The Forum, University of Westminster, Harrow
Templated architecture and repetitive patterns in “Metro-Land” at the School of Media, Arts and Design of The Uni of Westminster's Northwick Park site.
Prom 60 - Bernard Haitink, Emanuel Ax and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
A great Proms moment and the end of an era: Bernard Haitink applauds Emanuel Ax and the Vienna Philharmonic after playing Beethoven together for probably the last time at the Proms
I had to ask and look to check whether the piano tonight was the Albert Hall’s usual Steinway Grand because Emanuel Ax played the opening run so delicately it could have been a forte-piano. This was the tone of his performance throughout, ethereal, great delicacy, precision and charm. Hardly a hint of Sturm und Drang.
Maybe my mood was set by seeing the veteran conductor Bernard Haitink walk on stage to cheers from the audience, face beaming though walking with all the difficulty of a maestro now in his ninetieth year; tonight’s interpretation of the Beethoven Fourth Piano Concerto struck me as much with pathos as with beauty.
Emanuel Ax played softly and delicately, straining the concentration of the audience, seemingly pulling us in to the world of two musicians who have made great music together many many times but who both know this is coming to an end. We were privileged to hear piano playing at the other end of the experience spectrum to “Young Musician”: clarity of interpretation, depth, serenity and poise.
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Wild pigeon with Chateau Maurac 2005
Chateau Maurac, 2005, a Cru Bourgeois from St. Seurin de Cadbourne, Haut-Médoc AOC, in Terry’s garden in Preston Park, Brighton to accompany wild pigeon he cooked for us pot-au-feu in a sauce made from myrtilles from Corsica, on a bed of celeriac with green vegetables. The redcurrant flavours of the fine claret complementing the myrtilles from the high mountains and the richness of the meat.
Still more than 25° even as the sun sets and so a fine ending to our August Bank Holiday weekend.
Niederösterreich 5: Skolka play Gumpoldskirchen Weinfest
Wine glasses and white tablecloths set out on tables in the main street of Gumpoldskirchen, Audis and the occasional Ferrari and Maserati parked discretely nearby. Traditional folk singer and fiddle on a small stage. A modern-day and Austrian scene out of Breughel or a set for Die Meistersinger. Next night, the rock band turn up and it all changes. A baccanale with cracking bass and drums, mighty brass and a singer whipping the crowd on to their feet on the cobbled streets: Skolka play Gumpoldskirchen Weinfest.
More photos: Niederösterreich 5: Skolka play Gumpoldskirchen Weinfest
Niederösterreich 3: Schneeberg (2076 m.)
Hiking the summits of the Schneeberg (2076 m), the most easterly mountain of the Alps of more than 2000 metres altitude.
Chihuly at Kew
Dale Chihuly - Sapphire Star (2010)
Dale Chihuly’s glass artworks again grace Kew Gardens amidst the traditional sedate architecture and the newly-restored dragons on the Great Pagoda of 1762
