Since a few years, I own a Bechstein. This is largely due to Lara's insistence.
We were visiting Stockholm from Vienna; I think it was in November 2008. About a year or so before that, while still Ambassador to Sweden, I had bought a restored grand piano, Bechstein too, for the residence ball room. It came from a piano store on the borough of Sodermalm, about a 15 minute walk away. This time around, since we were staying in the residence as guests, I of course tried out the piano. Vis-a-vis Lara I lamented the fact - for the so maniest time - that I had made the bargain deal on behalf of the Embassy, instead of purchasing the instrument for myself, a long held wish.
So why don't you give the store a call, Lara suggested. I doubted the chance that at that precise moment they would have a second-hand Bechstein on offer, and told her so. What were the odds? But she kept insisting. (It later turned out she'd already called the store and knew for a fact that the odds were actually looking a lot brighter than I thought.)
So finally I phoned the store. They had not one but two in their shop!
Lara and I speed-walked over there rightaway, around five o'clock, dark already since hours, trying to beat any competitor who might steal my piano before I ever got to it. I bought the larger one (a 'B' of 211 cm in length), dating from 1941, in fine shape. After refurbishing, it was home-delivered in Vienna, a few months later.
I would doubt the odds a second time.
A day or so before Lara would come home from the hospital this last time, I made arrangements for the piano to be tuned. The date was set for 7 June. At the time, I was resigned to the fact that, following all predictions, Lara would have passed away by then. After all, she was sent home on 24 April with only two or three days to live.
Suddenly the day of 7 June had arrived, and the tuner presented himself at the appointed hour. I'd forgotten all about him. Lara objected to having the piano tuned in her presence, and rightly so. So I sent the tuner away; shocked, he more than understood. I didn't dare make a new appointment until after she had actually passed away, since she had continually beaten the odds, ever since 17 April. Lara lived an amazing 57 days after having been given up by her doctors!
I played the piano for her from time to time during her final weeks at home, including some of her favorite pieces. Particularly soothing among them was a traditional Swedish hymn, which we both cherish as one of the finest melodies ever composed, imbued with sweet melancholy. Jag vet en dejlig rosa. I know a lovely rose. Listen to it using the following link:
The tuner came this morning.
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