I WAS listening to my daughter play the flute in the school orchestra when, bizarrely, the Audi A3 Sportback leapt into my mind.
It occurred to me that much like the music being played by the pupils, the Sportback is totally in tune with the need of its audience to be relaxed and excited in equal measure.
The talented tykes played soft, delicate passages of music that were expertly interwoven with more energetic pieces that really got the blood flowing.
Likewise, this two-litre TDI Sport version of the A3 has an excellent engine that puts the mph into 'oomph' with 140bhp providing the necessary adrenaline rush any car like this must come equipped with.
But it is equally at home pootling around the city streets - and with an average fuel economy figure of 49.6mpg it puts the wallet at ease as it behaves like a miser with his last Rolo.
It is also on the Harpo Marx side of quiet - proving that speed and relaxation really can go together.
The six-speed manual gearbox is a joy allowing the car to be powered from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds.
The car is fun to drive with the sports suspension set-up absorbing the worst British roads can throw at it, while speed-sensitive power steering gives the driver a good feel for what is happening on the road.
Cornering in the A3 Sportback is exhilarating as the handling is foolproof and levels of grip are excellent.
The exterior of the car looks sleek and modern - which is as it should be for a motor that costs in excess of £20,000. The face of the car makes a bold statement with a dominant front grille.
The entire front section is made up of one single unit, helping to reduce bodyweight and increase rigidity which, together with a multi-chamber aluminium crossbar bumper system makes the A3 exceptionally impact-resistant in a head-on collision.
Interior space for driver and front seat passenger is pretty good for a car of this size and there's a surprising amount of room for a moderately expensive shopping expedition.
The A3 was never designed to be a proper estate or big-windowed people carrier, so load capacity is acceptable for a car with such sporty pretensions.
For the button pushers among you the A3 is fitted with a host of goodies including alloy wheels, radio/CD player, a natty easy to use driver information system, electronic climate control, front fog lamps, sports seats, a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel, electric front and rear windows, plus powered and heated door mirrors and remote central locking.
Safety is obviously a top priority for Audi as there are enough airbags to turn the A3 into an airship. There are three point seatbelts for all seats plus crash-active head restraints in the front and three rear restraints. The car is also fitted with a plethora of electronic aids designed to help keep you on the tarmac.
To deter the sticky-fingered members of society a Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser are fitted.
So while the car is relatively expensive compared to some of its competitors, it does more than enough to justify the price-tag.
FAST FACTS
Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport 5dr
Price: £20,030
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 9.5 secs
Combined mpg: 49.6
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 150g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust, 3yrs paint