Classical Concerts

Tonight, back at last with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for Mahler's Resurrection, at the Royal Festival Hall. My sometime companion from Up in the Cheap Seats wanted a suggestion for something for the afternoon, though - so we also booked for an organ recital, at the same venue beforehand.

She messaged me when she got there, nearly an hour early - she'd positioned herself in The Archduke, for their live music. Unfortunately, the bus I got on ended up stopped in one of those really sluggish runs of traffic - I was going to be another half hour, as I said, there was no point in my coming there. Instead, when I arrived - hungry - I made for the Southbank Centre's food fair, on today, where as soon as I saw someone advertising chicken katsu curry, I was hooked. Didn't take long for me to be served and eat - whereupon I checked my phone, saw she was in the concert hall, and joined her there. With plenty of space, the guy beside me decided to move further up - we were very close to the stage - and she took his seat.

The performer - Carol Williams - bounded onstage in a sparkly pair of trousers that, happily, were able to take her hopping over and back across the organist's bench; she did want to keep chatting to us, you see! Very interactive performer, actually, with quite the sense of humour - she introduced most of the pieces, and before one, explained that we were either going to love it or hate it, but she was going to play it..

Now, I didn't take to all the pieces that were played - although I did like the piece after which the performance was named: Mad Rush, by Philip Glass, which, as she explained, demonstrated the range of the organ. Throughout, we were treated to a light show projected onto the pipes:

The show lasted for an hour or so - and was very enjoyable! Afterwards, with some time to kill - and my companion hungry - we headed, at her suggestion, to the nearby Las Iguanas. I'd never been before.. It was busy, but we managed to get a table without too much trouble - inside; it was far too cold to sit outside!

We shared a bottle of wine - they have a decent selection, well-priced - and with neither of us wanting a main meal, we each had a side. I had garlic bread, which was burnt, but ok; she had sweet potato fries, which she loves. Mind you, it wasn't enough to satisfy her - they didn't have the one starter she fancied, though. We might have ordered desserts, but try getting service! We ended up getting the bill instead.

Met two of the others in the group, back at the hall, before we took our seats. We were further back, this time - and apparently, the performance was sold out!

Packed in the audience - packed on stage too, with all choir spaces taken, the Philharmonic - and there were to be two solo singers as well. They threw all they had at this, Mahler's Second Symphony. I wasn't at all familiar with it - but wow, honestly, I have never experienced a musical moment as breathtaking as the drum crescendos in this. Sheer majesty, in all - most of us gathered for a drink afterwards, and as someone said, wow, how did Mahler come to write such a work of sheer self-confidence? Well, they did it justice tonight - and you couldn't but join in the standing ovation after. Glad to have experienced it.

Tomorrow, delighted to be with Buddies on a Budget in London - rarely do I get the chance - for the Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival, at the Guildhall!

And on Monday, I'm with London Baroque Music Lovers for a chamber music concert at Wigmore Hall.