I was privileged to hear a concert yesterday afternoon in which dedicated amateurs joined dedicated professionals in performances of two very demanding works: the Beethoven Septet and Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder, with accompaniment arranged for mixed octet. The performances were of the category which I call better than perfect.
Everyone involved was giving their all, paying the best attention to the spirit of the music and to one another. The more experienced players were not looking down anything resembling a nose, with the result that everyone was moved; no one wanted to leave. A beautiful afternoon.
"Zimmer 718" the name of the group. Don't ask - even they can't tell you why!
