Next I was to play the Emperor Concerto with the Vasterås Sinfonietta, with Koivula at the helm, I was very much looking forward to that experience: an what a joy to have such a small group of lovely and most commited musicians around me! And Hannu is so good: yet another very talented Finn. We had worked once before (Mendelssohn # 2); the nicest thing about him is that he's so down-to-earth and charmimg that the work load is made very light! Thanks for being a great guy!
A fabulous chance was in store for me: three performances of the second greatest Concerto of the all times after Brahms 2: the one endearingly called 'Rach 3', yam-mee!
The Royal Flanders was the Orchestra under its new principal conductor, the Italian Callegare. One concert in Ghent then two in Antwerp.
Possibly due to the fact that I play a lot less often these days, I misjudged my energy in the 3 heavy-duties rehearsals, prior to the first concert: and as a result strained my weak right wrist... come the excitement of the performance, orchestras usually tend to forget to balance things as accomplished in the rehearsals; then things get louder and the soloist reacts by pushing harder to come through... Also the accoustics in the Bijloke Hall in Ghent... are not as beautiful as the hall! Just before the second performance (there was a short accoustical rehearsal as well) I had to beg the principals so that they could help me to get through the performance, by paying the utmost attention at staying 'out of the way', as much as possible-either that or they would have to find a replacement soloist...
Ever since that "handshake from hell", I cannot take too much strain. I had woken up following that 1st concert, as if my right forearm had been taken away from me... Add to that discomfort, the fear or concern not to hurt myself 'terminally', made things difficult. But by the time I got to the Coda I knew I was OK.
The morning of that last Matinée Concert - only a few hours after the drama of the night before, I knew that I had my forearm and power back - pure relief!
Ivan, my PA, could not stay away from that last concert and heard a great version of it: every time he comes to hear a concert I play well: a masterful Brahms 2 in Barça, and now here in Antwerp a magistral Rach 3 .. 'his words', not mine.
I wonder if some of the readers come to any of the concerts accounted for here?