by Ann Davis, Philadelphia, PA

Pianist Andre Watts was performing Rachmaninoff’s famous Concerto No. 2 with the Houston Symphony in the mid-1990s. From audience view, the piano was situated to the left and in front of the conductor so that Watts and the conductor were within a few feet of each other. Classical music aficionados know that you never applaud between movements of a major work, but Watts’ performance of the first movement was enthralling beyond words. The audience was overwhelmed and could not hold back a spontaneous burst of applause. Watts had ended his final chord with his hands poised in the air, and the conductor was leaning over him with his baton pointed slightly downward. They remained frozen in that position while the applause died down.

I remember thinking it was one of the mosts beautiful musical moments I had ever experienced, and I was determined to freeze it in my mind. The sheer joy the audience felt during this remarkable performance was something I will never forget.