I woke up this morning feeling rather gloomy. I have been on my own since Boxing Day and, try as I might, I do find it hard to be cheerful in the face of all the doom laden predictions that are abounding. I have reached the stage where I cannot tell what is true and what is not so I have abandoned all news on the television and only skim the papers. I may be being blinkered but I have honestly had enough at the moment.
Every year I watch the New Year's Day concert from Vienna and wondered how they would manage it this year. Well they did. I gather the orchestra were tested twice daily before and after rehearsals as they were determined to perform. Muti conducted and it seems he is alone in a hotel where it and the entire city is deserted. He is reported to have said it was like being in a horror movie....The Shining comes to mind.
My first glimpse of the concert hall. Totally empty and I burst into tears. I found it incredibly upsetting and as my mood was not good it affected me quite badly. The orchestra played simply beautifully. I suppose it is because of the lack of audience that the acoustics and sound seemed clearer and brighter but I also felt the Vienna Phil were playing their socks off for us and it was simply stunning.
At the interval, we heard applause. Apparently people all round the world signed up to be the "audience and I found it quite moving and it cheered me up - a bit anyway.
Before the encores Muti came out to address his world wide audience and said that yes, we were worred about our health and that was the first thing but "the health of the mind is so important and this is what music is for". And, oh dear I was off again.
In the end I got up and clapped and marched around my flat when the Radetsky March was played and then we heard the worldwide applause again. My congratulations and thanks to the Vienna Phil and Muti for going that extra mile to help us all. It was glorious
I wish you all a Happy New Year and, once again, my thanks to you all for reading, commenting and visiting. Many of you have been loyal supporters for years and it is such a comfort and a joy. Bless you.
