It was really surprising the other day to hear an excellent student orchestra playing well, every note in place, every entrance neat and tidy, everything as much in order as could be imagined in a very ambitious work -- except that the colossal humor of the piece was nowhere to be found.

I was reminded of a recent master class of Robert Levin which he concluded by glaring at the audience and growling: "Do you know what is missing in Classical music?"

"HUMOR!!!"