Week 3

The high point of the week – a survey of  Ron Arad's work at the Barbican. What has been seen in numerous design blogs and magazines, is recognized in this exhibition. Arad is a genius who creates beautiful steel chairs that look so inviting to sit on and yet you are not allowed to touch. How satisfying is to enter the next room with sofas and shiny tennis tables to try out. Good design not only looks great but also is comfortable.

Sweet Nothings at The Young Vic was a disappointment. The fact that we were sitting next to the sound controller who was typing loudly on his Facebook profile didn't help. The highlight of the play – Micheal Sheen and Ian McKellen spotted in the crowd. Otherwise it was an overacted and rather boring love story between a poor girl and a rich young man.

When King George V first heard Strauss's Elektra performed by the Band of Grenadier Guards in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace in 1910, he sent a note to a bandmaster: ‘His Majesty does not know what the band has just played, but it is never to be played again’. I remembered this story while listening to the world premier of The Earthy Paradise by Ian McQueen performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. I'm always fascinated with the feeling that contemporary classical music gives to the audience. It's so difficult to understand, and nearly impossible to enjoy. But then the time passes and tastes changes and perhaps The Earthy Paradise will be played again just like Elektra is still being performed. Good thing they had some Elgar in the first part.

Also this week: watched Good Bye and Good Luck on DVD, visited Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy and admired  Købke  Copenhagen landscapes at the National Gallery