A fantastic performance

Yesterday Andrea and I went to this performance at the Cadogan Hall, off Sloane Square in London. I am writing it up because it was so great.

I have been to many a classical concert and they are always good, even if the music is not outstanding or the performers are aloof. At least they are classical concerts and it is always something of an occasion. We spotted this event at the last minute and I suggested we go because the line-up of music was outstanding. I believe Sinfonia Concertante is one of Mozart’s finest compositions, a soaring piece which one realises is excellent from the very first listen. I had seen the word “Haffner” also and assumed we would also be hearing the Haffner Serenade (each movement of which is great) but instead we had Symphony No. 35.

All pieces were good, but Sinfonia Concertante stood out. We decided to sit on the balcony, above the stage, and I can highly recommend this location as it is not only cheaper than some other seats but it provides a great view of the musicians and their sheet music. From this angle we were able to observe the pianist’s fingers moving and almost felt as if we were among the orchestra. The acoustics also did not seem to suffer.

I had never heard of lead violinist Lawrence Power. Suffice it to say that at certain points during his virtuoso performance our jaws dropped and Andrea and I merely looked at each other. The man was entirely at one with his violin and played it with gusto and confidence, creating fantastic music. He actually smiled as he played, and rarely even looked at the music, instead looking around at his fellow musicians, as if both encouraging and acknowledging them. His partner in the fantastic interplay of the lead violins was Stephanie Gonley, and she played with great accomplishment, though without quite the sheer zest of Power, it seemed to me.

After this unbelievable performance, which we observed at close quarters, I nearly fell of my seat when I thought it was the same man coming out again to take lead piano for Mozart’s Concerto in B Flat K.456. It wasn’t him, but was the equally accomplished Igor Levit, who proceeded to give a brilliant performance, followed by Fur Elise as an encore. He also came across as a very likable person, smiling and, of course, really feeling the music.

There is a reason why the famous classics are famous, and it’s because they are the best. It’s great to hear pieces like this performed, and performed so well. This was £10 well spent.