I woke up a bit early today, and went to school a bit happier than normal, because of the anticipation of my package... it was something I sorely needed especially at this stage in my travels here. Anyway, after a fascinating lecture, the class ended a little earlier, and not sure if I could make it in time or not to get my package and then get back to Trafalgar Square for my class visit there, I decided to chance it. I went directly to the post office got my package and hurried to my flat to drop the box off and open it. I did this, and I got the new camera package Marc had sent me out. I was so very happy about this, and I put it in my knapsack and walked to Notting Hill Gate station, and then on my way to Trafalgar square. I was running later than I thought I should be, but by the time I got to the place we were supposed to meet, I was actually rather late. I looked for my class up and down the hall, and had opened my new camera on the train (a bit eager really) and took some pictures of all the pigeons on the ground (there were tons) outside Trafalgar Square. I then decided it best to go back to school with the intense desire to do some work. The basic problem that I had for some time afterward is that I had no drive to work like I once did, and this was very disturbing as I had more to do than I could shake a stick at, and in an attempt to rid myself of some of the work, I did indeed shake a stick at it, but with little avail. I actually was unable to shake a stick at it, coming to think of it, there was more work that would not allow such a thing.
I got back to school, and got some more reading done essentially and played with my new camera, but that was about it. I then waited for class to begin, and it was all right, but I could not tell you what the subject matter was about, but I do know that we listened to another divine Elgar piece, in fact I don’t think he writes anything otherwise. Afterward we were off to that night’s concert and here it is, as usual.
30 November 2005: The Royal Academy of Music playing at Duke's Hall
Tonight we went to The Royal Academy of Music at Duke’s Hall. This was an incredibly attractive hall to me, because it was just quite romantic and old, a quality I can not quite explain as I would want to. In this hall they played several pieces, all of which they did rather well, especially considering the fact that they are still students (I assume). The pieces they played were: Mozart’s Divertimento; Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani; Elgar’s Sospiri; and Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra. All of these were, as I said well done, but I do have to say that they evoked great emotion in me, or at least Elgar did as he usually does. They were all of course pleasant to listen to, but particularly Elgar’s piece. I also particularly liked the Organ and Timpani piece by Poulenc, it was a very good sound although a bit eerie at times, but I suppose that was all intended for the effect. It was quite a good concert to go to by and large, and one I am sure I shall remember for a long time to come.
After the concert I went home and attempted to prepare myself for a long and arduous weekend of work, but nothing like that happened, or at least not nearly on the scale I had hoped for. But that is a tail for the next day