This afternoon I dragged a headache, several pulled neck muscles and
my ever-collapsing arches to the Lincoln Center for the Chamber Music
Society's "Cultural Connections" programme. I wasn't entirely sure
what the concept was and when I read the description in Playbill, I
was initally horrified at the thought of struggling through a couple
of hungover hours listening to music similar to that emanating from
the Chinese busker in Union Square.
Ha. I had initially thought that the concert consisted entirely of
Philip Glass and so had been disappointed when I saw the list of
traditional Chinese pieces. The Chamber Music Society put together a
delightful afternoon of minimalist asian music. Wu Man was absolutely
amazing and I was shocked at how much I was moved by the pipa which is
not an instrument I had ever payed any attention to before.
The highlight of the afternoon was Tan Dun's Ghost Opera which is a
combination of the pipa, violins, viola and cello with stones and
gongs, splashed water in illuminated bowls and rippled white paper
flowing from the walls. The performers also sang, shouted and faked an
orgasm. Fabulous. I did wince, however, at the sight of Cho-Liang Lin
and Kristina Reiko Cooper (who is stunningly beautiful) smack away
vigorously at the 1734 Guarnerius de Gesu violin, "The Duke of
Camposelice" and a 1786 William Forester cello respectively.
I even managed to stand up for the ovation at the end, despite my
liver failure, and applaud when Tan Dun, the Oscar and Grammy awards
winner himself, stood up in the audience.
Posted by me at 11:38 PM |
No tits is the new black
Scene: Random soho party in artist's loft.
Ex Mistress of some famous artist who liked to fling lots of paint
around: [Excitedly pulling me aside as we were leaving] Oh my God! You
are so flat chested!
Me: Err yes.
ExM: Why?
Me: I don't like surgery?
ExM: How old are you?
Me: 34
ExM: Can't you take hormones?
Me: Errr no I don't need to, thanks.
ExM: Wow it looks so chic on you.
Me: [Utterly bemused] Thanks.
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