MrsM at the Royal Festival Hall

Danjulo Ishizaka

Prokofiev
Symphony-Concerto in E minor for cello and orchestra

So...I have got over the bit where I obsess about the conductor's ponytail and wonder if it was a style decision or an indication that he could not find time to go to the hairdresser. I have also considered whether the French Horn players really do look like Groucho, Harpo and Zappo - they do, discussion over. Now I am having an in depth analysis of the violinists. Should I reconsider my personal ban on black patent shoes? The violinist in the front row does not look like the Queen in hers although it has to be said that they are 4" heels and that the Queeen does not wear a backless tuxedo. Should I grow my hair and have blonde highlights like the violinist in the second row? What about growing my fringe out like the violinist in the back row?

But wait...
what is this...
the guest cellist is leaving the stage mid solo...
what has happened??

Has he got bored?
Does he want to watch the news?
Has he forgotten to switch off his mobile?

Five minutes later he comes back onto the stage, and has a chat with the conductor. What are they talking about? Have they agreed that the work is too long and decided to cut half an hour out of the middle section? It is all very strange. I find myself entranced by the cellist...he is very young and has geek chic nailed down. The glasses! The hair with side parting! And he is wearing a rain coat on stage!! Perhaps he has to leave early to catch a train. He attacks the cello with dramatic energy and the whole thing is over very quickly.

I turn to the person beside me who is a senior manager for the orchestra.

To my horror, I realise that he is expecting me to make a critical analysis of the music.

I shake my head..
and in a low and serious voice I say..
"Such a thing, imagine!"
and to my huge relief
this cryptic comment is acceptable
and he replies in a low and serious voice
"I know, it was marvellous, wasn't it!"