Holland Blog 6
Rotterdam was a real fly-by visit, what a shame we couldn't have stayed more than one night...but what an end to the tour. We were very lucky to be staying in a fantastic hotel, right next door to the concert hall ...it was one of those fluffy-white-robe-and-slippers type of place and was met with universal approval!
We only had a few hours to kill in Rotterdam but I managed to squeeze in a wander around the centre and quick visit to the which has a huge collection. I'd like to go back and explore the city a bit more.
The hall in Rotterdam was fantastic, home of the . It's about 40 years old, it seats over 2000 people and the concert was packed. What a great atmosphere - a world-class hall, a wonderfully appreciative audience (as they have been throughout the tour) and a band who have one concert left. It was both Berlioz pieces and the Walton concerto...and two encores! Great to finish on a high, and even better to be treated to a drinks reception after the gig by De Doelen's Head Programmer Neil Wallace, with the first glass of champagne provided by our soloist for the whole tour (also met with universal approval).
This has been my first extended tour with the orchestra and I've really enjoyed it, even parts of Tilburg. For me, the musical highlights have been the final Beethoven 6 in Eindhoven and the performances of Haydn 44 Trauersinfonie, which is one of my favourite pieces. So, that's it for the 2008 Holland Tour, around the corner is China in May/June this year....but first we're off to Inverness for Tchaik 5 with Christoph König, this Friday.
Here are just a few photos that I didn't manage to shoehorn into the other blogs:
The second violins!
Yann Ghiro finds the only cafe open in Enschede on a Sunday morning:
Heerlen takes on Tilburg for the title of Worst Concrete Sculpture:
Rik Evans after the last Beethoven 6 in Eindhoven:
Since it's the end of the tour, I have two Quotes of the Day:
Barry Deacon (on crossing the road): "when you know which way to look, it's time to go home"
Alex Gascoine (as we landed in Glasgow): "I'm not getting off the plane unless it's raining"
David Chadwick
