What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)

[ultralinear]

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I didn't know those Weinberg quartets — amazing — and the playing was spectacular. Plus, those Prokofiev encores!

It was a remarkable experience - the tension during the Weinbergs was almost unbearable, by the end of the 15th one hardly dared breathe.

This series has been the pinnacle of my concert-going lifetime.  All told, including travelling, it's cost me more than 700 quid and 60 hours of my life, and I can't think of a better way to spend it.  But it does kind of ruin you for more everyday events.  Like, back in the 80s, I heard Rozhdestvensky conduct a Rite of Spring that was so devastating, for the next 10 years I couldn't bear to hear another performance, either live or recorded - for as long as even a trace of the memory persisted, I didn't want anything to overwrite it.  I doubt I'll ever bother with another Shostakovich cycle, and I don't suppose I'll get the chance of another Weinberg - but even if I did I would be in two minds about it.  They are extraordinary works, even in comparison with the Shostakovich - it amazes me that none of the concerts was anything like a sellout, people should be beating down the doors to hear these - but I wouldn't want the memory of what I've heard to be tarnished by an indifferent performance in the future.  The Danels may not have the swagger of some outfits but in this material they're pretty well untouchable - if you ever get the chance in concert, don't hesitate.

[Iota]

It was a remarkable experience - the tension during the Weinbergs was almost unbearable, by the end of the 15th one hardly dared breathe.

This series has been the pinnacle of my concert-going lifetime.  All told, including travelling, it's cost me more than 700 quid and 60 hours of my life, and I can't think of a better way to spend it.  But it does kind of ruin you for more everyday events.  Like, back in the 80s, I heard Rozhdestvensky conduct a Rite of Spring that was so devastating, for the next 10 years I couldn't bear to hear another performance, either live or recorded - for as long as even a trace of the memory persisted, I didn't want anything to overwrite it.  I'll doubt I'll ever bother with another Shostakovich cycle, and I don't suppose I'll get the chance of another Weinberg - but even if I did I would be in two minds about it.  They are extraordinary works, even in comparison with the Shostakovich - it amazes me that none of the concerts was anything like a sellout, people should be beating down the doors to hear these - but I wouldn't want the memory of what I've heard to be tarnished by an indifferent performance in the future.  The Danels may not have the swagger of some outfits but in this material they're pretty well untouchable - if you ever get the chance in concert, don't hesitate.

Great review, it sounds extraordinary! Such intense live experiences are surely one of life's greatest treasures, and it's really good to hear of yours!
The Wigmore Hall is probably my favourite venue for chamber music and recitals. Indeed, the most life-changing piano recital I've ever attended took place there in the 80s with Peter Serkin . Such a great acoustic too.

[ultralinear]

The Wigmore Hall is probably my favourite venue for chamber music and recitals. Indeed, the most life-changing piano recital I've ever attended took place there in the 80s with Peter Serkin . Such a great acoustic too.

Couldn't agree more.

The real miracle of Wigmore Hall is the Director, John Gilhooly.  I really don't know how he does it - day after day, one world-class performer after another - 600 events a year, most with a top ticket price of only £40.  And still he finds time to mingle with the audiences, many of whom are greeted like old friends.  Recently he gave a newspaper interview to celebrate having raised enough money privately to be able finally to forgo government funding and all that that entailed.  It was followed a couple of days later in the same paper by a remarkably ungenerous letter from Arts Council England, pouring scorn on Wigmore Hall for its "millionaire supporters."  Yeah right.

[Cato]

Later this month, Verdi's Requiem and then a Renee Fleming recital of orchestral songs with the Cincinnati Symphony.


https://mayfestival.com/concerts-and-events/buy-tickets/2025-season/verdi-requiem/


https://mayfestival.com/concerts-and-events/buy-tickets/2025-season/voice-of-nature-the-anthropocene/

[brewski]

It was a remarkable experience - the tension during the Weinbergs was almost unbearable, by the end of the 15th one hardly dared breathe.

This series has been the pinnacle of my concert-going lifetime.  All told, including travelling, it's cost me more than 700 quid and 60 hours of my life, and I can't think of a better way to spend it.  But it does kind of ruin you for more everyday events.  Like, back in the 80s, I heard Rozhdestvensky conduct a Rite of Spring that was so devastating, for the next 10 years I couldn't bear to hear another performance, either live or recorded - for as long as even a trace of the memory persisted, I didn't want anything to overwrite it.  I'll doubt I'll ever bother with another Shostakovich cycle, and I don't suppose I'll get the chance of another Weinberg - but even if I did I would be in two minds about it.  They are extraordinary works, even in comparison with the Shostakovich - it amazes me that none of the concerts was anything like a sellout, people should be beating down the doors to hear these - but I wouldn't want the memory of what I've heard to be tarnished by an indifferent performance in the future.  The Danels may not have the swagger of some outfits but in this material they're pretty well untouchable - if you ever get the chance in concert, don't hesitate.

Thank you for this beautiful write-up. This is the kind of experience that explains "why we listen." I was not familiar with these two Weinberg quartets, and how amazing they are. Even placed next to the great Shostakovich 14th, they hold their own, and I wouldn't be surprised if some listeners were more moved by the first part of the program.

In any case, a great concert, which I'm glad to see is still up for repeat viewing. And PS, totally agree with your comments on John Gilhooly. His energy and dedication are a wonder.

[Brian]

Thirding (at least) the people on this page who have a life-changing concert memory from Wigmore Hall. It really is a special place.

[ultralinear]

This is the kind of experience that explains "why we listen."

Yes.  Exactly.

[ritter]

Even I, who have very little affinity with the music of Shostakovich or Weinberg, was moved by how @ultralinear described what was clearly a unique experience.

[Florestan]

Couldn't agree more.

The real miracle of Wigmore Hall is the Director, John Gilhooly.  I really don't know how he does it - day after day, one world-class performer after another - 600 events a year, most with a top ticket price of only £40.  And still he finds time to mingle with the audiences, many of whom are greeted like old friends.  Recently he gave a newspaper interview to celebrate having raised enough money privately to be able finally to forgo government funding and all that that entailed.  It was followed a couple of days later in the same paper by a remarkably ungenerous letter from Arts Council England, pouring scorn on Wigmore Hall for its "millionaire supporters."  Yeah right.

What's wrong with millionaires supporting arts, I wonder?