Magic Flute, Jean Seberg and Iowa

If young musicians ever needed a role model, to show how far the passion for playing an instrument can lead, all they need to do is look at flute player Harvey Sollberger of Strawberry Point.

As explained in today's Ramblin' column in The Gazette, Harvey was born in Marion, graduated from the University of Iowa and went on to tour the world as a musician and composer. He has returned to Strawberry Point because his parents later moved there and his second wife, Marla, has an extended family in the area.

Harvey loves the peace and quiet of Northeast Iowa, the change in seasons and the ease with which he can travel from coast to coast. He also loves the idea he can easily drive to Iowa City where he still meets with his college music instructor, Betty Bang Mather, now 81.

In fact, in early February Harvey travels to San Francisco to conduct a couple of chamber music pieces as part of a celebration of the 100th birthday of composer Elliott Carter. And in late February, he's off to New York for that city's premiere of his "Nemisis" composition for clarinet and piano.

Late last year Harvey had three premieres, including one in Rome, Italy, and another in Leuven, Belgium. The latter included "The Entry of Jean Seberg into Heaven," one of seven movements of his "Obsession" composition.

I was intrigued by that title since I've been interested, but not obsessed, with Jean Seberg since I can remember. (If you wonder why people could be obsessed with Jean Seberg, click here  and click here for YouTube videos with clips from her movie, "Breathless" that also includes links to other videos.)

You see, I grew up in Marshalltown and lived on Fremont Street, just a few blocks from 13th Street pharmacy where her father, Ed Seberg, dispensed prescription drugs. I was only four when Jean Seberg was "discovered" out of 18,000 applicants by director Otto Preminger to star in his film about Joan of Arc. While I can't personally recall how that was the talk of the town, my parents brought it up from time to time through the years. I do remember seeing Ed at the drug store as I grew older. As a result, I felt remorse upon Jean Seberg's suicide 30 years ago.

Harvey felt similar remorse, which is why he named the piece after Jean Seberg.

"She had a very interesting and tragic life," Harvey said. "We were both at the same age and we grew up in two different towns in Iowa and we both left the state and ..."

"I have concerns about young people leaving Iowa," Harvey told me later. "I had to go to New York for my career."

Alas, Harvey has returned after a career that lead him around the world. All because he learned the magic of a flute.