Tanya Ury in Köln, Germany, wrote how “time spent with Patrick was always significant and potent. He was a most special person, not only in the things he achieved in life with music, but also in the way he lived so totally in the moment, so spiritual.”
Her deep and personal letter is below. As always, shared with permission.
Thanks so much for this mail and please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family.
In fact a couple of days after Patrick died, Cecilie Sheridan mailed to tell me – the 3 of us had lunch together and spent a long afternoon talking at my rented place in Deià last summer – it was a wonderful day – very harmonious and happy, the last time I saw him.
But I was not surprised to hear from you today because this morning before waking I had a long dream about Patrick, which was surrounded by divine love – I feel he is in a very good place now (I’m a bit of a telepathic!).
I first met Patrick many years ago (nearly 20) through Suzanne Bradbury, when we visited him and Stephanie at Davall es Penyal – Suzy and the trio played. Not long after I made a significant donation when Patrick was looking for a new piano for the Deià music festival – Suzy came to Cologne to view and play pianos in a piano shop for possible purchase. The last time I saw Patrick he assured me that funds (that originally went towards the festival piano), after it was replaced by the new festival director, went towards a new piano recently – so all is well – many in Deià donated towards that.
In more recent years when I visited Mallorca on holiday I got to know Patrick a lot better and valued our friendship greatly. So, it was sad to hear that he died. A very courageous man – in the last few years I could see that he was suffering pain, not being able to walk so well, but he never mentioned it and always enjoyed the essence of the moment absolutely. He introduced me to the Manskers with whom we spent an evening a couple of years ago.
A year ago Patrick generously reiterated an offer to transcribe and digitalise my father’s music – I have been trying to get the notation from the Historical Archives of Cologne, where the family archive legacy went down with the Archive building when it collapsed in 2009. I had written so often to them about getting scans to send to Patrick, but in vain as all material has to be restored first and they have millions of objects to work on.
The time spent with Patrick was always significant and potent. He was a most special person, not only in the things he achieved in life with music, but also in the way he lived so totally in the moment, so spiritual.
I am sad that I won’t be able to see him again and share some intense moments again, and I know you must be feeling it even more, but I do feel he is in a special place now.
Thanks so much for preparing a video for all of us who couldn’t be there to celebrate Patrick’s life.
I wish you well
and love
Tanya
A guest at Daval Es Penyal in Deia, a place made extra special by Patrick and Stephanie.