Preparations were on the way to welcoming Radu Lupu for rehearsals leading to our most expected 4-hands gig...

Our friendly big house was going to serve its main purpose of welcoming a large number of guests at any given time and apart from 3 students (Marco, who idolises Lupu, drove all the way from Spain and back, just for the performance, José travelled all night by train to be here, and Mei Yi who was turning pages, and in-the-end almost had to stand-in for Lupu, soaked up every second of His presence during the rehearsals, absorbing magical moments of blissful Music like a sponge; a smile from Him sent her into a statue-like stupor: she couldn't believe how funny, relaxed and flirty he could be, gone was the image of intense seriousness which emanates from Him) we had another eager two couples, staying with us; and of course, quite a few friends in the vicinity, having been invited months before, who were counting down the hours...

When he rang, a few days earlier, to say that he might have to cancel after all, having not been feeling too great ... How depressing would that be?! Luckily all was well and it happened.

It was as I pictured it would be: sheer magic: I could hardly wish for a more uplifting experience! The fact that I, little C*, played Schubert's heavenly works, next to his greatest interpreter alive ... is unforgettable!

The Fantaisie was beautiful beyond belief, with Radu on the trebble. But even more so in my opinion was the Rondo in A: the evening before the concert Radu changed his mind and decided that we should indeed play that in concert, instead of the advertised Military Marches (his choice, I hasten to add... he-l-lo!) and he then 'conducted' from the bass... with that warm, breathtakingly gorgeous, inimitable playing!

One sad note: although some pictures were taken (v. Gallery) not one focused on our 4 hands, on the keyboard! Pity.

Radu: we must repeat the dose, if only to put that right!

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