When I tell people I’m an agent for classical musicians they ask ‘Do you play an instrument?’ I don’t play an instrument unless you count violin to Grade 1. I can’t even read music although I fancy I can follow a score of straightforward stuff such as Mozart or something conveniently composed in huge blocks such as the Rite of Spring. No, not only do I not play an instrument but I am yet to be convinced there is any link between playing an instrument and being musical or even liking music. You can meet unmusical people in every orchestra. I’m tempted to say that’s one of the reasons they need a conductor. There is an old Russian joke about the young conductor who is invited to conduct a provincial orchestra early in his career. He comes to the first rehearsal and things seem to be going well except for the look of utter disdain on the face of the leader. At the next rehearsal, the leader’s face is fixed in a pronounced grimace. The conductor is tormented and doe...