Music. An art in one form or another for the past 35,000 years. Nowadays, many of us can enjoy our favourite genre from the comfort of our phones. A wide range of music available at a few taps and swipes makes the prospect of traveling to a concert seem wholly unnecessary, and for those who do frequent concerts, I imagine a classical concert isn’t a usual on the menu. However, On Thursday 23rd November 2023, I attended Lang Lang’s and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance and walked away profoundly changed.
Once a heavy sceptic of the proposed joys of classical music, I first thought it to be the backing track of the elderly as they faded away into the annuls of history. However, a discovery of classical piece I had heard many times (Lacrimosa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), and I slowly developed a palate for the genre as a whole. A concert was the only next step!
So, I chose Lang Lang. A pianist world renowned for his electric performance style and almost impeccable showmanship, both of which were on full display on the night. Backed by Gina Alice, Lang Lang’s wife, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the program included a broad range of classical concert pieces, but had a keen focus on two immortal Saint-Saëns works: Piano Concerto No.2 and The Carnival of the Animals.
The concert was held inside the historic Royal Albert Hall ‘Auditorium’. Large sells it short. The hall had an air of grandiose, inexplicable to me even now upon reflection: the ceiling covered in marvellous acoustic diffusing discs to reflect all the sound to the ears of the enjoyers; the seats stretching far and wide; the hues of the stage ebbing from vibrant reds for intense builds ups into soft and subtle blues for gentle movements and the history of the building all seeped into the magic of the performance truly creating a night to remember for years to come. If you enjoy music of any kind, a concert is the best way to express your love for the genre!
