Last classical concert you went to
Romeo and Juliet performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia at the Anvil, Basingstoke. I'm not a great ballet enthusiast but I did enjoy the costumes and fabulous dancing. For me, though, the music of Prokofiev is wonderful and I revelled in the sound of the small-ish orchestra playing superbly and with some incredible crescendi - I wish I had my SPL meter to measure it but they must have gone well over 100dB on a few occasions. A great night out and good to see provincial touring companies like this visit little old Basingstoke.
Prom: Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3, Dupre, Bridge, BBC Welsh SO
The BBC Welsh SO were absolutely peerless last night, with superb timing, a great brass section (so important with this symphony) and excellent pace and emphasis from the French conductor Francoise-Xavier Roth. In fact, I could find no fault with them and they were easily a match for any of the big three London orchestras.
The less said about the obligatory new composition, the better. Why is it that so many composers insist on producing this atonal and dissonant nonsense?
The Albert Hall's organ was built for the Saint-Saens, and yet Thomas Trotter, the organist, was careful to set the instrument at a level where the orchestra were not overwhelmed. Again, the playing was superb and the overall sound sumptuous and thrilling. Of the three times I've heard this symphony live, this was easily the best played and interpreted. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert.