Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre (Imperialbari)

Lars Trawen · Post by **Lars Trawen** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:26 am

Does anybody know what has happened to our Danish friend? I've not seen a word from him in many months.
Previously he was one of the most active members of this board. He always had the most insightful comments to any topic. I'm missing his contribution.
Furthermore, his collection of horn pictures, especially tubas, was outstanding.
Thanks,
Lars

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:51 am

I have wondered the same. Klaus is a legend on TubeNet.

djwesp · Post by **djwesp** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:50 pm

the elephant wrote:Klaus? Are you okay, man?

I emailed him, quite a long time ago, about his arrangements on his yahoo forums.

I still haven't heard back from him.

Hope he's okay.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:23 am

Word was he was in poor health with failing eyesight around the end of last year. I also have enjoyed his curmudgeonly comments and extensive knowledge of brass instruments.

I did notice his postings becoming more and more disjointed and off-topic as time wore on, but, hey this is TubeNet. Wrapping up someone's online pursuits is not usually one of the duties of a final caregiver or executor, unfortunately. On the internet, one can indeed just fade away.

Eric "also wishing Klaus is OK and/or at peace" L.

pierre · Post by **pierre** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:32 am

He posted as recently as May 29 on the Norwegian tuba forum (albeit in Danish

)

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:39 am

Good news. Please ask him to post here if you can.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:48 am

Ah. I see? Well, good wishes for Klausie anyways.

Eric "out of the insiders' loop as usual" L.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:16 pm

Doc wrote:He's such a rascal sometimes.

Takes one to know one.

If I had the guts, there would be a picture of food or beverage here.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:27 pm

I, for one, am glad to hear that there is nothing untoward, and it is just a pause! And I am neither in the loop or out of the loop, and since the Pope (Sir, to us Americans) has banned Limbo, I guess I'm not.

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:59 pm

Doc wrote:The only "Holy Father" or "Your Holiness" I know of (Biblically speaking) is God. That's where the train stops. Everyone else can get off. "Sir" is quite appropriate if you understand God's word and instruction. The Pope is human like the rest of us, and he is born into sin like the rest of us. The only human that can claim "holiness" is Christ himself. Of course, if people don't believe, they can say whatever they want. That's your right in our wonderful country.

I don't think our President BLUNDERED this one, as the media frequently accuses. "Sir" was on purpose. The Pope is just a man, not God. Despite apparent bumbling sometimes, even the Prez understands that NO man can be called the "Holy Father" or "Your Holiness", despite what is customary or expected. Now, if he had said, "Howdy, Mr. Pope," or "How's the old Pontiff today?" or "Nice robe," I would have laughed my *** off.

Doc (wondering when DK will enter)

Amen. (He says, with no DISrespect intended to the Pope, but quite agreeing with Doc's understanding, and probably risking getting this thread quickly moved to "off topic" ... or worse -- TubeNet Limbo!)

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:01 pm

I hope Klaus is doing well and also hope that he will grace us with some of his knowledge and wisdom.

As to the tack this thread has taken in the last few posts, the term "Your Holiness" is an honorific and really has nothing to do with one's personal belief regarding the Pope's holiness or lack thereof. Under long recognized customs and protcols of diplomatic communication, the address "Your Holiness" is used with regard to the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Dalai Lama, the Patriarch of Constantinople (actually "Your All Holiness"), certain other high ranking monks of Buddhist tradtions, and others. Unlike the others, the Pope is also a head of state (Vatican City) and this is the form of address for persons holding that position. If the President can't figure that out, he has protocol officers with him that should spell it out for him - or at least draw a picture.

As a private citizen, you can call the Pope what you want. When you are the head of state, failing to follow protocol will be regarded as a blunder.

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:49 pm

Well said, Alex (good clarification) and Rob (good observation).

If the President chose his words accidentally, then shame on him and his handlers. If he chose his words intentionally, based on HIS theological position, then "good for him" (personally) and "bad for U.S." (politically).

It shows the true nature of the political arena -- it can be difficult to take a principled stand, because there is always a pressure to compromise for some reason -- protocol, the next bill you'll need support for, the press will accuse you of being an idiot, etc. Difficult to do, but not impossible.

Back on topic -- I, too, hope Klaus is doing well in Denmark!

Cheers,

tubarepair · Post by **tubarepair** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:54 pm

Catholics are Christians? I was always amazed as a Catholic youth when people would question wheter I as a Catholic was a Christian or not. A guess the Crucifix didn't explain it well enough.

Now, I am merely a "Submarine Catholic" - surfacing only at Christmas and Easter (for paying gigs of course).

I too miss Klaus and his Euro-centric views of music and brass instruments.

Daryl

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:02 pm

bloke wrote:' anyone need any holy water...??

Did you say holy war?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:18 pm

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:20 pm

the elephant wrote:Klaus is fine, more or less.

Next time you correspond with him, send him my best wishes.

Rick "who sent another Dane to him for advice just a few days ago" Denney