The One that Callas Feared

I may not know much about sports but damn it I sure as hell know at least something about violinists (I think). The second time Joshua Bell appeared in Joseph Gingold’s violin class (at age 13 if I recall correctly) I was seated about 4 feet directly in front of him. Joshua played the entire Mendellssohn concerto perfectly (from memory). The only correction Gingold made was to a slight portamento Josh had put in during the second movement. “You must have gotten this from Galamian?, it is too dear–please take it out.” I had needed to clap ridiculously hard and loud to make up for the icy reception Joshua was receiving from the all admittedly brilliant but also apparently rather jealous violinists in Gingold’s studio at the time. I can still recall the sheer coldness in the room 40 years later.