2009/10/23 New York
Weddings
Pianist
On the plane from Dublin to New York I had an awkward dream about the deceased Dutch novelist W.F. Hermans.
In this dream Mr. Hermans was not only a novelist but also a pianist. Unfortunately his career as a concert pianist was in ruins and he was forced to play at weddings and parties.
For some party I had hired Mr. Hermans to play the piano.
He arrived a few hours in advance in an apartment that did not resemble my own apartment at all.
Mr. Hermans asked: “Where is the piano?”
I answered: “In a venue nearby where the actual party will take place.”
Then Mr. Hermans started pacing up and down. He was impeccably dressed.
He appeared to be nervous, but I could not figure out what made him nervous. After all it was just a gig at a party.
There the dream ended.
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32 comments 
Arnon
You will never forget this dreamArnon
Were you by any chance flying business class?Oscar W
Yes. Why?Arnon
Did you ask for his autograph?Did you feel ashamed for hiring him?
Hermans
You seem to have something of a soft spot for W.F. Hermans. Of the so-called 'great three' of Dutch Literature, if read some pretty critcal things of you about Mulisch and G.K. Reve, I've only read positive things you wrote about Hermans. What do you appreciate the most in his writing?WFH
After 'killing' Karel van het Reve, Arnon Grunberg is going to 'kill' WFH: 'Arnon's Sonatine'.That's why WFH was so nervous.
Arnon
Would you be nervous if you had to perform a gig at a party?Bert Hesper
Killing Karel vh Reve? What do you mean?Hordijk
Yes, I do believe that Hermans has written great novels.Juliane
Not at all, I was helping him out. And I didn't hire him as a cleaning man.Gig
I would like to hear W.F. Hermans play his gigs - when playing free jazz - at trials.I don't see him play weddings nowadays, too much mindfullness to the occasion, or did you dream of his weddingpianistcareer in ruins too, or will we see in your follow up dream, sometimes dreams come in episodes.
I dream of him playing an organ, there are organs in all sizes and for all occasions (from supporting dj sets to hypnotizing bible belts all over the world), then WF would have a beautiful career.
Sasja
It depends on the party.Arnon
At an after party of a fashion show of Paul Smith?Careca
It depends on the gig.In your dream you were realizing that you have become someone who can make others, even the ones you once looked up to, nervous.
Don't take me wrong. We are all about gigs at parties.
Arnon
It seems fitting that you had this dream while flying business class.I am rereading Herman for the moment. He still is brilliant.
@Mieke: I agree. Funny thing is, I'm (re)reading Hermans too.
Have you ever met Hermans in real life, Arnon?
Have you ever met Hermans in real life, Arnon?
Z!
No.Oscar
I dreamt about Freud in hotel in Canada, see: http://www.arnongrunberg.com/blog/1147-naughty, do you believe that was fitting as well?Arnon
I'm not sure about the exact circumstances surrounding your stay at the hotel in Canada. (In this context, I'm a little concerned that in your Canadian dream Mr Freud was wearing diapers for adults.)Oscar
Here's some more information about the hotel in Whistlerhttp://www.fourseasons.com/whistler/pagea.html?source=gaw09whsS02&kw=four+seasons+whistler&KW_ID=P108710951&creative=1618707739&type=search&keyword=four%20seasons%20whistler&adid=1618707739&placement=&gclid=CNKz2_T1050CFaM45Qod9RLGyQ
Mr. Freud was wearing diapers for adults in my dream, but if I recall my dream correctly Mr. Freud had a quirky sense of humor.
My students at Wageningen University didn't seem to appreciate Freud.
dries van cann
'Killing' and 'to kill' with quotation marks....Ever heard of something called 'patricide'?
Freud's 'Traumdeutung', etc etc.
Have a look at AG's oeuvre.
What I meant is: all great writers, scientists, artists, etc, stand on the shoulders of their genius predecessors.
To give a nice example: Mr Richard Dawkins stands on the shoulders of (among others) Charles Darwin, Niko Tinbergen, Watson & Crick, Stephen Jay Gould, Bertrand Russell.
Ok, you try to figure out on whose shoulders our dear Mr Grunberg has climbed.
(And reread the post you refer to).
Short answer to your question:
[http://www.arnongrunberg.com/work/301]
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Arnon
Because it didnt happen still makes it discussable, so there are opportunities: what gig do you dream of? Careca makes it happen.Careca
Are you offering me a job?Arnon
Did you by any chance have the dream about Mr Freud in the Four Season's spa?Mr Freud is underappreciated. His theories may have little scientific value, but they certainly have literary merit.
Arnon
8,5 hours ago i was alcoholized half asleep and very optimistic so yes of course i am offering you a gig. I have no credentials or what so ever, on the contrary, i dont know Paul Smith yet, but i have the feeling this will definitely work out. A good dream starts with zero content and the best intentions. In my vision that is the start of our two jobs when you accept, so Arnon, do we have a deal?I wait for the day you'll pop up in my dream, nothing more than a gig. Will I have beaten you then?
Oscar
I didn't use the spa.As you might know Freud was hoping for a Nobel Prize in literature.
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