Friday, May 29, 2009

The Schedule

 

Eight concerts so far this May and a busy June + July ahead!

1 June — Ondine (The Royal Ballet)

3 June — Third Day

9 June — Piotr Anderszewski

16 June — James Blood Ulmer

23 June — Dredg

27 June — Michael Franti and Spearhead

30 June — Maria Joáo Pires (Philharmonia Orchestra)

1 July — Lenny Kravitz

8 July — Social Distortion

20 July — U2

21 July — U2

24 July — U2

25 July — U2

Joy


Aldo Ciccolini turns 84 in August. A master interpretor of French piano works, Ciccolini took the stage at Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday night with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the London Philharmonic's rising star guest conductor, trailing behind respectfully. Most artists struggle to maintain their mastery late into their lives; if you closed closed your eyes as Ciccolini began his performance you heard the notes of a virtuoso in his prime.

On the plate for the elder pianist was Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, an effortlessly resonant work composed at the piano as Rachmaninoff worked his way out of a sustained period of depression.

I hardly consider myself to possess a trained ear for classical music, but it was hard to deny the magic that emanated from Ciccolini's piano. Following three encores (no less standing ovations—hard to come by in this city), Ciccolini returned to the stage, took his place in front of the piano and capped off his performance with a stirring rendition of Schubert's Kupelwieser Waltz.

As the audience shuffled out of the auditorium the handkerchiefs and napkins were out in full force; Ciccolini brought the Royal Festival Hall, and me, to tears.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Hand in Hand

Civilized Britain:


Uncivilized Britain:

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Eisenhower in Grosverner Square

There ought not be a prouder moment for Americans in London than the sight of the monument honoring Presdient Dwight D. Eisenhower. Next to the American Embassey at Grosverner Square rises the figure of Gen. Eisenhower, leader of Alllied Forces against one of the world's most formidable enemies.

Challenged. Matched. Defeated.

Only 60 or so years ago the future of the world was in jeopardy. Can you believe that?! We grieve about the war in Iraq and some sweat over the fear of terrorists occasionally targetting a few hundred folks in isolated incidents; imagine an enemy around every corner, and what seemed like a never-ending wave of tanks, bombers, and soldiers conquering France, breaking down the door in Russia, and relentlessy bombing the city of London. Entire cities were destroyed and death tolls were in the millions.

Gen. Eisenhower rose to the occasion and guided the armies of the freedom-loving world to victory in one of the greatest of wars in history.


If I never return again to pay proper thanks:

Mr. Eisenhower, thank you.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Here Comes the Rain

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tamil Protests at Parliament: It's Gettin Noisy

I've gotten used to the sounds of Tamil protestors outside work for the past two and a half weeks, but yesterday a few thousand broke through police barricades and shut down traffic around Parliament for most of the day.

Off to work! Eager to see what the scene is like outside today...

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Notting Hill, Swans, and a Leaked Album

I spent the better part of today reclining in Kensington Gardens with my headphones and the leak of the brilliant new album by California prog-rockers Dredg. Aside from the endlessly entertaining sight of small children feeding bread to beefy British swans, the melody of "Quotes" and the haunting bass groove of "Down to the Seller" have laid the foundation of a Saturday worth remembering.

London has been magnificent so far. Friends from work, a few friends from the flat, and such a lively scene at the pubs at night...how lucky.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

14 Sunsets, 84 More


And as the brightness drains from the sky the buildings themselves light up. Energy moves from storefronts to apartments, and underground clubs, rooftop terraces, and hidden restaurants fill up. All the while the busses run past 24/7. Even if I've passed out on occasion, not to make a noise, they keep chugging along, letting out a burst of steam as the breaks release and they continue down Oxford St.

The 14th sunrise is just around the corner.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Most Eventful Walk to Work

The morning commute to work (The Central line to Bond St. connecting to the Jubilee line to Westminster) is exciting enough, but as I rounded the Treasury building this morning I couldn't help but see:



 


Keep up the good work, London!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The View (Work Edition)

Out the window from #1 Parliament Street.
Not bad, I say!

Back to TOP