It seems that the longer I stay somewhere, the lazier I get. However, I have some excuse for not venturing out until mid-afternoon in that the rain started as I was having breakfast. There were also clothes to wash, and groceries to stock up on.
After all these tasks were completed, I foot-travelled to “Café Museum”. Here I had “Erdbeer-Pistazientorte”, and a “Melange” coffee. These were enjoyed. I spent some time reading my book, and communicating with my family.
I was in the mood for small, fresh portions for dinner. In this case I often resort to Mexican food, as it can often be ordered in a “small plates” style. I was pleased to find “Gorilla Kitchen” very close to the venue I was aiming for in the evening. I enjoyed their quesadillas, some nachos, a beer, and a glass of wine. It reminded me a lot of the “Fresh Mex” restaurants found in various Scottish locations in terms of food quality, and relaxed ambiance.
The concert I was to attend was a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in Karleskirche. This was an entirely appropriate place to experience this particular classic piece as the composer’s remains are interred somewhere nearby. Albeit, no-one knows exactly where. This is by far my favourite piece of orchestral music, and I was delighted to be hearing it played in this extraordinarily beautiful place.
The perfomance was incredible. It was given by Ensemble 1756, who place pride on replecating works by Vienna-related composers on historical isntruments. The solo sections were played by Brazilian-born Barbara de Menezes Galante Auner, with Maestro di Cembalo (master at the harpsichord) Marco Vitale. I am very familiar with this music, and was surprised that lere was more “legato”, as opposed to “stacato” (“smooth”, as opposed to “spiky”) compared to the “Naxos” orchestral version I am used to. Essentially, it was more “flowing”. I am no musicologist, but I am taking a guess that this may be due to a more “Baroque” interpretation as opposed to perhaps stylistically modern. I will stop here less I become pretentious.
I walked back to the apartment, with “The Four Seasons” playing in my ears. I enjoyed a glass of Austrian red wine on the balcony.