Never mind concerts: of late I have so enjoyed spending hours reading Music of my choice. Whereas some people seem to be reading several books at once, I enjoy forever deciphering the score of one piece of Music, reading between the staves so to speak, trying to scoop out the exact mood meant by Robert or Frederic, Johannes or Maurice, not to mention Ludwig or Sergei. Give me plenty of free days when, instead of the dreaded packing and subsequent rush to and from airports, I have the luxury of wallowing into the tenderness of a Davidsbündler; delving into the desperate sadness of any of the ‘C # minors’ by Pichon; playing through either the ever-fulfilling ‘Rach 3’ or the all-encompassing depth of a Brahms # 2 -- two of the most complete scores in the repertoire -- keeping them ready, or as close to it as it‘s possible!

Would you like to know the best imaginable cure for depression in my opinion? Go through any one of Wolfgang’s miraculous concertos: and I know it works! Or have you ever tried to ‘breathe-in’ a phrase of music so that your lungs are completely filled up? I swear you’ll come out totally refreshed and in tune’!

Well I did have a couple of concerts this month after all: The 1 st as part of a “World Cup of Culture’ at the Brazilian Embassy in Berlin throughout 2006 -- a clever idea by Gilberto Gil, our minister for the Arts, echoing the football fever which will soon hit Germany. Meneses and I were guests in the amazing residence in order to open the series in their pretty-good 400-seat concert-hall, playing a combination of Beethoven, Rachmaninov and Villa-Lobos; which was more than ever the usual ‘sublime trip’ we parted company hoping for more performances soon …A gorgeous reception for a few lucky people followed after which, to Ambassador Felipe’s greatest surprise and pleasure, I was proud to convince his very sensitive wife (herself a diplomat by career, a clever writer and an amateur cellist if I’ve ever met one) of an impromptu-soirée! I had great fun! I realise that it can’t have been easy to double-up with Antonio Meneses, in a Haendel sonata for 2 cellos + continuo, but you must admit it was very rewarding, right Marilu? Thanks for the courage, you came out trumps and your lovely staff enjoyed the bonus!”

And to end the month, I went back to play a recital at Uppingham Music School for (I had done the same plus given MasterClasses, last Summer) – but this time there was a most distracting noise in the school-hall: still questionable whether it came from a flapping flag-pole line or a creaking system of ancient-radiators, which destroyed my enjoyment and concentration: the older I get, the more I require perfect conditions in order to perform and produce my best! So-r-ry!

On the following day I had to adjudicate for hours on end (200 kids all together) but that turned out to be more fun than I imagined! Well done, Alexis, the kids obviously work hard towards proving themselves and that’s so important! Although I’d love to come back, it will have to be when the new Music-building is finished: its new Fazioli beckons me: but please, no more distracting noises!