Thursday, November 17, 2005

beethoven makes the world go round!

Programme: Beethoven - Leonore's Overture #2, Violin Concerto, Symphony #7
Violinist: Frank Zimmerman
Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Barbican

It's not often that I gush over a concert, but yesterday's performance by the LSO at the Barbican was excellent. How often do you get the audience bursting into spontaneous and thunderous applause at the end of the rousing 1st movement of the Violin Concerto? (For the classical music concert virgin, clapping in between movements of a piece is usually a no-no.)

First of all, we had a solid programme of pure Beethoven, which is always enjoyable. Led by Bernard Haitink, it was much better than I had expected - very clean lines from the orchestra, well-controlled without sounding claustrophobic, and there were a number of good solos from the trumpeter and flautist. [I went for the Tchaikovsky violin concerto last week and it was dreadful. We were sniggering during the violinist's cadenza.] Having heard the Violin Concerto a number of times, this performance was by far the very best. Zimmerman's Stradivarius had such a beautiful singing tone, the notes were in tune and beautifully executed, and each of it was played with intention. Makes me want to ditch the piano for the violin.

I want to go on and on about the amazing performance by the soloist and orchestra but I'm but a lowly Music student who's unceremoniously relegated to the bottom of my class, what do I know? I hereby refer you to my very very very clever classmate, Dominic, who topped the level with 92% for his dissertation (A King's College record). He's so clever that he makes my teeth ache. Why do my teeth ache? Because there's where the secret stash of my emergency brain cells are hidden (you can't put all your eggs in one basket), and I need that extra source when I'm talking to him. I'm not used to thinking with my teeth. It's very hard work.

You do know I'm talking rubbish by the way. Of course teeth have no brain cells in them. Everybody knows that they're stored in our toenails. Here's his review: link

In any case, the LSO is having a Beethoven cycle right now. It's Symphony #2 and #3 this Monday, and the Triple Concerto in the weekend. Do make a trip down to the Barbican if you can, you can get cheap student tickets for 6 quid. I recommend the Triple Concerto - piano + violin + cello + orch! And it's Beethoven, wicked!

p.s. Yang'en>> don't be lazy and go for at least one concert this semester!

blueprint

I will like to spend my days, as though they are my own, which I mostly end up doing in halves, for duty beckons, and I am answering its clarion call. Soon enough! I am also a veteran procrastinator.

fresh monodies

i really should be doing my 3 schenker graphs for ...
a quickie because i feel like it.
it's all been done.
headache.
and it all fuses together.
panicking.
it's always MY fault, innit?
it's been long in coming.
do you make your own fortune?
I got a call from Jo last night, about an accident...

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betty boop
carmentica
charming-linn
chasing snowy cars
cheeky lynn
cheryliciously glam
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cyclist-mad bass
darling dominic
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weeeee, leonard!
yangtze yang'en

frivolous pursuits

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mulling over

And there were phlegmatic souls.