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Post by julesd68 on Jan 25, 2024 13:08:56 GMT
It's amazing that some people still don't know how to behave at a classical music concert. Yesterday evening someone had their phone still spewing out notifications for something like 15 minutes before turning them off. This was during solo piano so you can imagine how much of a distraction it was. I'm pretty sure it was the same person who took an eternity getting a cough sweet out of its wrapper and continually zipping up and unzipping her bag to retrieve some detritus. And the highlight? She and her partner thought it was ok to start a conversation during a really hushed section of the music. Fortunately an usher stepped in at that point. They were too far down the row for me to be able to do anything. Just a staggering lack of self-awareness ... They weren't remotely young either! Oh yes, and they were the first to leave at the end without applauding the soloist. Ughhh.
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Post by MartinT on Jan 25, 2024 14:22:39 GMT
Ignorance on a galactic scale. I've also had the odd very annoying person at a concert.
Sadly, my death stare did not end with the culprit molten and gently smoking.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 1, 2024 18:21:14 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 6, 2024 11:55:10 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 18, 2024 21:48:34 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 22, 2024 7:50:29 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Feb 22, 2024 10:45:51 GMT
For repairs or rework?
EDIT: sorry, I see it's for repairs.
It seems to be the usual promises made after cancellation of the new concert hall, and as usual it's been kicked up the road.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 22, 2024 17:01:10 GMT
Martin, do try this highly rated (Dave Hurwitz) new selection of fine Sibelius works including the very haunting Swan of Tuonela.
It's on BIS so sonics are usually top notch.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 27, 2024 11:38:54 GMT
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Post by Slinger on Feb 27, 2024 15:35:27 GMT
Do Gyung a.k.a. Anna Im it appears, just to confuse matters. This was seven years ago, when she was just 18... and this is from last year... |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2024 14:06:41 GMT
You can imagine how intensive her training was since the age of six ...
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2024 14:15:45 GMT
I think the Royal Albert Hall have really lost the plot in their attempts to regain lost revenue from recent years.
On a recent booking of two not inexpensive tickets I was charged a full 10% of the face value, over £8, and a "Restoration Levy" of £4.
If you're enjoying a box there, why not add some cheese and wine for £70 or salmon and champagne for £160?
Then of course there's the bar prices - you might as well hold a glass to your eyes instead they will be watering so much ... £10 for a very modest wine served in a plastic beaker. Classy.
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Post by Slinger on Feb 28, 2024 14:45:39 GMT
I think the Royal Albert Hall have really lost the plot in their attempts to regain lost revenue from recent years. On a recent booking of two not inexpensive tickets I was charged a full 10% of the face value, over £8, and a "Restoration Levy" of £4. If you're enjoying a box there, why not add some cheese and wine for £70 or salmon and champagne for £160? Then of course there's the bar prices - you might as well hold a glass to your eyes instead they will be watering so much ... £10 for a very modest wine served in a plastic beaker. Classy. It might prove interesting to find out the comparable prices for non-classical performances, to see if it's just one group of people being ripped off. What? You already knew I was a cynical buggger.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2024 14:58:13 GMT
I think the Royal Albert Hall have really lost the plot in their attempts to regain lost revenue from recent years. On a recent booking of two not inexpensive tickets I was charged a full 10% of the face value, over £8, and a "Restoration Levy" of £4. If you're enjoying a box there, why not add some cheese and wine for £70 or salmon and champagne for £160? Then of course there's the bar prices - you might as well hold a glass to your eyes instead they will be watering so much ... £10 for a very modest wine served in a plastic beaker. Classy. It might prove interesting to find out the comparable prices for non-classical performances, to see if it's just one group of people being ripped off. What? You already knew I was a cynical buggger. Lol !
It's an industrial scale urine extraction the likes of which I have not seen in the capital ...
Because of the RAH location, do they think we're all "Sloane Rangers" with huge wads of excess cash to burn?
I would be much more inclined to willingly donate as opposed to bringing charges for daylight robbery. Ah .... breathe.  |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 28, 2024 15:36:53 GMT
I remember my eyes watering a good few years ago when I bought Ruth and me a gin and tonic each at the Festival Hall. "That'll be £18, sir!"
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 1, 2024 9:05:42 GMT
Pulsating Shosta 4 from Sir Simon + LSO last night.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 2, 2024 10:18:06 GMT
A new live recording of Mahler 6 by Mr Rattle, this will surely be worth a listen after his fab 9th with the same crew.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 12, 2024 14:55:55 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 14, 2024 10:55:30 GMT
Dear interweb,
I'm at least three concerts out of date with my reviews. Must find the moment to write them - last night I went to "Wagner's Grand Festival" at the Royal Albert Hall and much to my great surprise it was quite an evening!
I can say right now that Siegfried's Funeral March is an absolutely essential experience in the concert hall, I have shivers just writing this thinking about it played at crushingly loud volume ...
That's all for now.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2024 12:48:22 GMT
Siegfried's Funeral March is an absolutely essential experience in the concert hall Oh yes indeedy. One of the best things Wagner ever wrote. |
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