She had a stroke in 2011, and left her piano to me at that time. The Volkert was fully restored in September of 2012, and we celebrated the centennial with a recital in October of 2015, and again with a collaborative performance in July of 2016.
Most people in my situation might take this opportunity to write something about how Ruth Kratzke was a tremendous influence. But that's not true. Instead, I would like to emphasize the fact that she was a tremendous presence. You could say that I'm the family pianist now, but that's not even a title anymore. If you don't believe me, ask the next person you see who their family pianist is. That was a title - no, a concept - that materialized just for her. I'm not going to force my father and his four siblings into a church basement in Washington State and make them play the "Anniversary Waltz" or "Happy Birthday" or "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" on the instruments they played in high school because nobody wants me to. I'm also not going to play the game of "Now I'll change keys and we'll see how long you can keep up" with all my cousins because I can't. I really can't.
What I will do is continue to be whatever I am, and regardless of my preferences and intentions, that is some sort of extension of her. This morning, I chose "Evening Prayer" from the opera, "Hansel and Gretel" as the prelude. She sang that song to me over twenty years ago when I flew alone to Washington for a visit. My offertory selection was "How Great Thou Art," and my communion piece was, "Go, My Children With My Blessing." If you didn't know her, you'll just have to take my word that those were wildly appropriate selections. The readings today, through no influence of mine, were taken from Ruth.
As tremendous of a church pianist as she was, Ruth Volkert Kratzke approached the rest of her life with the same zeal. She was a proud matriarch who loved her family, her country, and her God. Her walks were four miles long, she kept up with her memoirs, and she made the best damn blackberry pie you ever had. Here is a clip of her playing "How Great Thou Art," followed by a short clip of mine from this morning in her honor. May she rest in peace.
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You - KLCC Choir
