Last night I had the pleasure to play for the first time in 18 years with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bayerische Rundfunk in Munich, one of the best orchestras in the world - their chief conductor is Mariss Jansons. I played the Brahms Double (again) with Lisa Batiashvili who played as always absolutely beautiful; a challenge to be on stage with her because she has such musical charisma that it is very easy to be blown away, while in that piece the cello needs to lay a good base, otherwise something is missing. Did it work? People said we had a very natural balance, sounding like one instrument (hopefully like hers, not like my fat monster), but I know quite well that if it wasn’t like that, people would not tell me anyway, so I never know, always guessing. (more…)