The meeting with Sibelius - on making oneself known
After I had received this very kind - and very encouraging - letter from Sibelius, I pressed on in my wish to show my respect for him by dedicating to him my choral songs, Aftonland, composed to texts by Pär Lagerkvist. So when I was in Finland one could say there was every good reason for me to contact the maestro, who is on the phone, was on the phone, and was in the telephone directory under Professor Sibelius, I'd checked that, of course. I just did not dare. And so even when we Academy students were in the garden at Ainola, and Sibelius’ daughter, who was helping us that week, brought the maestro out from the house - he was about 90 at that time ... 89 - I just didn't have the courage to make myself known to him.
Chagall in
the park at Vence
This reminds me of a similar sin of omission I have committed on two other occasions. I was, and still am a great admirer of Chagall’s paintings, and when he was in Copenhagen and I had the opportunity to speak to him, I just let that chance pass as well.
The third person is not nearly as well known, it's an author from Langeland whom I really have the greatest admiration for, a man called J. Anker Larsen, who wrote 'De vises sten'. I knew that he lived near my school in Frederiksberg, and I went there, to Hollænderdybet, and stood outside his front door and did not dare to go up the steps. Fool I was.
