In 1996 I performed the Gliere Concerto in Denmark. Jin Wang was at the podium and after the first performance in Esbjerg, I was feeling great for the second run - taking place in the town of Ribe; excited yet relaxed. Right after we started the second movement, I was aware of some disturbance at the very back of the hall. I really was rather engrossed in the music, but faintly registered some erratic clapping by a single set of hands and some vocal grunting and whooping.

This spring I splurged and bought a manuscript page from a 15th century Italian choir book. I had it mounted and hung on my wall - close to the entrance. There is glass on both sides, so I can turn it over and enjoy the flip side as well. When I look at the beautiful calligraphy, it makes me think on the monk in his monastery spending hours on the illuminated first letter alone. And I think on the hundreds of people who have held this book - turned this exact page and th