op. 34. Presumably, President George Bush was too busy to lend a hand; Sen. John McCain, who was in Aspen last week, didn’t add any music, other than appearing in harmony with the Dalai at a private residence outside the friendly confines.

To underscore the importance of this rare treat, the press release notes that this is only the second time Secretary Rice has performed publicly since she was elevated to her current position in January, 2005. (By the way, in case this comes up in Trivial Pursuit, her favorite composer is Brahms, State sources revealed.)

Tickets are $30 and $60. Just don't expect the Secret Service guys to join in on Chopsticks.