Musical performance is fraught with opportunities for things to go wrong. Whether it be foolish gaffes, hilarious hiccups, or failing electric lights, this book catalogues numerous disasters, both in the concert hall and at smaller musical gatherings.
There are many memorable cartoons (mostly from Punch), including my own particular favourite : A young swain, a working man, is visiting his lady love. He holds his penny whistle in his hand, and is obviously about to serenade her. He is outside her small cottage, she is inside, leaning out of the window, her hand linked in his arm. She looks dreamily up to the stars and says "Go on, Alf, play something impressive, like a concerto."
Buy the book - you'll enjoy the witty style and seemingly endless fund of anecdote. Judging from the previous paragraph, you'd better buy it for the cartoons as well - they work much better in picture form !
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