A Master and His Admirer

Dr. Jeffery Hollander has had a prolific career in addition to his 30-year tenure as the Pfister Hotel’s Musician-in-Residence. “He is so talented, I love the way he interprets the music. No one else plays like he can.” Natalia will be the first to tell you that he is not your typical lounge pianist. “No other place in Milwaukee has this kind of ambiance.” She has admired his work for the past seven years as a fixture in the Lobby Lounge.  So much so, that she made it into Katie Musolff’s painting of Dr. Hollander that is hanging in the hallway outside of the cafe. Originally from Russia, Natalia is a classical pianist herself, holding a Master’s degree in piano performance. Now, she teaches at MATC and has private students, among other engagements.

Natalia leads me over to the painting to show off her cameo. “I’m the one who looks like I am falling asleep on the couch.” she proudly points out her muted likeness in the strokes on the canvas. “After hearing kids torture the keys all day, I come here and listen to him. This is my mental spa, my therapy.” She softly slips into this happy place as she describes just how affecting his music can be. And quickly, she gravitates back to her seat close to the piano, with a clear view of his hands on the keys. I sneak away and allow her to return to therapy, with my own renewed sense of admiration of Dr. Hollander’s talents.

Natalia, proudly standing next to her likeness in Katie Musolff’s painting of Dr. Hollander