Around two o'clock I came in to listen to the Yesipova class examinations. This is a 'big day' in the Conservatoire. Among those graduating this year are Poznyakovskaya*, Zeilinger and Zakharov - all of them good, none of them outstanding. The examination, which took place in front of a packed hall, lasted from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., and was an extremely exhausting event. The result was as before: Zeilinger has talent, Zakharov is more intelligent and harder working. Much of Zakharov's playing was of great refinement, but it lacked brilliance of technique, temperament and warmth. He failed to electrify the audience, and at the end of his programme people started to leave, although all agreed that he had played well . . . well, but blandly.