Mid-Week Arts Update
Fortunately, work has calmed down somewhat and I'm slowly but surely eating away at the edges of all the stuff that I pushed to the side during the 2 and a half weeks of craziness. So that's satisfying if nothing else.
Thought I would also do a quick arts update for you all while I'm at it too:
Last Tuesday (geez has it been that long?) we went to see The Last Confession with David Suchet at the Royal Haymarket. It was a mix of who-dunnit, political satire and religious questioning. Brilliant use of flash backs and multiple narrative lines - the acting was also second to none. It was a cast predominantly of Men-Of-A-Certain-Age (there was one female role - a housekeeper who was also in this age bracket), who all seemed to have hailed from the early days of the RSC. Also, they used the space extremely well, dividing it with these confessional boxes that also resembled jail cells that would move around to create the acting spaces they needed. Exceedingly well done. If you have even a passing interest in the politics of the Roman Catholic Church or like seeing questions of faith played out publically, then I would certainly reccomend seeing it.
Last week's other major event was to see the Kronos Quartet at the Barbican. I'd never seen them live before and was well warned that the music may not be to my liking (atonal and/or minimalist). Due to a friendly match at the Arsenal stadium, we just *barely* made it in time (grrrr). As in, walked through the doors as the lights were dimming. So at least we didn't miss anything. The programme as a nice contrast of two long pieces, which for me pretty much summarise most of late 20th century music. The first one, called The Cusp of Magic was really fantastic. It incorporated the pipa, a chinese instrument, and incorporated it really well; one of the rare times when I've seen a non-Western instrument blend with a string quartet so seamlessly and beautifully. Such a cool texture too. I think this would be one that I would seek out on cd.
The second piece was less thrilling and perhaps everything that is frustrating about minimalism. I think raayat said it best when he said that it was about 20 minutes worth of music stretched into an hour. Not that there weren't intesting moments, but it was such a shame they were so few and far between with nothing to hold my attention in the mean time. Evidently this is the composer's first string quartet in over a decade. . .perhaps it needed more time to percolate.
Over all it was an enjoyable concert and such fun to watch Kronos play together. Will definitely jump at the chance to see them again.
This weekend is going to be quite busy arts wise. Saturday we're off to see Blind Light at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank then rounding off with the Modern Japanese Art exhibit at the British Museum. Then on Sunday we're off to the proms for what looks like a delightful mix of choral and organ music.
I'll leave off here for now and cover other stuff later. There isn't personally very many changes - I register for Birkbeck tonight (eep!) and so then I'll be an official student again. Otherwise, life keeps moving as life does.
Thought I would also do a quick arts update for you all while I'm at it too:
Last Tuesday (geez has it been that long?) we went to see The Last Confession with David Suchet at the Royal Haymarket. It was a mix of who-dunnit, political satire and religious questioning. Brilliant use of flash backs and multiple narrative lines - the acting was also second to none. It was a cast predominantly of Men-Of-A-Certain-Age (there was one female role - a housekeeper who was also in this age bracket), who all seemed to have hailed from the early days of the RSC. Also, they used the space extremely well, dividing it with these confessional boxes that also resembled jail cells that would move around to create the acting spaces they needed. Exceedingly well done. If you have even a passing interest in the politics of the Roman Catholic Church or like seeing questions of faith played out publically, then I would certainly reccomend seeing it.
Last week's other major event was to see the Kronos Quartet at the Barbican. I'd never seen them live before and was well warned that the music may not be to my liking (atonal and/or minimalist). Due to a friendly match at the Arsenal stadium, we just *barely* made it in time (grrrr). As in, walked through the doors as the lights were dimming. So at least we didn't miss anything. The programme as a nice contrast of two long pieces, which for me pretty much summarise most of late 20th century music. The first one, called The Cusp of Magic was really fantastic. It incorporated the pipa, a chinese instrument, and incorporated it really well; one of the rare times when I've seen a non-Western instrument blend with a string quartet so seamlessly and beautifully. Such a cool texture too. I think this would be one that I would seek out on cd.
The second piece was less thrilling and perhaps everything that is frustrating about minimalism. I think raayat said it best when he said that it was about 20 minutes worth of music stretched into an hour. Not that there weren't intesting moments, but it was such a shame they were so few and far between with nothing to hold my attention in the mean time. Evidently this is the composer's first string quartet in over a decade. . .perhaps it needed more time to percolate.
Over all it was an enjoyable concert and such fun to watch Kronos play together. Will definitely jump at the chance to see them again.
This weekend is going to be quite busy arts wise. Saturday we're off to see Blind Light at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank then rounding off with the Modern Japanese Art exhibit at the British Museum. Then on Sunday we're off to the proms for what looks like a delightful mix of choral and organ music.
I'll leave off here for now and cover other stuff later. There isn't personally very many changes - I register for Birkbeck tonight (eep!) and so then I'll be an official student again. Otherwise, life keeps moving as life does.