It doesn’t mean anything, that the reporter called. It’s just a story. Madman accuses violinist of crazy nonsense during (by the way) a brilliant performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Clearly, he’s lost his mind, either on drugs or one of those wretches who are mentally ill and should be locked up and the key thrown away! Of course, don’t say that part. And keep calm. At all times, no matter what he asks, stay calm. And why should he ask anything anyway? He won’t. There is nothing to ask. I’m sure it will be a two- or three-minute call, so he can get a quote for whatever tiny mention it is going to get in the paper. I wonder… is it going to be part of the review of the concert? I certainly hope not. I don’t want to contaminate my scrapbook with that—and I have never yet omitted a mention in the New York Times or any other paper, at home or on tour, not even the one or two mixed reviews early on (it’s an exaggeration to even call them “mixed”—never have I had a bad review, neither during the war nor after it). Where was I? I can still see that man’s face, his beet-red face and staring eyes, and the way he was pointing at me across the first few rows of the audience… “J’accuse!” It was English he spoke, with a heavy accent. But the sentiment… And the way those smug rich Americans (my fellow countrymen) turned to look at him, and then stared at me accusingly… No, that’s my imagination. I suppose they were just confused and shocked. It was only his face… I don’t think I will ever forget it as long as I live. Don’t tell him that either (a joke). Still, be sure to convey that the whole thing was just an unfortunate little incident, an interruption, nothing more. And, of course, I hope the poor young man gets the help he needs.
“So, there’s nothing to his claim, then?”
Keep calm. Of course not. Smile. He won’t see it, but he will hear it in your tone. The understanding smile of someone who has experienced everything life can throw at him, and is not flustered, not in the least. Evidently just a crazy foreigner.
“Why would he say it then, I wonder? It is such a very specific claim: ‘That is my father’s violin. He died in Bergen-Belsen. You stole it. He died and you stole it.’”
Is that what he said? I didn’t—
“Didn’t you hear...
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