I’m doing a bit of a follow-up to a story I recounted about a month ago. Here is the original post if you’ve forgotten it, missed it, or are new to this blog (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to See James Rhodes). I really should be embarrassed about this story but my stupidity, in this case, amuses me. I prefer to laugh at the really silly mistakes I make. Getting mad or upset or embarrassed to the point of hiding something makes life far more stressful and far less fun. So feel free to give that post a read. Please laugh at the first section, at least, then come back and let me give you the update. No worries; I’ll wait…
Okay, just to make sure we are all on the same page (or if you didn’t have time to read the other post)…A month ago I was meant to see classical pianist, James Rhodes, playing at a West End theatre. I absentmindedly ended up seated in the theatre next door watching a performance of Agatha Christie’s, The Mousetrap. My bizarre mistake was remedied at the interval and I was able to see the final section of Mr Rhodes performance.
Fast forward one month, nearly to the day, I got a second chance to see him play. Yep, the music gods saw fit to have him perform again in London. I will confess that I almost hopped on a train to see him in a different city a few days after the original debacle but I decided if I can get lost in London, a city I’ve lived in for 8 months, than who knows what trouble I’d get into in a town I’ve never been to.
This is where I get to redeem myself. I know you’re hoping for an amusing story about how I managed to get lost and ended up in a different theatre yet again. That’s what I’d want to read right now because that would be a great story. And if this was a work of fiction, I promise you I’d write you a great narrative.
However, I must apologise for disappointing you, because I made it to the venue with not one wrong turn. It may help that it wasn’t held at a West End venue this time. It also helps that this venue was next door to The Guardian/Observer newspaper headquarters. Even I can notice the difference between a performing arts venue and a newspaper office (although I should have popped into The Guardian and applied for a job). When I found my seat, this time around, I can happily report that there was a beautiful Steinway piano on stage. Woot woot! I was in the right place!
I will restrain myself and not gush about the performance except to say that it was phenomenal, brilliant, inspiring, and educational. James Rhodes did say something that made me think a little about last week’s post. He talked about how classical music is full of dialogue. I loved that. I think in my continuing exploration to see how feelings/emotions are expressed sans words I’m going to start listening for that dialogue in the music.
Now I’m going to leave you with something to listen to. I’ve never attempted to share music before but this piece is one of my favourites. It was also the first piece played at the concert yesterday. I’m always struck by how a piece of music can sound so sad yet so joyful at the same time. I hope you enjoy.
Marcello-Bach Oboe Concerto Adagio performed by James Rhodes (this is on SoundCloud which has a Share option, so I’m fairly confident that it’s legal to share)
On My Mind 