The Well-Tempered Afternoon

We're in London, continues...

Yesterday afternoon we went to a concert at The Royal Festival Hall by one of my favorite pianists ever, Angela Hewitt playing J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2. OMFG!

She was amazing. I have all her cd's and have admired her for many years. In fact, of my three favorite pianists currently recording the Beethoven Sonatas (Andras Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida, Angela Hewitt), hers is my favorite. Her J.S. Bach is extraordinary and her Couperin is amazing and, wait, all her recordings are fabulous so go get them.

Our friend Mary invited us to the concert but then had to travel (wah) so Eliza, John and I went. It is so fun going to the Royal Festival Hall which is just a 15 minute walk from our house over Waterloo Bridge.

The concert: Wow! There were many spine-tingling moments. As all my friends know, I am a Bach fanatic (e.g. the wall-o-Bach). To hear the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2 live is an awesome experience and Angela Hewitt was astonishing. I was amazed that she played it all from memory. Super-wow! The amount of energy it took to perform the whole thing is impressive and her nuanced interpretation was exquisite. I was verklempt many times throughout her performance.

Mary had told me that she would arrange for me to meet Angela Hewitt after the concert. What? Meet her? What do you mean? What?! Indeed, before the concert we hooked up with Frieda and Vern who are friends of Mary's who we've also known for a few years now (they've come to our house concerts) and it turns out they know Angela Hewitt and have worked with her. OMG. So, after the concert Vern, Eliza and I got in line while she signed cd's and when it was our turn she greeted Vern warmly who then introduced me to her. She was charming. I gushed my admiration which I'm sure she's heard a zillion times before and she was gracious and lovely. I hadn't gotten anything for her to sign but Vern surprised me by getting me one of her Souvenir Programmes and had her sign it for me. Eliza took a quick photo, a very quick photo (well done, Eliza!) because the line was very long and I didn't want to hold it up. I think that for her to sit there after such a demanding performance and meet her fans is extraordinary and I admire her even more.

What an amazing afternoon. Thank you Mary, Eliza, Frieda and Vern for giving me such a memorable and incredibly meaningful musical experience!

Comments

[kirstyhawkshaw]

Wow i am jealous! I was in a nightclub lastnight surrounded by young hot men.. I must come to one of these more 'mature' nights, I'm exhausted!! Classical music and champagne is definately where it's at in my 40's (next year yikes)

love u see u in a bit xxx