In a time of chaos in Eastern Europe, one couple has found peace in their new life together.

A University musicology professor recently married an East German woman. The couple attributes much of its optimism to changes occurring in East Germany that have enhanced their chances for happiness.

Brian Stewart met Kordula Wyssuski at a conference held in an East German monastery and music instrument museum. At the time, Kordula was representing a publishing house interested in the work of the Georg Telemann Research Center, with which Stewart was associated.

Through a series of brief meetings, the couple maintained cursory contact over the course of a year. Then, in June, 1989, a sudden realization hit them.

"Like you know the sun is going to come up," Stewart said. "We knew we were going to be married before we started dating."

Stewart proposed to Kordula last summer. The couple had to apply for permission from the East German government before making wedding plans.

"We couldn't set a wedding date," Stewart recalls. "I was sick the entire fall semester wondering when we could get married. (The East German government) could have said no."

"There was some doubt that it would be granted," Kordula said.

Her brother had emigrated and his girlfriend left the country illegally to join him, she explained. This decreased Kordula's chances of getting permission.

Kordula remembers when the permission finally came through.

"The revolution had already started and they had to grant us permission," she said. The couple was married on Dec. 4.

Stewart, a musicologist researching the life of composer Georg Telemann, received a bachelor of arts degree in music and German from Penn State before continuing his education at Stanford, where he received a doctorate of philosophy in musicology.

He attributes his interest in Germany to his semester spent in Cologne in 1976. He said his more specific interest in Telemann started in high school and continued with dissertation work he did in Hamburg on the composer.

During a visit this year to East Germany from Dec. 1 to Jan. 7, Stewart said he noted a considerable change in views of the country through his colleagues at the Telemann Research Center in Magdeburg, East Germany.

"Everyone used to ask me what was going on in the the United States, but this time the focus was on the changes going on within the country and where they might lead," he said.

Stewart described his work with the Telemann Research Center, before demonstrations swept that country in recent months, as "a cooperative effort of equal partners."

His relationship with his colleagues was always unofficial, he said. Direct connection between the East and West was not allowed by the government.

"I always went to (conferences) as someone's guest, not a member of the center. That was not allowed," he said.

His colleagues were also not allowed to telephone him concerning his research on Telemann's life, although he sometimes called them.

"Some things we weren't allowed to talk about openly," he said. "Before, there was always a sense of fear."

Stewart said his work will probably be easier without the restrictions caused by fear of the secret police.

"For 40 years the (East German people) had lived under oppression. That has all disappeared," he said. "There was a great deal of excitement."

Kordula, who received a degree in music education and German at the Karl Marx University in Leipzig, took part in demonstrations the week of Oct. 17. She described the environment of the country before the revolution as "schizophrenic."

"The officials would say one thing in public, but their private lives were something different. A lot of people belonged to the (Communist) party for the benefits," she said.

Kordula said that before the Oct. 7 demonstration in Leipzig, she was surprised by the sweeping changes that have since occurred in her country.

"The government hoped that the people would be intimidated and stay home after the (Oct. 7) demonstration was put down," Stewart said. "But it didn't work."

Both Stewart and Kordula are optimistic about changes brought about by the revolution.

Stewart said there are two possible directions East Germany might take.

"There is a segment of the population calling for immediate re-unification (with West Germany). If that segment wins out it would be unfortunate."

The East Germans, less economically centered than West Germans, represent a warmer society, Stewart said. "It would be lost with re-unification."

Stewart said another segment of the population sees chances for a democracy that is socially and environmentally responsible. Their chances for success depend on "pulling together a viable political platform," he said.

Kordula added East Germany might find a way that is neither socialist nor capitalist and that re-unification might help both East and West Germany find a new system of government.

"I don't know if East Germany will have a third way. It depends on what West Germany wants too," she said. "We can make it as good as possible."

Stewart said the May elections in East Germany will determine the direction of East German politics.

For the couple themselves, the changes in Europe ease the difficulties of being a bi-cultural family.

"We're not sure where we'll live," Stewart said.

Once the situation in East Germany is more stable, the couple may consider returning to that country to live. However, Kordula is currently adapting to life in this country.

"It is not as different as I thought," she said. "I expected the (living) style to be much higher."

"I have confidence in her ability to succeed here," Stewart said.