Category: Uncategorized

Days of Culture, Days of Fun, Days of Confusion and (of course) Late Bloomers

Days of Culture

It has been a period of time where I saw another West End Production, and revisited an old favorite.

“Punch” is a powerful production about the impacts of youth culture and how one thoughtless act (a punch, thrown in support of one’s group can have a lifetime impact on multiple people and families.

The production included current music, flashing lights and the cutaway” technique of short scenes that changed quickly. The enselble cast was outstanding.

Below are a couple of shots of the Picadilly Circus area near the theatre.

I book the concerts I will see on Sunday mornings and Monday afternoons at Wigmore Hall in early Spring as soon as the booking period for “Friends of Wigmore Hall” opens. In my excitement, or due to the quality of performers, I occasionally book “back to back” Sunday and Monday concerts. That is what happened recently. And, so, only one bouquet is shown because it was there, looking fresh at both the Sunday and Monday performances.

Sunday’s performers were soloists from the Kronberg Academy.

Hana Chang, a brilliant violinist was just one of the performers.

The repetoire included pieces by Robert Schuman, Ernő Dohnányi, and Johannes Brahms.

Mondays performance was, as always recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio. Performing were the Kleio Quartet. Beow is a photo.

Their selections oncluded pieces by Elgar, Webern and Haydn. They played superbly. Elgar is always warmly received by London audiences, but all three of these pieces received laud applause from the audience. It was a truly delightful afternoon of music.

The final bit of culture was a return to my favorite museum, the Victoria and Albert. Here are just two pieces that caught my eye.

Dormer Window from Montal, Dordogne (1523-35)

These rare pieces, hundreds of years old remind us of the rich cultural heritage we all share and through casting and saving pieces through restoration, we have to enjoy today.

Birthday Fun

One of the great things about being in London in early October is the chance to celebrate the birthday of the older of two of my “nearly-grandnieces.” These are the granddaughters of my longest-standing English friends, Nigel and Gwynne and the daughters of their son and daughter-in-law, the amazing accomplished James and Katie. Below is a picture of the venue, a great community space, and a picture I took from my Uber along the way. The party was a wonderful chance to catch up with James and Katie’s extended families and to be reminded of how much noise a bunch of happy, healthy ten year olds can make.

Days of Confusion

I had several roller-coaster days after contacting a few “estate agents,” as real estate agents are known on this side of the pond. I saw one very small efficiency flat and then after a day or two of not expecting to hear further, I got a call from the agency closest to my current rental flat. The agent had a listing in my favorite building and the flat was perfect, a dream come true. My proposed offer was acceptable and I was “on the mountain top. Then came “Death Valley Days” (without Ronald Reagan or Twenty Mule-Team Borax). This was occasioned by a discussion with a mortgage brokerwho oepened my eyes to the ageism and insane taxing process of buying property in England. Basically, if you are an old f*rt, and you are not a UK citizen, bring a full cash offer, or don’t come to the party. It was a “fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy night,” (to quote Bette Davis in “All About Eve.”) kind of experience. But, I learned from it.

Late Bloomers

Flowers keep blooming in the two parks closest to the flat I am staying in. Enjoy.

Bonus Picture

Several weeks ago, when my dear friends Barbara and Kuhrt were in London from Denmark, we had dinner at a charming French restaurant next to Orange Square where this statue of a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “lives.” I forgot to post it at the time.

I have 19 days left on this trip. I hope to have a few more posts.

Drama and Music (and London Life)

Above, the seasonal changes in Russell Square Park. Autumn has started to move into London. Students are back in force in my neighborhood and new faces are appearing as staff at local cafes and restaurants. Unfortunately, the flu or some other bug has laid me low for most of this week, but I am back and feeling beter now. Thanks for waiting.

A Great Theatrical Experience

My friend James works at the Barbican, an arts complex in the City of London. He and his wife and daughters are among my favorite people to visit in London. James invited to see a production called ‘Lacrima,’ at the Barbican’s theatre.

The story takes place in France and India where a French Fashion House is chosen to design a wedding dress for “a princess of England.” The dress will include elements of a fragile Victorian era wedding veil that is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection. The story is told and the actors primarily speak in French (with some Hindi and English). The French is translated on overhead TV monitors that also give closeups of the action at multiple locations. “Woven” into the story is also the tale of the lacemakers from Northern France and bead and precious stone embroiderers in India. The Princess (a fictional character) gives the creators of the gown an unrealistic schedule that unravels along with the lives of some of the main characters. This was a long production (3 hours) that played without an interval. The French theatre company preferred no stoppage, but finally agreed to a 4 minute ‘comfort break.’

