A Language the whole world understands

Today Catie and I went to a music lunchtime concert! I was very excited about it, as I've been really missing the sound of my (or any) cello or stringed instrument, and was delighted the other day to arrive at a metro station where there was a small string orchestra performing. 

When Granny came out in October, she bombarded me with several newspaper cuttings and information sheets (anyone who knows her will understand the true meaning of 'bombard'!), including a program sheet of lunchtime concerts put on by the The ECOLE NORMALE DE MUSIQUE (founded in 1919 by the famous pianist Alfred Cortot). The school (probably equivalent of Birmingham Conservatoire etc) has lunchtime concerts every Tuesday and Thursday for students (of 'diplôme supérieur') and music professors to perform to the public (free admission). 


Fortunately Catie and I share similar interests, so we were both pretty excited! Unfortunately I didn't enjoy today's concert so much, as it was dominated by one flautist-professor, and every piece performed included the flute, including a bass flute which looked more like part of a Hoover accessory. However, I can finally admit that I've finally heard someone play actually PLAY a guitar, and that those instruments can do more than play the bass line to a done-to-death rock song. It was good, and just being in the Art Deco concert hall brought back all those endearing memories of my performing days. Ahh. I sound like a circus horse, but it was always nice being on a big floor-boarded stage with grand piano behind me and a (very scary and judgmental-looking) audience in a curve in front of me. 

So, it's definitely something I'll do again - particularly if it's every Tuesday and Thursday, and gets me out of this house. I have a new program of all the December concerts, so hope to get in on some cello-action! :)


Meanwhile, Catie and I decided that Harry Potter is definitely the thing to do this Thursday morning. Expelliarmus, Expecto Patronum and all that jazz.