Okay, here is now my report in English for our English speaking Forum-friends.

Enjoy!

I arrived at the train station in Baden-Baden with sunshine and +25 C° picking up my mum who has accompanied me to David’s concert. Totally relaxed, we drove together then to the hotel. All went well. We arrived at the hotel at about 3.45 p.m. Then we went straight to our room getting smoothly into the right mood for the evening. We cordially packed out our suitcases and went afterwards downstairs into the restaurant having a little dinner and drinks. With prosecco, wine and pasta we tuned ourselves to a unforgettable evening. The hotel was straight of the other side of the Festspielhaus so we had a wonderful view to the marvelous building. Outside of the Festspielhaus, tables were arranged for the evening so that the guests could have their drinks also outside.

Time flew so quickly so that we had to hurry-up to get dressed and made up fort he evening. We also wanted to go the introduction which started at 7 p.m. Really nicely fixed and dressed up, we stepped into the Festspielhaus and my eyes went straight to the poster with David’s Rock-Symphonies perfume and the merchandising table which were standing side by side. Here I took my first pictures.

The introduction was right at the top oft he building on the 3rd floor. There have already been a lot of people and it started right after we got our seats. The introduction was only of the 18th variation of the Rhapsody of a theme of Paganini’s op. 43, arranged for violin and orchestra of Fritz Kreisler. It was told how Rachmaninoff composed the piece or had originally “stolen” it from Paganini. Rachmaninoff just inverted the piece and composed a completely own piece for the piano. First, we heard the piece which Rachmaninoff had composed and then for comparison the original piece of Paganini. We heard some parallels of the original piece of Paganini and the Rachmaninoff’s piece. But on the other hand it was totally different. I have to point out that this piece of Rachmaninoff is one of the most beautiful pieces he had composed during his lifetime. And this is really true! It is absolutely breathtaking! The melody has already been often used for film musics and appropriately arranged. It was really very interesting and lasted approx.. half an hour.

Arriving downstairs again, a lot of people have arrived in the meantime standing there with their glasses of champagne. Suddenly, I saw two women holding each of them a rose in their hands. One of them had a red rose and the other one had a white rose. Then I thought, that those roses are surely mentioned for David and Mr. Spivakoff.

Just before the admittance, I met by coincidence Corie1 and Violine10. It was a very heartful welcome and then we already had to go inside of the hall. My first view was the beautiful décor and the full stage. Oh my God, I have seldomly seen such a full stage. When I arrived at my place, my heart bet for a short time a little bit quicker as my view was straight to David’s chair and also to one of the TV-cameras which showed directly to me. A few minutes before 8 p.m the orchestra came on stage and got their seats. David and Mr. Spivakov came on stage approx.. at 8.10 p.m together with a blustery applause. And then the concert started with Fritz Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro for the violine and orchestra. David looked fabulous! He was in a really good mood and it was obvious that he had a few days off after the last concert. He looked gorgeous, his eyes gleamed and he was so happy to play the concert. His hair were fixed very tight at the back of his head and his shoes were freshly polished.

The harmony of David and Mr. Spivakov voted down to the icing on the cake. Both were again and again in eye contact and smiled to each other. Since the time I still did not know that Mr. Spivakov felt so bad, everything seemed to be normal. The new stories of David were really great and funny! We, the audience laughed very much and we had fun! At this point, I would like to mention that David’s mum was also attending the concert last night. She was sitting in the same row than I together at Birgit’s side. Our places were only a few more seats away. I have addressed Birgit during the intermission and introduced myself. The get-together was very nice and heartful. Mrs. Bongartz is also a very very nice and heartful person and spoke with me immediately which was very special and exceptional for me! I also had the chance to tell her that it is a great honor for me to get to know her in personal. Oooh, she was so happy and touched.

But now back to David and the concert! During the piece of Fritz Kreisler’s “Liebesleid”, I could see that David had several times eye-contact with his mum and smiled gently. The eye-contact was such as he wanted to ask her if he is playing well and if he is doing all fine? It were very special and personal moments. The last piece before intermission was the piece “Liebesfreud” of Fritz Kreisler. Shortly before the end of the piece, Mr. Spivakoff left the stage and David played further alone together with the orchestra. I thought; what has happened? Hmm, is this a part of the “show”? But David explained us after the piece that Mr. Spivakoff is suffering of an acute bronchitis and he had problems with his circulation. This was a real shock to all of us! He could not breath anymore again and had to leave the stage.

During intermission, we had a little forum meeting with Corie1, Violine10 and Birgit. At this point, I would like to mention, that I was and am very happy to meet you all!

I was already very excited to Beethoven’s violine concerto. But more, if Mr. Spivakoff would be able to conduct the concert?!? No, he was not able. David came alone on stage and told us that Mr. Spivakoff could not conduct the concert. But fortunately, the musical director Lorenzo Coladonato, who is the leader of the Philharmonie Baden-Baden was sitting in the audience and agreed at the last minute to conduct the Beethoven-concerto. It was like nothing has happened! It went really well! David was totally felt into the music. In the passages in which only the orchestra was playing, David had his eyes closed and moved his head back and forth. He clapped with his from my view right hand on his upper leg and felt deeper and deeper into the world of this piece. It was absolutely breathtaking how David felt the music. His facial view, his closed eyes … It was breathtaking to look at him! I also started to move in time with the music. Like David. Also during this piece, David had often eye-contact with his mum and smiled gently. It was like an additional security for him that she was in the audience. Also here, it has been very special moments. The Beethoven violine concerto is really bombastic! The music was going through my teeth on edge! I could have listened to the music for hours. After the first part, there was a short break before continuing with the other 2 parts. The audience clapped their hands like crazy! But the second and third part had been played without a break. When the last tone was played, the audience could not resist and stood up and applauded like crazy! David thanked again Mr. Coladonato for stepping-in at the last minute. David was very happy that due to this unforseen incidence, all went well. You could see it in his face. Then he played as one encore his “hat with three corners” and while playing he left the stage. And suddenly the concert was over! But also the best concert is over once and what is remaining are the special moments and memories.

Outside, we met again with Corie1, Violine10, Diana80 and Birgit. We all have been still overwhelmed of the concert but also very happy that all went well. Together with Diana80, Corie1 and another acquaintance who is not a forum member we went to the restaurant of our hotel right on the other side of the road and had a drink and ended the evening beaufifully.

Birgit, I am so sad that I did not had the chance to say good-buy to you. You suddenly disappeared! Pity! I would have said good-buy to you.

What should I say: it was my first classical concert with David and I am already so happy to be part of the recital-concert next year in Leipzig! Classical concerts are still playing in a totally different leage! I would like to thank you David for this unforgettable evening, I prefer my hat to your ability and your passion to the music and you gave me new inspirations with yesterday’s evening! Thanks so much for all what you are giving me through your music!!!

Post-note: I forgot to mention in my German report that I had the chance to hear David’s breath while he was playing the pieces of Kreisler. It was very loud and heavy …!!!

Ruusu