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Posted by Romy the Cat on
05-11-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d It looks like me will be coming to London end of August begin of September. We have B4, B7, and B8 at Proms and whole range of other stimulations coming. I wonder what if any interesting audio experiences I might expect from London?
For instance I would like to hear the Living Voice Vox Olympian. The Definitive Audio is 3 hours from London and they are dealers, means they might not have at the time we might visit then to have Olympian properly setup. I wonder if exist anywhere near London a non-commercial installation of Olympian, not just an installation but properly organized by a smart owner?
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Posted by Purite Audio on
05-12-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Definitive Audio ,home of the VOX are only about one and a half hours North of London, I am sure if you were to contact Kevin he would make sure the VOX were available for your visit.They had a pair playing at the Munich show, their room was just opposite the WE / Silbatone room.Keith.
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
05-12-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Wow, the Definitive Audio is half hours away from London, this is good news. I did look at Google and it said 2.45 Hours but I might look some at something different. We probable will be staging near Royal Abler Hall, which is center city. We are very excited about the Bruckner concerts. The nigh as the Proms tickers hit the public Amy spend 3 hours, constantly clicking and refresh the Proms page in order to enter the queue. We were 6000+ in queue and eventually she was able to go though. The woman does have perseverance….
Any how we booked the following ebe in the Proms’ end:
Mozart / Peter Eotvos / Bruckner on Thursday 29 August 2013 by Philharmonia Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen. This is Bruckner 7, we figured that if we in there then to miss the 7th would be ridicules.
Arvo Part / Britten / Berlioz / Saint Saens on Sunday 1 September 2013 by Orchestre de Paris and Paavo Järvi. I would like to hear the Saint Saens’ organ symphony by French orchestra. Amy is wild about Janine Jansen and she insisted to hear her doing Britten violin concerto.
Tchaikovsky / Szymanowski / Rachmaninov on Monday 2 September 2013 by Oslo Philharmonic and Vasily Petrenko . This is Tchaikovsky 6 and I probably would not go there but Amy with absolute love to the Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.
Proms Chamber Music on Monday 2 September 2013 at Cadogan Hall on 1:00PM. This is not my concert at all. It is some kind of medieval lute and Amy loves it. She does have some addition to medieval culture, well her undergraduate degree was medieval culture and this is purely her concert.
Beethoven / Bruckner on Tuesday 3 September 2013 by Oslo Philharmonic and Vasily Petrenko. Bruckner 4 with Petrenko and “northern” orchestra. Will see how it goes.
Bach / Bruckner on Friday 6 September 2013. This is it. This is the musical punch line of the trip. The first part is full of Bach played by present-day organist at from St Florian’s Abbey. And then is the gloriest of all musical experiences imaginable: Bruckner Eighth Symphony with Vienna Philharmonic. I hope Lorin Maazel will not screw it up too much…
I promised to be a good trip. We still do not know if we go for 2 weeks or 1.5. Amy was in UK many times but not ousted of London during her adulthood. I never was in UK. So, we are thinking to entrench into the trip person 2-3 days out of London experience. Will see how it works… sine it is not far I do think I will try to waist Definitive Audio…
The Cat
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Posted by decoud on
05-12-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d
I do not know any interesting playback installations in London but I do know where to drink and dine near the Albert Hall, as I live ten minutes walk away: let me know if you need suggestions.
Kevin from Definitive Audio is charming, incidentally, and may well have someone in London who would be able to demo to save you the trip to Nottingham (which is otherwise uninteresting).
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Posted by Purite Audio on
05-13-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d We should have our new Cessaro Betas by the time of your visit, I might even be able to give you a lift up to Kevin if we can synchronise timetables.Keith.
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
05-13-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d
Interesting. The Cessaro are certainly the system that I would like to hear, probably Gamma rather then Betas. However, I thought that Cessaro are Germans company. Do they have presence in London? Do any Gamma are installed in controlled environment? It would be interesting to meet the guy who design Cessaro if he is available in London.
