Dark night of the soul.

Piotr Anderszewski at Carnegie Hall
The New York Times, December 5, 2008

It is entirely possible, in retrospect, that I might actually have understated the terrifying isolation and despair Anderszewski brought out in the final movement of Beethoven's Op. 130 110. As I told one of my editors on the phone yesterday, I was so shaken during and immediately after the performance that I wondered if perhaps I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Now, since the recital was recorded for commercial release, I wonder if I'll feel the same way when I hear again under different circumstances what Anderszewski did to me here. And, if so, would I ever want to listen to the disc more than once?

Update: Turns out I was more messed up than I suspected. A very kind correspondent from Boston gently pointed out that the sonata in question was Beethoven's Op. 110, not the Op. 130 string quartet. "I know it must have just been a brain cramp," my benefactor wrote. "Sounds as though you were pretty overtaken by the performance." You can say that again. Thanks for the assistance; I phoned a mea culpa into the paper this morning.

Comments

[Ken]

"Overtaken" for "overcome," "130" for "110," where will it all end -- and does anyone still care? Not a Times editor, for one...

[Steve]

"Overtaken" has nothing at all to do with any Times editor, Ken, as it appeared only in correspondence that came from a third party. But thanks for your concern.