Putin Plays Keyboards

       Mad Vlad sat down to play-in Beijing.  While attending a conference among Asiatics, Mad Vlad again demonstrated his musical talent.  he sat at a nearby piano, and banged away a couple of Soviet-era faves:  Old Leningrad and Morning Mists.
      His facial expression exposed his misgivings when he heard the less-than-perfect results on the instrument that was obviously out of tune.   None the less, the video captured his 'overture' in B flat.
He remarked when done that because of the lack of tuning, his efforts were less than optimum.  Critics declined comment.
      The late Mr. Van Cliburn must be rolling in his grave.   More than a few Russyan composers would also be among those rolling in the sod.  Audience reaction among Chinese listeners was  not noted.
     A few critics made note that this performance was directed at Emmanuel Macron, the newly elected president of France, who claims some prowess on keyboard.   Whether this rings true is debatable.   Mr. Vlad's music provided background for Mr. Xi's conference on "One Belt, One Road" initiative which aims to send an international message that the era of Chinese hegemony is upon us.   Hmmmm.  And we understand that North Korea is not included.  Ha ha.