China impresses me more every day - I have no idea how things can
work in such a huge machinery, but somehow they do. We had a (we
hope) unique opportunity to test Chinese ingeniousness in Zhuhai,
which was a gratifying experience. Our concert in Zhuhai took place in
the People's Great Hall, "a beautiful place," Angela the hotel
receptionist assured me. Arriving there, I was reminded of many
cities' ciuic centers: the movie posters in the lobby were a dead
giveaway. This is a place which is obviously meant for usage by the
local population, not fancified and sterilized for visitors from
abroad. By Swiss standards we'd call it basic, but the audience was,
by any standard, a hit. There are only about two concerts a year
played in this city of 1.48 million inhabitants- the rest of the time
I guess they just go to the movies. This was a very special audience:
there were whole families, with kids running around. There were people
coming and going and cell phones ringing. These were completely normal
folks who are interested in classical music: the receptionist from our hotel
was there, as she
confirmed this morning. And, since the concert was a different kind of
concert than the night before, the audience was also very different-
but even more spontaneous and hearty. It was an impression that
remained valid with all the natives of Zhuhai whom I met- friendly,
open. and very hospitable. Which brings me to their ingenuity:
when, upon returning to the hotel early this morning, Simon realized
that he'd left his trombone in the trunk of a taxi, the hotel
receptionist set heaven and earth in motion to retrieve it.
Unfortunately he hadn't kept the receipt for the taxi so there was no
way of knowing which company it was- in a city of ... how many
millions? What to do? Mei wenti- no problem- just call the local radio
station and have them announce a search. While you're at it, call a
few journalists to cover the story. This is how it happened that Simon
and his trombone were nearly miraculously reunited this morning. Isn't
that an impressive story?
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