Arvo Pärt - London Festival Hall - Orchestra

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a live Orchestra concert at London Festival Hall. My kind friend, Nick was so nice to give me his spare ticket so I went along with him. I've never been a fan of orchestral music but I've never seen an orchestra live, so how could I say that I don't like it, if I've never been?

My mind was quickly changed. I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm not a fan of the brass. It's too harsh for me. The second half was incredible with just the strings and the choir. It was so soothing and beautiful that I could have drifted off into a deep sleep listening to it. It was simply beautiful.

Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer of classical music and sacred music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs his self-invented compositional technique, tintinnabuli.

‪Listen here to - Arvo Pärt Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten - Proms 2010.

I'd say to anyone that doesn't really Orchestra not to instantly dismiss it. Listen to it live and the experience of the music changes. You can feel the brass in your bones and the strings slowly creeping into your skin with its high notes. It's a whole different experience. Give it a go.

Thanks for a lovely evening out, Nick. Even if I did have too many glasses of red wine!