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 Today at the concert, feeling bathed in the live sound of Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C Major is a very special treat. The warm tones of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra playing on historical period instruments creates such a rich tapestry. Now several hours later, the music is still ringing vividly in my body and heart. The whole big family of instruments – 16 violins, 6 violas, 6 cellos, 4 double bass, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets and 1 Timpani – play with beautiful gusto under the direction of conductor Richard Egarr. For the first time in 18 months for a live audience. The joy is palpable in players and listeners alike. And this feast is taking place on an afternoon when the first autumn rain arrives with a little sprinkle as we are leaving the First Congregational Church in Berkeley. The friends who treated me to this concert are equally nourished and moved.

The after taste is strong and delicious. The preciousness of joining together for live music of this proportion is coming into clearer focus now that the pandemic has been teaching us many things.

Just like the precious third of a banana we were allotted as kids once in a seldom while. My bother, sister and I would each carefully slice our small piece into the thinnest slivers. And then we would arrange those onto as many pieces of dark bread as possible. The excitement of this very rare occasion heightened the joy and the taste. Unforgettable.

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