Russian reverence...

Scarily good: Valery Gergiev

SHOSTAKOVICH & GUBAIDULINA

LSO, Valery Gergiev
Barbican, 27 November 2011

It is always a pleasure to see Valery Gergiev returning to his roots with an all-Russian programme.  This time, he was conducting Sofia Gubaidulina's In tempus praesens (In the present time) and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.

Anne-Sophie Mutter looked radiant as she took to the stage for In tempus praesens – Gubaidulina's second violin concerto, dedicated to Mutter.  The 30-minute single-movement work presents the audience with an extraordinary sound world: an orchestra devoid of violins (except the soloist) yet enhanced by a harpsichord and a variety of percussion instruments - including a giant gong, which leaves your ears ringing every time it's struck.  Mutter showed skill and dexterity, particularly in the cadenza, which was played magnificently.


Gergiev and the orchestra really seemed in their element in the second half.  The first movement of Shostakovich 10 was filled with passion and pathos, while the fiery second movement was never in danger of rushing with Gergiev on the podium.  The brass section were on fine form throughout the work and there were some achingly beautiful solos from the woodwind (including a brilliant piccolo duet).  The piece built in dramatic tension through the eerily upbeat third movement to a breathtaking finish at the end of the fourth.  A masterful performance from Gergiev and the LSO.

INTERESTING FACT:  Shostakovich was a football fanatic.

Lunar literature...

Bearded brilliance: Wilkie Collins

THE MOONSTONE
by Wilkie Collins


The Moonstone is thought to be one of the first detective novels ever written in English.  So without dear old Wilkie Collins we might not have had Sherlock, Marple or Poirot.  However the genre is a familiar to us nowadays - we are not surprised by the long list of suspects, the red herrings or the celebrated investigator.  Yet reading The Moonstone, almost 150 years after it was written, it still feels fresh.


The book revolves around the theft of an Indian diamond called the Moonstone.  The story is told by different narrators (a method also used in his earlier novel, The Woman in White) all telling the tale from their own unique point of view.  This clever plot device stems from Collins' legal background – in court, various witnesses are called to shed light on a crime.


Collins also drew on his personal experience of opium addiction when creating the character of Ezra Jennings – a doctor's assistant who's got an unusual looks and suffers from an incurable illness.  He takes opium to help control the pain, just like Collins did to relieve his arthritis.


The flowery 19th century language used in The Moonstone can feel long-winded at times, but it never feels tiresome.  Beautiful and humourous descriptions really enhance this book and make you increasingly eager to find out who the culprit was.  Naturally, Collins keeps you hanging right until the last few pages!


INTERESTING FACT:  Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens were life-long friends.

A Marilyn moment...

Blonde bombshell: Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Playing a screen goddess such as Marilyn Monroe is no mean feat, so credit to Michelle Williams for such a nuanced performance as the troubled young actress on her first trip to England.  The film’s based on the diaries of Colin Clark – a lowly assistant on the set of The Prince And The Showgirl.  He shared a magical time with Marilyn while she was in England shooting the movie in the summer of 1956.


Michelle could very easily have stolen the show with this film, had it not been for her excellent co-stars.  Kenneth Branagh delivers a thrilling performance as Sir Laurence Olivier, while Dame Judi Dench sparkles (quite literally given all her jewellery) as Dame Sybil Thorndike.  Eddie Redmayne gives a touching portrayal of Colin Clark – with Emma Watson making a delightful return to the screen as his sweetheart, Lucy.  Plus, Zoe Wannamaker has some seriously super specs – so keep an eye out for them!

INTERESTING FACT: Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson but baptised and raised as Norma Jeane Baker.