Magione
29 June 2017
We visited Magione twice today. Once on the way to Chiusi for lunch and once for the Lake Trasimeno music festival to see Angela Hewitt play Bach pieces. Although we did spent relatively little time on either occasions in Magione, the concert was at the castle of the Knights of Malta. It was outdoors in the courtyard area of the castle. We were sitting right at the back but to the right of the piano so we could see her play. I think the enjoyment of a piano concert depends on seeing what the pianist is doing as much as listening. Watching her play she had her wrists raised very high or completely flat but never dropped below completely flat and she had wonderful supple movements whilst playing. Not above a bit of am-dram holding a pose at the start.
We found the concert by accident because we saw a single advert at the airport, and I followed up on it, to get the very last four tickets for the concert that evening.
The weather forecast had been terrible and we were told it was likely to rain so she indicated at the very beginning that she was going to go straight through and any would be shortened because if it rained that would be an end to the concert. We had no way of covering the piano so it would be off and so would she…
In the end all was well and there was no rain and the wind that had caused problems held off.
There were about 200 people in the concert space and the audience was completely hooked on her playing throughout. No talking, photographs, sweetie papers rustling etc. amazing audience, in an amazing location
She was playing a Fazzioli piano (first I have seen) and the music score was on an ipad. Again, another first.
The courtyard space was fully enclosed (but no roof) by the walls with two story buildings around the side. The main wall behind her had a buttress from which hung the Trasimeno festival poster) but unfortunately they had hung it squint to the annoyance of one of our number.
We were told no photos etc and I remember a member of the audience telling a stranger sitting next to him to stop filming covertly because it was disrespectful.
The only audience reaction came at the announcement of an encore. As a reward for our patience and because she had been playing unfamiliar Bach pieces, she said that we had earned the Goldberg Aria. The audience’s reaction which was a sigh of pleasure just as if we had collectively all stepped into a warm bath together. The only time I have heard anything like that was when I saw my friend Donald and his band playing on his 50th birthday and they did an unexpected cover of “I want to know what love is” . Same reaction, to a song which everyone in the audience decided they really liked on the spot and were pleased to be allowed to hear it. It was of course magnificent.
Found a new favourite though which was Andante movement of Sonata in D minor No 964. Really beautiful stuff. Went on line that evening, printed off a copy and was trying to master it that evening. Only printed score I could find was from a Polish second hand book store. Thank god music is international and that we have the internet.
Keep a look out for the Trasimeno music festival if you are in the area. It is well worth a chance to get some tickets. The dress code is smart casual at most and you are not paying a fortune to see her in far worse conditions in concert halls in the UK.
Home
We subsequently found a good restaurant to eat at before the festival, if it is happening in Magione. Al Sottobosco ristorante Via Del Quadrifoglio Magione. We parked just outside, had a lovely meal and had plenty of time before heading up the hill to find the concert venue. Which basically is up the hill and head right. Not left. Like we did…….