Yesterday I attended a memorial service for a person who was known as an extremely powerful, brilliant leader and organizer who almost always had the last say-so. I knew a different aspect of this person: I knew the tears that accompanied her reaction to beautiful sounds--tears that gave away how much she wanted music in her life--something she could not simply commandeer.

She proved willing to do the hard work of learning to feel the music without dissolving; learning to channel the feeling into generous participation together with others in a chamber music setting.

It was almost the exact opposite of what constituted her professional personality and accomplishments. How I admire anyone who will take such a risk.