Thursday, March 25th, 2004

Bruch etc

Thursday, March 25th, 2004 07:41 am
I just wrote a long detailed review of last night's South Bank Concert and then somehow lost it (must've pressed wrong button, made wrong incantation etc).

Royal Philharmonia (precise playing that's full of verve) conducted by Yakov Kriezberg (who seemed to be having immense fun throughout), playing Rossini's William Tell overture (replaced post-work rush with Bounce), Bruch's Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony #4. The latter had forceful brass (especially as we were sitting right behind the tuba, in the cheap choir seats) and was interesting, though didn't grab me.

The Bruch -- soloist Janine Jensen, playing a 1727 Stradivarius: maybe that was what made it so engaging -- was amazing. She's an intense player and at times seemed like a caricature of the passionate violinist: complicit looks exchanged with the orchestra, hunted expression during the first movement, a sense of conductor versus soloish though not orchestra versus violin. And in the third movement it all resolved: cheering, bright, exuberant music wrapping around the audience, or at least this bit of it.

Jensen (worth hearing if you get the chance, if I didn't make that clear) wore a gorgeous dress. Black velvet bodice, gold lamé skirt. I mention this only because it left her back bare to shoulderblade level. It was like an anatomy lesson: you could see every muscle group.

PSA

Thursday, March 25th, 2004 07:49 am
I should just clarify / remind / inform:

- while working (4 days a week usually) I have no LJ or email access. Most days this means I am only able to respond to email, play LJ catchup etc for an hour a day, between 7am and 8am.

- I am also continuing my freelance work, which takes a fair amount of the rest of my time (mainly, this week, in trying to get Major Client to commit to a meeting).

- turnaround time on everything has increased, and each week is micro-planned, usually by the end of the previous week: so last-minute invitations, changes of plan etc may not be accommodated.

Just so you all know!

[Left unlocked for non-LJ people and those who don't 'do' Friends pages]

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