The Concertgebouw Hall (but not the orchestra). Back in 1974 I went there quite a few times and it is a wonderful concert hall, both visually and for sound. First story. I remember going to hear Pollini in a solo recital and at the end of the performance the elderly woman next to me asked me what I thought. I replied that I was somewhat disappointed and that he didn't appear to be playing well that evening. She pointed out a man a few seats away and told me that he was the Amsterdam music critic and she could tell by the way he sat that he didn't think much of the performance either. Sometimes in life, we have a victory.
About five years ago while we were doing a house exchange in Amsterdam, we went to a concert at the Concertgebouw and if you have some time, take a few minutes to read about my impressions.
http://ratbagp.blogspot.com/2013/06/con ... estra.htmlFinally to the Rach 2 performance. Over 20 years ago I saw Gavrilov play the piece with the Philly Orchestra and Muti conducting. Gavrilov played a lot of wrong notes, but the best part of the piece was the introduction to the second movement where the clarinet makes an appearance. Play the introduction to this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-6ZXsZpCPQThe clarinet starts about 1:10. The recording does not even begin to capture the sound that the man produced from his instrument which curiously reminded me of coffee. His phrasing was unlike anything I had heard before or since.
Sorry for the long message, but this is my real passion in life.
ray