Reading those programme notes I did OK. I didn’t know the Edwardian into Georgian thing or any of that but now I do and that’s good. I reckon me and Elgar hit it off. However it isn’t a test. They don’t give you marks. You don’t pass or fail. You experience. And it’s an experience that doesn’t need that explanation or base knowledge. You already have the base knowledge. You are a human that thinks and feels.

I do know art. I do know music. I do know what I like as well. And so do you. You know that. And so know this: this music is neither dead nor dying. It’s being played with startling aggression and pride in most cities in the country, most cities in the world. Yes, it’s being played with incredible virtuosity but much more than that it is being played with soul searing passion. It is music of soul searing passion, not smooth, not relaxing, not the soundtrack to a drive home or a commercial or a Hollywood film, not supplementary to the product but there, THERE! – demanding your attention, your contemplation, your catharsis.

I think we, as a majority, need to recognize that Art and Sport are not different, but the same thing: The striving towards the pinnacle of achievement for the human body and spirit.

Having been a part of amateur sport (though not since high school) and an experienced contributor (read: dullard in the back of the section) to an orchestral section, my experience of both has been much the same.

Hours and hours of practice, repetition and labour (both as a group and solo) that come to a head in a few short minutes of intense, nerve-zapping performance. By the end, you are exhausted, having given all that you've had to put on the best possible performance for a group of people who are there not only to be entertained, but also hoping to see you succeed, and rise to your highest heights.

A performance of solo Bach is a dance, just like Ballet is a dance, and Hammerthrow is a dance, and Hockey is a dance.