May 17: Left-Handed Compliments

When Kirill Gerstein stood up, having played

Rachmaninoff’s concerto number three,

More virtuosity was then displayed;

His encore for left hand filled me with glee.

With his right hand at rest upon his thigh,

His left spun peerless aural fantasies

That seemed impossible, at least well-nigh,

With just five fingers dancing on the keys.

I thought if Anton Rubinstein could write

What Kirill Gerstein then saw fit to play,

Such strictures creativity ignites,

Inspiring other artists on the way.

And yet, I doub...