At ten o'clock there took place the general rehearsal for today's concert by the small orchestra. Tcherepnin was in a state of incredible nerves, but when I drew his attention to this he replied mildly that, on the contrary, he was feeling exceptionally calm. The beginning of the rehearsal was a disgrace, but after a while they pulled themselves together and began to play quite well. The Weber, which I had been nervous about, also went well. For the first time the piano was in its proper concert position; for the earlier rehearsals it had been stuck somewhere at the back, miles behind the orchestra. I love to see a grand piano with the lid open, in position on the stage in front of the orchestra, ready for the concert. I felt this surge of affection in the summer when I played my Concerto, and now, as I stood on the podium with the instrument open behind me, I felt it again. The thought came to me that in the course of my life I should no doubt be both playing and conducting in a great many concerts. Which of these activites would I be doing more often, it would be interesting to know?!