How ironic then that in early APRIL - to counter the annulment in Israel? - I was asked to perform “Rach-Pag” 3 times, in Florence with the Maggio Fiorentino, due to Bunin`s demise: there I was, relaxing, day-dreaming about my own Festival when: BANG, once again I had to step in to save the day.

And as when Spring powerfully awakens Nature from sleep, I had to come out with new ways of impacting blossom to that piece and chose to glorify the Rachmaninovation of that simple A min. theme in an A-B-A Sonata form, that went Paganini-definitely-Rachmaninov-Paganini. Moreover the treat of collaborating with Yakov Kreizberg, wonderful conductor and still a good friend. By the way, I’m looking forward to our next encounter, soon when he’s at the head of his Berlin Orchestra. On the music desks: Mendelssohn’s sparkling G minor Concerto, the one I call Champagne!

Incidentally, Italy for a few days, anytime, with pleasure!