Saturday 7th March, 7:30pm, Royal Festival Hall at the South Bank Centre in London. "Classic Relief" - gala concert in aid of the Comic Relief charity. WOW!
First up, what wonderful acoustics in that hall! I've played there before, but not actually been to see anything and hear it from the audience point of view. Excellent natural projection from the Orchestra and well mic'd soloists and voices. Even right up in the balcony. A pretty good view from there too.
The London Philharmonia were excellent and the various guest soloists were of equal calibre. What really made the difference though, were all the jokes - musical, surreal and slapstick that they had woven into the night. And conductor, Rainer Hirsch's patter was superb. I was amazed how well it all worked and flowed. I haven't laughed so much and so hard for so long since seeing Dave Gorman touring with his "Googlewhack Adventure".
Their rendition of The Blue Danube was both beautiful and hilarious. The Ride of the Valkyries for Marimba Duet and 10-piece Stylophone Ensemble was OUT THERE.
But, the jewel in the crown was to see and hear Dame Evelyn Glennie, the world-famous, profoundly deaf, Scottish Solo Percussionist play a piano duet. I believe it was her first public piano performance in her professional career. Totally unexpected and beautifully nuanced. Quite mesmeric and flowing arm and body movements too. Evelyn is an amazing performer.
Well worth fighting the motorway roadworks and 2 closed tube lines to get there and get back home very late.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
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