The Symphony

I’m back in Zürich after a short trip to New York City. The flight was astonishingly uncharacteristic. It left on time. It arrived on time. And even though I was following the company policy of CPF [Cheapest Possible Fare], I was nevertheless placed, all by myself, in a row of three seats. Afraid that a disgruntled fellow traveller might covet one of “my” three seats, I moved into lateral class as soon as the airplane left the ground. My good luck continued when I fell asleep and missed the (gasp!) economy class dinner.

When I got to Casa Carmen, I took a short nap. (Nazy was at her art class.) That evening, courtesy of our Credit Suisse banker (Martina), we were…

“Going to the Tonhalle, Dan,” Nazy said.

“The Tonhalle?” I asked.

“Yes. It’s next to the Congresshaus. We’re going to see a symphony.”

“A symphony?”

“Yes, Dan.” Nazy glared. “Classical Music with..”

“Traditional instruments like violins?” I asked.

“Are you trying to be difficult?” Nazy replied.

“I don’t have to try, my dear.”

The orchestra featured a visiting pianist named Radu Lupu.

“He looks like Radovan Karadzic,” I whispered.

“What?”

“Before he grew the beard, of course.”

In fact, Lupu is well-known to piano connoisseurs because he is one of the best pianists in the world. According to Wikapedia:

His rigorous stage persona became part of his allure: he never chats with the audience, or even smiles;
instead he appears intensely focused, and even refuses the comfort of a padded piano bench--
preferring instead a standard office chair. His sole interaction with the audience is a glare when he wishes
it to be silent.

Lupu is good. Moreover, there is nothing quite like a full symphony orchestra playing in a grand venue. On the other hand, it was the end of a very long day and..

“You were sleeping!” Nazy wasn’t impressed.

“My eyes may have been closed, my dear,” I replied. “But, I always listen to beautiful music with my eyes closed.”

“Do you drool when you’re listening to music?”

Note to reader: I was not drooling. (Really!)