Corpus Delicti


Alfred Brendel

Originally uploaded by lorenzlm.

This picture is document of last evening’s most embarrassing moment, when my new camera committed the sacrilege of an unplanned flash of lightning during a classical concert, down from the balcony (without any positive effect on the result, as can be seen).

Only those who know Alfred Brendel’s stern and unforgiving attitude towards his audience can estimate my loss of face. The slightest cough arises his anger, a premature applause during an unfinished cycle would be punished with icy contempt.

Fortunately Brendel was far too busy fighting with the intricacies of Schumann’s Kreisleriana to respond to my sin. He easily mastered his task during the more delicate and poetic parts of the composition, but when it came to the roller-coaster ride kind of rage also to be found in Schumann’s incredible masterpiece, introvert Brendel was not quite up to the challenge.