Also if you are taking about the new Cessaro Betas then what the objective was to make a new version? Dos anything specific the “old” Cessaro Betas that the new model will be trying to improve or any new characteristic of sound that the new model will advance?
Thanks for the invitation to accompany us to Definitive Audio. I would gladly embrace it if not create any tension between Cessaro and Living Voice.
The Cat
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Posted by Purite Audio on
05-13-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d I suppose the biggest difference this year has been the introduction of the dual skinned carbon/fibreglass horns, which are filled with a liquid polymer, just seen the mid range horn on the Liszt at Munich and it does look great.We are waiting for an installation date so Ralph Krebs could be around, there are no Gammas yet in the UK, my rooms are just too small to support them.Keith.
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
05-13-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d  Purite Audio wrote: | | …. dual skinned carbon/fibreglass horns, which are filled with a liquid polymer… |
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Wow, this is new. I never even though about it. We fill hoe with sand, tape it with wax but I very seen or hear of anybody make horns with liquid dumping. I do not even know how to predict this result and probably I shall not even talk about it in this thread… Still, it is very interesting and very ambitions. I think Cessaro shall reconsider to use liquid polymer but rather fill the horn with 21 year old Cognac .
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Posted by Purite Audio on
05-13-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Ralph Di try all the usual suspects ,but he preferred the polymer, the midrange horn weighs 75kg , the profile is completey different tothe old 'flat fronted' birch ply horns, there will be new drivers next year,Keith.
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
05-14-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Ok, we have booked the tip. We are leaving US in 27 August for London and return on September 11 from Edinburgh. Probably we stay in London up to 6 September, the day of the final Bruckner 8 concert with Vienna Philharmonic, exploring the city and the suburbs and then will take off to Scotland.
What I would be interesting if anybody know of any interesting concerts ether near London or around Edinburgh with Bach-period instruments. I know Brits musicians are very eager to play vintage instruments and they do very well. I caught a few of those concerts here in US with OAE and it was spectacular. It would be dreamy if we catch some kind of Brandenburg Concertos played in a stoney Scotland castile….
The Cat
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Posted by Purite Audio on
05-14-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d In London I would investigate the schedule for the Wigmore Hall, it is a small l with lovely acoustics, often used for small ensembles, trios ,quartets etc.Keith.
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
08-02-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Amy the Kitty last night was purring, purring and then asked me if I want when we have a free day in London to make a short ride to Paris. I kind of perplexed with it. I do not have a special feeling about Paris; I was there and it was a nice city, still a bit chick-type of city to my taste. Kitty is a girl however and in her chick cute mid she apparently wants to have the ride. My perplexity is that I always thought that if I go to France again then it will be south France and I would be trying to have a listening session with a number of Horns French guys I know there. But if we will do the Paris trip from Londo then the trip will be short and being with wifey I would not want to “waste” her time with audio meeting. So, I kind of wonder, do I want to go to Paris without hitting a few interesting horn installations?
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Posted by Paul S on
08-02-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Romy. do you seriously need audio attractions to get you to Paris? Are you not smitten by the sights, sounds and wonderful, beautiful people, the art, the music, not to mention the food? If you do go, the old 4th Arrondissment is a nice place to stay, or the Ile St. Louis; both are quiet (for Paris), apart from the early morning street sweeping, of course. Walk. Take the subway. Have a picnic. One thing that might stop some people is the fact that much of Paris is "closed" during August; but you might regard this as a plus...
Best regards,
Paul S
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
08-03-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d | Paul S wrote: | | Romy. do you seriously need audio attractions to get you to Paris? Are you not smitten by the sights, sounds and wonderful, beautiful people, the art, the music, not to mention the food? If you do go, the old 4th Arrondissment is a nice place to stay, or the Ile St. Louis; both are quiet (for Paris), apart from the early morning street sweeping, of course. Walk. Take the subway. Have a picnic. One thing that might stop some people is the fact that much of Paris is "closed" during August; but you might regard this as a plus... |
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Come on, Pual, I obviously do not “need” audio attractions to go to Paris but there ARE a few audio attractions in there that I really would like to consume if I am already there. I just do not see how it might work in context of a very short trip.
