This was a better lesson. We got to and started working on the coda of the Chopin. How anyone could fit so many notes into such a short space of time is beyond me. The Brahm's is ok but it is very chordal and so for me at least not so easy to read.

Third last lesson of the year today. Arthur and I spoke at length about practice procrastination (mine). The Brahm's went poorly. The other pieces were ok and there are just three more pages of the Ballade No. 4 to learn. Arthur says when he was in London for an international competition as a young man, he practiced 10 hours a day for two weeks. I think my problem is that I subconsciously fear that whatever I am about to learn will prove impossible. I know all the practice tricks. I just need to put them into action.

I've had a few weeks without lessons for a variety of reasons but back into it now. The Rachmaninov preludes are ok note wise but need polishing. The Chopin Ballade is coming along - just (ha ha) the coda now. I've started two Moskowski studies - more melodic in general than the Czerny ones I think.

It's a very small world. I sat next to a guy I didn't know at a recent Stephen Hough concert. He was with another young man and I thought, how sweet, they're out on their first date. Well, that's how it seemed from their conversation which I couldn't help but over hear with sitting right there and all.

Anyway, I spent last Saturday afternoon examining second year medical students and who should be there, as a fellow examiner but this guy! He plays too but that's as much as I found out because the bell rang again.