Kissinger Plays Bassoon? In the January 21 issue of the New York Times, Russell Baker's political column featured a discussion of a (mythical) request for Henry Kissinger to appear in a "famous country" and play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on the bassoon. The reason Mr. Kissinger had to refuse this one of many requests was not because he cannot play the bassoon. Rather his diplomatic schedule was so hectic (in the Middle East) at the time that, 'The only time he'd have to practice the sonata on the bassoon would be on the airplane, and I'm afraid if he was taking in breath when the plane hit an air pocket he might inhale the bassoon reed." The interviewer agreed that this would be calamitous since it was well known that the Middle East had not a single doctor who could perform the difficult reedotomy, surgical removal of an inhaled bassoon reed.