This is the lead to a review of Vikram Seth's most recent novel _An Equal
Music_.  It's by Jonathan Levi, and I came across it in an old L.A.  Times
Book Review.  I thought it was good enough to share.

   Here's the challenge: Take one concert hall (Carnegie, say, capacity
   2, 804), one symphony orchestra (the Cleveland, 100 players, plus or
   minus, one conductor, say George Szell).  Then dress yourself up in
   a starched shirt and tails (cummberbund optional), walk out on stage,
   tuck a million-dollar piece of wood, varnish and aluminum-wound catgut
   between your chin and collarbone and play one concerto (Beethoven A
   major, three movements, 40 minutes, 8,976 notes, more or less), better
   than anyone has played it before.

    Even sperm has a better chance.

Yours,

David Cozy
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