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I was so lucky to get a ticket. They went for over $400; I got mine for $37 through a friend of a friend, someone I had never met. The artist was a world-renowned concert pianist. On the program was my favourite solo piano piece. An hour and twenty minutes. Intended for the harpsichord, but an equal marvel on the piano.

The pianist played without a score. Most of the time, with his eyes closed. No sheet music anywhere near the stage.

So what if he misses a note? If he hits the wrong key? I got super nervous a few minutes into the recital. And then the only thing I could concentrate on was whether he was going to mess up or not. I wanted the performance to be perfect. Some say a mistake is natural in a long performance, but I wasn’t having any of it. I was overwhelmed with fear lest he make a mistake. I was sweating bullets all through the show at the sheer horror of him potentially hitting the wrong key. My hands clenched into fists, my knuckles were white and hurting.
***
His performance was flawless. The audience roared with applause. Minutes of standing ovation. I sat in my seat, sobbing. With relief and gratitude. And decided never to go to a live concert again.

robert

Enthusiastic photographer. Loves stories too.