Tonight at the Barbican for the London Symphony Orchestra for:
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Mahler Symphony No 5
Myung-Whun Chung conductor
Leif Ove Andsnes piano
I bought the ticket a couple of weeks back and buggered if I was going to miss it.
The programme amused me:
'All the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order.' These are the immortal words of Eric Morecambe, showing Andre Previn ('Mr Preview') how to play the piano in a classic 1970s Morecambe and Wise sketch...
So of course, during the opening bars, I had a vision of Eric and Ernie prancing round the kitchen to the Stripper.
I was also delighted to read that "Mr Andsnes's concert dress is provided by Issay Miyake". After the concert I could have queued to get his autograph. I didn't.
All that aside I enjoyed the concert. Both pieces have been in my collection a good few years now and have lasted for very many plays that have printed them indelibly on my mind. So it's always good to hear a different interpretation.
I had a reasonably good seat at the back of the circle, with an excellent view of the percussion - the Mahler was heavy on percussion, with four percussionists in addition to the timpani. In fact., I had a generally good view of the orchestra, which I like, because I like to watch as well as listen to the interaction between the instruments. It lacked the upfront and personal feel of Fairfield Hall stalls.
I was relieved to note that the audience spanned the age groups far more sensibly than the one last week. There were a lot of twenty-somethings, and a large school party, as well as retirees.
The Grieg is a great concerto that hangs together all the way through, and is dramatic, lyrical and lively. The Mahler starts well, then gets a bit ponderous, before moving into the Adagietto, which is very well known and rather beautiful and builds to a splendid finale.
Update : Look what I found on Amazon - a new CD where Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's and Schumann's piano concerti. Considering that the versions I have of these were bought, on vinyl, in my teens, and have been recorded onto a tape that must be below prime condition, I have just added this to my wishlist.
Guardian Review of CD.
