I've been away for a couple of days in Paris, now very tired and lots of catching up to do here I see.

But I went to 2 fantastic concerts while I was there.

The first in a very hot Theatre Mogador, and Lang Lang playing Rach 2. The opening was really soul stirring and set the scene for the whole concert. I thought I knew this concerto but I heard parts that were totally new to me. The romanticism was totally milked and it was impressively gorgeous because of this. In the second half it was Mahler 5 (and the wonderful adagietto). I have to say that the solo parts in this by the Orchestre de Paris were all great especially the trumpet at the beginning.

The second concert was outside in the park of Chateau Soubiran a few kilometres outside Paris and was very very cold. But what a splendid and fun concert with a great contrast. 3 wonderful violinsts all top of their particular field of fiddling. Didier Lockwood hosted the event, and has very firmly taken over Stephane Grapelli's baton and run off with it. The sounds he gets from the jazz violin are unbelievable. Next up was Maxim Vengerov, I needn't say any more here. I already have on other threads. Then Roby Lakatos and his gypsy Hungarian band...well WOW.

And then Maxim and Roby played Monti Czardas together, and then all three played a jazz piece together, gauntlets being passed around I think here, and firmly taken up. A great evening.

It sounds great Jane! You deserved the break

Sounds like pure bliss! Inspiration is at hand, I can tell

Sounds like you had a nice time!

Car Expert

I'm glad you had such a great time. I haven't been in Paris for years. Hope Archie was good when you were away!!

Sorry! Post duplicated!!

Paris was fun too. Didn't really have too long to actually look around this time, but managed a few hours in the Louvre with a few Rembrandts and Vermeers, and a visit to a perfumerie where I chose a special gift for my friend Liz who is very ill in hospital, and got sprayed all over with all sorts of different fragrances to help me choose!

Sorry to hear about your friend Jane. I remember being sprayed with lots of perfumes when I was in Paris too. Wonder was it the same perfumerie? By the time I decided which one I liked best, I couldn't remember the name of it, but it was the one she sprayed half way up my left arm!!

Yes it was a bit like that. I had to have a shower before I went out, as it was such a clash of fragrances

I got Liz some body cream as well as a spray, I thought she might like her hands massaging too. The lady in the perfumerie was very helpful and gave me a load of small free samples for Liz too. I think she has something of "lucky bag" (I hopeit is lucky for her ) when I next visit.

Glad Paris was good, jane! sounds wonderful - I'm very envious! Haven't been to Paris in a long time.

How is Liz doing?

There's a room in the Hermitage in St Pete which is just full of Rembrandts... fantastic.

Liz is very poorly right now. I saw her last week just before I went on my trip and she now has her neck in a brace, as she has broken a bone in her neck now. They have repaired her hip, but it seems her bones are not good at all, and she is in a lot of pain which is, thankfully, for the most part being controlled now. This is all happening so fast, I remember playing with her at the beginning of August , it was not so long ago.

Oh no!

Is it the cancer or the treatment that is affecting her bones?

So sorry to hear she is so ill at the moment.

Cancer seems to hit so quickly sometimes... had a friend who had cancer some time ago and it was terrifying to see how quickly it made him so ill. Really feeling for you Jane (and for Liz) *HUGS*

Sorry to hear about your friend

Concerts sound great. I love Rach 2

Its the cancer. She is not really having any treatment just pain control. Not a good sign

Thanks for the hugs, I'll pass them on to Liz.