The Cat
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Posted by Paul S on
08-03-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d
Sure, extra travel during a limited stay is not good. In fact, I hate it. But you did raise the question. You may already have considered a train. Some of them really haul ass, and total, end-to-end time might actually be less than dealing with airports and attending commutes, if you try it at all. My wife and I like to spread out and get comfortable on the train, and we take our picnic stuff aboard. The first time I visited Venice was on a spur-of-the-moment "side trip" from Austria, where we had gone... skiing. It was too rushed, of course... but Venice was/is - after all - Venice; and Paris remains Paris.
Best regards,
Paul S
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Posted by de charlus on
08-05-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Even if you wish to spend a few days in Paris, all you have to do is step onto the Eurostar and alight there a couple of hours later. As for baroque recitals, Oxford was a good place for those when I was there, and once more, not far from London. Do try to check out the open-air concerts at the Robert Adam house on Hampstead Heath; the acoustics are so-so, but on a warm summer's night with a picnic and some lovely wine and company, this can be a great experience. Also, try to catch something at the Covent Garden Opera House with the ROC; wonderful acoustics, a lovely venue and exquisite productions. The Albert Hall's acoustics have been vastly improved in the last 20 years, but for a slightly cosier, less grand presentation, I second the Wigmore Hall recommendation. There can be some wonderful recitals in the ancient churches and cathedrals too, organ and baroque in particular. Really, it's an embarrassment of riches.
As for Edinburgh, I'm pretty familiar with things there since I have a house on Great King's Street. Usher Hall is probably the most "classical" of venues, but for baroque, the churches of Canongate Kirk and Greyfriars Kirk can be wonderful. Also, St. Cecilia's Hall at the University specializes in Georgian, Baroque, choral etc. It's a great city for esoteric forms of music, and a very bohemian, musically-aware community.
de Charlus
PS Don't forget those Martinis at Duke's Hotel in St. James'; it's only just down the street from all the tobacconists too...
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Well, the short trip to Paris was rather Amy’s idea than mine and I think she is cooling out a bit to this adventure. I guess girls do have some fantasies about Paris. I do not. To me the unlimited European experience is south Germany, Prague or Italy. Amy wants to challenge me with UK. I never was there and she feels that London is for her the best place in the world. Coming from the girl who had been traveled in more counties that I would be able to name I do think it says a lot.
We do have a pretty good grip about the musical events in London and Edinburgh from which we return back to US. We plane a long drive from London that shall be 5 hours but we might spread it across 2-3 days. I think the concerts that we will be attending will be mostly Bruckner for sure I would love to see not Esa-Pekka Salonen, Vasily Petrenko and Lorin Maazel lead Bruckner but Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Franz Welser-Most but it is what it is. Live concerts are always filled with unpredictable things and we will take our chances.
Generally, from my former trips to Europe I feel that August and September are not good time to catch interesting concerts in Europe with exception of Switzerlands’ Lucerne. The Proms play nigh be very variable and with the rest the Europians hardly do anything stimulating during this period. That is more or less artistic holiday and the second echelon of musicians who just entertain the pop-corn-chewing American tourists. For sure they might be exceptions…
At this time we less worry about London but rather who will be adding the chemicals to the pool and spa and whop would be feeding and brushing our Koshka while we are not with her.
The Cat
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Posted by de charlus on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d With the proms one has to simply select judiciously, something of which you're more than capable. It is billed as a celebration of popular classics, but within the tourist stuff can be found gems. In Edinburgh they take greater advantage of the wonderful acoustics of their ancient churches, and thus, it's one of few places on earth where Renaissance and baroque music is more than a curio or hors d'ouvre. The Bruckner you have planned should be very interesting, but the sublimity of London is not purely found in its artistic scene; as a whole, the wonderful Georgian architecture, the palpable sense of history and the sheer quality of everything - when one knows where to look - forms a holistic aggregation of tradition and excellence. As a gentleman, you should certainly take a few hours to immerse yourself in St. James'; everything from epiphanal cocktails, the great and ancient wine merchants, Lobb shoes, the wonderful tobacconists we've been discussing and traditional barbers may all be found here - your testosterone will thank you.
