This afternoon was Michael Collins with sidekicks playing clarinet trios.
Brahms won over Beethoven.
Tonight was a very privileged experience. The Felicity Lott/Ann Murray
concert had to be cancelled cos Felicity was ill. So I missed out on the two
Dames enjoying the Cats duet.
But the replacement was Ian Bostridge singing Die schone Mullerin. A
wonderful experience especially live. There is a quality to his voice I find
out of this world. The Winterreise CD I bought some months ago doesnt really
demonstrate his quality. I see from AmazonUK that tonights work is only
available as an expensive Japanese import. But to hear him at his absolute
best tonight was a great privilege. The accompaniest was Graham Johnson of
Schubert fame.
I thought as I listened that the story I was listening to was the story of
my life.
But sad news...I was sitting beside some of the Trustees of the Mozartfest
and the information is that the bequest which funds it (a million pounds)
will run out in two years and unless fresh funds are found it will cease.
With the dumbingdown of the summer International Festival the Mozartfest is
by far the best music festival in Bath so it will be a disaster if it cant
continue. But this is happening to classical music across the world.
Both todays concerts were recorded by the BBC for broadcasting in December,
I think.
But a privileged night for such a great experience.
Douglas Clark, Bath, Somerset, England ....
http://www.dgdclynx.plus.com
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