Lunchtime recital in Harrogate. I am always more than happy to try-out repertoire in the gorgeous acoustics of Wesley Chapel. The organizer of concerts Andrew H. is one of the nicest people in music, a most well-informed man about concerts, recordings or anything happening in the business. For years now every summer I’d been playing Schumann’s Davidsbündler but, due to the fierce upload of work on my plate in the preceding weeks, I hadn’t quite got around that 100%! So not to ruin the day by attempting to perform it from memory and feeling very comfortable about it, I used the score. Never mind, we owe this silly tradition to the intentionally acrobatic-playing by Liszt plus the existence the undeniable rivalry with Clara Schumann, unique lady pianist, who had to prove that she was equal to any man, especially Liszt, therefore they were always trying to surpass each other. Otherwise our playing from scores might be accepted, just as when playing Chamber-Music. The easy-going audience is only too happy to listen to good music.

“Thanks for the continuing support, Andrew!”

After having recorded with the Fine Arts Quartet last December, I knew that our functions could only get better. Although America is not my favourite destination, those concerts were something I quite looked forward to; and ‘Barge Music’, in New York City, certainly turned out to be as ‘romantic’ as Ralph the leader had stated: from my seat at the piano, I had a lovely view of Manhattan all-lit up -- quite magical, really. If the wind hadn’t rustled up the waters and affected … my tummy: I find it rather difficult to read from my reduced scores, especially in a barge floating on turbulent waters.

Next morning, the Quartet and I went by train to Washington, for a concert in Dumbarton Oaks’s beautiful Music Room where we gave a great performance of Fauré’s Quintet n°1 and Franck’s F minor.

Two weeks later, we were to record the Franck, in Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. Considering that I started what turned out to be the worst flu of my life and felt like death in the morning of the last session … it went rather well! Consequently, not only did I spend Easter ill in bed, but went on coughing my guts out, for more than 3 weeks!

Shock ahead. Home at last, on a quiet and lovely Sunday morning, I decided to open the pile of mail on the kitchen table … he-l-lo… what ….?! My Barclay Card had been cloned, in the States while there I was, playing concerts: and somebody had had a ‘field two-days’ using it to an amount of …over £ 4,500! Phew… for insurance!

A chapter apart .A perfectly run festival in the dainty Latvian town of Ljepaya, made me appreciate its people and feel so heartwarmingly welcome and especial. With many pianists together, things can get very tricky... Not in Ljepaya: Brigitte Engerer backstage… Bashkirov at breakfast… and what about J-B Pommier’s beautiful playing in Beethoven n° 3? “On va se revoir, n’est-ce pas, Jean-Bernard?”

The interior of their cute theater reminded me a bit of the little Opera House in the jungle (v. Feb 2007)... People running that “Festival of Piano Stars” do everything to perfection: treated like royalty, that’s how I felt.

“Thanks ever so much, sweet Ilona, you are very special! And Gunnars: don’t forget that you promised to learn more Portuguese than just ‘Picapau ... I’ll check the next time we meet, ok?”