Most recent concerts

Last week, Pei Kee, Jeff, Shin Yee and I went to see the London Symphony Orchestra (which I think is the best orchestra ever) play Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Mussorgsky's Songs and Dances of Death. As a bonus to the programme, the LSO played The Twittering Machine by some contemporary composer whose name has slipped my mind.
The contemporary piece was really interesting and I actually liked it! I wouldn't mind listening to it again (some contemporary pieces are so horrible they precipitate headaches - like one I heard last year - forgot the name - didn't even bother to remember!)

The Songs and Dances of Death bit was brilliant and the soprano was a sight to behold. I swear I've never seen a lady taller than her. She had a magnificent voice that could be heard over the LSO - now that's something! She wore a very suitable dress for the programme - was quite morbid but beautiful at the same time. This piece was originally written by Mussorgsky to be played on the piano (which would've been a lot more boring). Shostakovich orchestrated the piece some time after it was written, and being a genius and an OCD person, he definitely did the most perfect job. I loved the interplay between the different sections and the energy of the piece.

Now of course, the Scheherazade. I was so impressed by this I didn't even want to blink or move a finger. I was rooted to the spot like a statue throughout the 40 plus minutes of this brilliant piece! The LSO definitely did not disappoint and did Rimsky-Korsakov justice! Just magnificent! It's difficult to put the experience into words! And there's also something about the concert hall at the Barbican centre that just makes everything sound so much better, clearer and louder... Wow, that was worth the money, in fact I would've paid more!

I went to see the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall the following Saturday (proudly turning down offers to the latest bond movie!)
Anyway, the programme was Rimsky-Korsakov's Tsar Saltan Suite, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Kalinnikov's Symphony No. 1.

Tsar Saltan was pretty good, although it's definitely not one of the best works of Rimsky-Korsakov (which would be Scheherazade!). The orchestra was sounding rather soft as we were sat quite far at the back (being the cheapskates we are).
However, at the end of the piece, we seized the opportunity and ran to one of the unoccupied seats at the 4th row of the stalls, which were far better!

Tchaikovsky's 3rd Piano Concerto was disappointing. I never heard it before and thought I'd take a risk (as you can never really go wrong with Tchaikovsky - turns out you can!).
I found it extremely draggy and boring - and plus I didn't even like the melody!
The morbidly obese pianist wasn't a pretty sight (compared to the beautiful female pianist that I saw play Rachmaninov's Variations on a theme of Paganini at the Barbican centre a year ago)
I just couldn't wait for it to finish, and it made me feel slightly guilty for bringing this friend who was completely new to classical music to this concert of all concerts!

Kalinnikov was also a chance I took - but a good one! That symphony was really good, although it probably lacked depth compared to symphonies written e.g. by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. It had a good tune (which was probably the most important thing to my friend). It kind of climaxed, but not really. But it was ok. Nothing fantastic or anything, but good enough to keep my attention.
I vow to use my final few years in London to make the most of my stay. I will go to as many concerts, dramas, ballets etc as possible!