Saturday, 4 February 2012

Mozart concert, Spitalfields

Location: Christ church Spitalfields, London

This is a shift away from exhibitions and established locales to a concert hosted at the Christ church in Spitalfields, London.

The event was a classical orchestra, the London Arts Orchestra, giving a performance of Mozart.
The venue itself is an example of some of London's interesting history. Built in 1714 as one of the 'Commissioner's churches'. Wikipedia gives a more detailed account of the church, but it is safe to assume that everything, from the outside, to the interior decoration remains as it was, kept well maintained by the Anglican church. The church is noticeable from quite far away as the height of its steeple towers over the surrounding buildings. The front is like that of many Anglican churches, with a grey stone facade, a front portico with columns lining either side, leading a visitor up the steps to the front doors.
Inside the scene changes entirely, from grey to vista mostly of rich whites and dark wood colours. While most of the walls are painted white, all along the lower walls around the sides, and the bases of the inner columns are pannelled in dark wood, like mahogany.

The view near enough to where the author was sitting.Main vista through the front door
The main hall is a splendid example of what looks more like a symphony hall, the columns lining the sides, rich decoration adorns every inch of the view. Across the hall, a large crafted beam frames the far end, with just the altar and a generous area around it behind. The altar itself is a fine piece of work, consisting of a dark wood frame around three paintings, the left showing what appears to be a spray of fire, the middle is a stormy scene with a fork of lightning going through it. The right side is of a more serene, a cloudy sunset, or sunrise, in bright orange hues. Note: It appears from other images of the venue that these paintings are not necessarily part of the normal decoration for the altar but are just for the concert.

On to the music, the first act was a selection of calm tunes, with half an orchestra consisting of strings. Particularly the two leads, one violin, one viola, producing a wonderful feeling through the music, and the hall itself displaying its amazing sound carrying design that makes the scene all the more appropriate. The only thing that really spoiled the scene was a bright presentation screen on the side that flickers and distracts one from the music.
Later the music got faster and more jovial, the deeper sounds reverberating through the walls to reach the listener. This builds up slowly to conclude the first half of the concert.

The second half began with a memorable piece, utilising a now full orchestra consisting of more strings, percussions, and wind instruments. The build up was fast paced, producing an amazing sensation before falling back down to quieter movements. This rising and falling marks the majority of this half of the concert, with pieces blending in to others with few actual pauses in between.
In the writing of this, the author realised that strangely the music obliterates all that preceded it, leaving only a sensation and emotion of the pieces before.

It is also of note that clapping before the end gives the feeling of isolation and of being a temporary center of attention.

As the second half proceeds, the finale makes itself apparent by its delicate start, building up slowly this time before reaching what sounds like a triumphant march, moving faster in beat before reaching a crescendo and building down to almost inaudible levels at the very end.

This is an example of other types of events that occur in London, should one be fortunate enough to hear about them. Almost spontaneous, all one needs to do is turn up. It gives one a free pass to enjoy an almost underground scene in cultural performances, and should be encouraged by more people.

Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and a Google image search.

No comments:

Post a Comment