While driving in upstate New York today, I put a cd on of Ignaz Friedman, and another of various legendary pianists playing what they played best. It was awesome--the sheer magic of their pianism and the liberties they took in phrasing was so refreshing. What it reminded me most was that we are living in a world which is so troubled, and freedom is restrained--however troubled the world was during these pianists lifetimes, as a whole, artists had complete freedom--and the media was not as 'in-your-face' as it is today. It was a wonderful escape to drive and listen to beautiful music--a missed note here and there--it didn't matter. The subtlety and freedom was something wonderful to embrace.