As for Hi-Fi, a few recommendations would be; Walrus Audio, Riverside Hi-Fi, The Listening Rooms, Audio Lounge and Classic Hi-Fi in Finsbury Park for all things valve, horn and analogue.
de Charlus
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d | de charlus wrote: | | As for Hi-Fi, a few recommendations would be; Walrus Audio, Riverside Hi-Fi, The Listening Rooms, Audio Lounge and Classic Hi-Fi in Finsbury Park for all things valve, horn and analogue. |
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Hm, I have absolutely no interests to visit audio shops - I just do not need anything from them. I for sure look forward to visit Definitive’s Vox Olympian but I perceive it more like visit Kevin’s personal installation than to visit another reseller. If Keith find some larger Cessaro properly installed and configured that might be fun as well. I do not see myself going to the regular Hi-Fi shops, or even records shops…
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Posted by de charlus on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d OK, understood. If you wish to hear Cessaro, along with some interesting source components and amplification, then Purite Audio is the only place that I'm aware of, and I understand that it's set up quite a bit more like the Definitive Audio thing than a conventional hi-fi shop. You could probably email them to see about present installations, and perhaps even arrange for a potentially good Gamma set-up for when you arrive.
Regards
de Charlus
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Posted by Paul S on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d From your remarks about S. Germany, Romy, it sounds like you are mostly looking forward to the music, itself, as "cultural tourism", and next to any audio installations that might serve music. In any case, it does seem like one might be more likely to hear good play from "local" groups in that area, which is effectively out of reach, I suppose. Even Glasgow seems like a stretch to me, though I really have no sense of scale regarding GB, via the roads, traffic, weather, and whatnot. For our best trip results, when in doubt, we slow down, have a gnosh.
Best regards,
Paul S
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Paul, it is hard to define what I am looking. Most likely nothing well formed; still I am always opened to consume new sensations. I think the summit of the UK trip of this year will be Bruckner 8 with Vienna Philharmonic, ironicly it will be 2 days after Bruckner’s birthday. Regardless how Maazel will be paling it but in my view any person who practices music has to hear Vienna Philharmonic at least once a year. We heard them in NY during winter – it was not the good play and the hall was garbage but still Sound that they able to produce is as orgasmatic as it could be.
South Germany I just absolutely love that part of the world. The Germans on north are kind of cold, too cosmopolitan and no different than New Yorkers of Chicagoans. The Austrian too full of themselves and too anti-Semitic. The Bavarians are just wonderful, particularly in small towns. I have amassing kind and wonderful memories from exploring South Germany. Amy has a dream to go to Vienna and Linz with me. I think it would be easy to combine my dream to explore more Bavaria with her.
The Cat
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Posted by Stitch on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d Cultural visits are no problem in GB, surviving their food is a different chapter. I recommend to invest some time in food research (what is what...)...
Bavaria in South Germany is indeed worth a trip, Munich is great, relaxed, friendly and the food is opposite to England :-) The area South of Munich for example with lakes and tiny villages are great, when you are in that area, go to Beer-gardens, you will like it. Some have musicians on weekends, when you are in Munich go to Augustiner Beer-garden and order their "Edelstoff" Beer. Really good.
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Posted by de charlus on
08-06-2013
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fiogf49gjkf0d London has more Michelin stars than Paris now as a a matter of fact; I shall be very happy to provide no end of excellent restaurant recommendations for you. It is actually German food that I've had a hard time coming to grips with - unsavory bits of pig in their manifold variety doesn't do it for me, and neither do cold cuts and blue cheese for breakfast. I had some good meals at various wine producers' though, which were mainly traditional, really rich, slow-cooked game stews. I love that kind of comfort food.
de Charlus
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