The quality of the acting was outstanding, the French language was lyrical and beautiful. The superscript screen translations were not bothersome. This was an evening of pure theatrical pleasure.

More Music at Wigmore Hall

Another pleasant Sunday late morning concert at Wigmore Hall. The music was performed by a talented pair of musicians, Stephen Waarts, violin andElizabeth Brauss, piano.

They played three selections: Schubert’s Rondo in B minor; Schumann’s 3 Romances, Op 94; and Strauss’s Violin Sonaa in E flat.

These young musicians gave a wonderful performance.

London Life

Regular readers of my blog know of my love of London life, be it a cheery wave from a street vendor, a warm welcome in a cafe, or just the incredible experience of the parks. Today, Russell Square unveiled it’s latest Public Sculpture selections. Three pieces by Michael Craig Martin, an Irish conceptual artist who is 84 years young. Three sculpture are placed strategically around the park. Tehy include: “Umbrella,” “Headphones,” and “Bright Idea.” What a great surprise as the Autumn leave continue to fall.

Alms Houses and More Music at Wigmore Hall

Museum of the Home

I always look forward to a trip out with my friends Stewart and Kerri. This time Stu suggested we visit the Museum of the Home in the Hoxton area of London. The museum is located in the Former Geffrye Almshouses, built through a bequest fromSir Robert Geffrye, a merchant, Lord Mayor of London and Master of the Ironmongers Company. Because he had some involvement in transporting enslaved men and women to the British West Indies in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the museum is trying to downplay his name and move a statue that sits above the entrance to the almshouse’s chapel. We had two excellent guides throughout the tour of the almshouses.

Almshouses were built for poor widow (and some men) that were asociated with various trades or guilds who built them. Residents were given very basic furniture and household items in the early years and a small stipend.

Above are some pictures of what the early almshouse room, allocated to a woman or a couple would have looked like.

As time moved forward, the type of person needing the almshouses changed and by the 19th century, housemaids, nurses, former nannies etc., were moving in to somewhat improved conditions.

Below are pictures of the improved later accomodations, including indoor plumbing and clothes washing facilities.

Underneath the row of Almshouses which each contained for “units,” the museum of the home displays typical rooms and furnishing from the 18th through 20th centuries. It too, is worth a visit. Wonderful gardens are also part of the property. Below are some pictures of them.

More Wigmore

Simon Trpcheski, a Macedonian pianist, was appearing for a 25th anniversary of his first appearance at Wigmore Hall. He played Tchaikovsky’s “Autumn Song” from “The Seasons Opus 37a. It was an incredibly beautiful performance of a song that was truly evocative of Autumn. His second piece was Ravel’s “Vaises nobles et sentinentales.” (Noble and Sentimental Waltzes) which was a perfect companion for the first piece. For his third piece, he returned to Tchaikovsky “Nutcracker Suite (arranged by Mikhail Pietnev). It was delightful hearing this familiar away from Christmas. He concluded with two encore pieces that were received with great delight.

Bowie, the V&A East Storehouse, and Trees

David Bowie at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) East Storehouse

Its a journey to the V&A East Storehouse (aka the V&A Annex) from the part of London where I am based. The Annex is located not too far from the Olympic Stadium in East London that is now the home to the West Ham Football Club. This part of the Borough of Hackney is largely filled with new buildings constructed since the last London Olympics. The David Bowie Centre is the home for David Bowie’s archive. I understand that the exxhibit will be a rotating one showing the huge quantity of Bowie costumes, photos, mass media, music, and memorabilia.

After entering the centre, you will see a display of Bowie albums and magazines featuring him.

Next you enter a large rectangular space that includes a huge screen playing Bowie videos. On all sides are display cases of memorabilia.

The whole Bowie experience is condensed in a small space that is still overwhelming to the visitor. The expanse of his career and influence is displayed. There is also a study center adjacent to the exhibit space and a section where museum experts can be seen working and curating the huge collection.

A Taste of the Rest of the V&A East Annex

The Annex is huge “working museum” and serves as a place to store and curate the museum’s huge collection of items that are not currently on display at the V&A in South Kensington, London. As one walks the floors of this building, one sees items like these.

Part of a carved ornate celing from Torrijos, Spain

It is amazing to imagine all of these pieces on display in the main museum. The museum’s collection is rotated from time to time.

Trees

I am obsessed with the huge and mighty trees in two parks near my London abode. There is something very special about sitting under them and enjoying the peace they bring in the middle of a bustling city.