Is it now just the weight of our expectation – or does performing without music really give Aurora’s players extra verve and immediacy? By definition they have to know the music extremely well – to have it embedded in their subconscious – giving them the freedom to focus entirely on its many layers of meaning, its emotional heft. It also adds the spice of danger to their playing. If something goes wrong, no safety net score to fall back on. And adding to that sense of freedom – they are not tied to seats. Not only do they stand to play but they often move around the stage, creating different sound patterns to add yet further complexity to the performance.
Certainly, the audience at the QEH last Wednesday, primed by an introduction by conductor Nicholas Collon and Radio 3’s Tom Service, loved it – on their feet before the last note had died. As with their Rite of Spring last year sections of the orchestra were used in the introduction to illustrate some of Beethoven’s more revolutionary musical ideas – while the audience was recruited to illustrate crucial rhythms. And to heighten our involvement in the piece, when the shouting was over the orchestra returned and filed up the aisles of the QEH to play a short coda and give us, the audience, as Nicholas Collon said, a feeling of what it is like to be right in the middle of an orchestra.
If you want to try out the ‘Aurora experience’ for yourself – they are playing Beethoven’s 9th by Heart at the Proms on August 21st an Stravinsky’s Firebird at King’s Place on October 23rd.
Meanwhile…. Back in Hampstead Lane…
Don’t forget out lunchtime concert at 1pm on Wednesday, May 15th – the first of our Philharmonia MMSF lunchtime concerts with violist Carys Barnes and her Slate Quartet.
Book here or buy a ticket on the door. £15 to include a glass of wine.
We are delighted (for us) and sorry (for you) to say that Declan’s Hickey’s guitar recital on the evening of May 16th is now sold out.
But…. although tickets are selling well, we still have space for:
An evening with Flanders and Swannn on July 8th.
For more on the evening go here – to book go here.
And elsewhere…..
June 11th – Madeleine at at the magnificent Leighton House in Holland Park. More information and book here.
And don’t forget our new Upcoming Events page
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