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 mailto:[log in to unmask]