Time to move?

[Pianorak]

What time of the day do you enjoy attending concerts? If you’re UK-based, the chances are most performances start at 7:30pm, more likely to be up to an hour later in the rest of Europe. But in Asia, we found that 28% of the concerts listed start between 2 - 5 pm.
Bachtrack Newsletter | January 2017

How very sensible!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It would suit the retired, but otherwise. . .

[vinteuil]

.

... in my working days, when I used to go to concerts I always thought the 7:30 start the worst possible time. Can't really fit in a proper supper beforehand, too late to enjoy a meal afterwards ; my work in London usually ended 5:15pm, so a couple of hours to kill - not up for a drink, cos wanting to retain concentration...

I think a start time of 6pm wd be excellent - with any luck out by 8, choice of meal in town and home by eleven, or home for a meal and in bed by 10:30. Perfect...



.

[Dave2002]

vint

6pm is not so good for some people who don't work centrally (in London), or might end up working late for whatever reason, or who have to catch a train in to get to a concert.
7pm or 7.30pm are OK-ish. Leave things too late (say 8.30pm) and getting home could be a problem with trains that don't run too late. In the last decade I worked on the fringes of London - around a 45 minute journey in to Waterloo by train. If they were on time, and there were no problems that is, and for returning home that was also about a 45 minute journey - with a complication making it more like 1 hr 15-30 mins if I left a car by the station closest to work, as then we'd have another 30 mins drive to get home. With some planning, and avoiding the car, the issue of late trains came into play, as we actually live further out - approx 20 miles or so, and the trains either don't run very late, or have very large gaps between consecutive trains. Taxis, which I have had to use occasionally in desperation, are fiercesomely expensive. Late night proms are pretty much impossible now - as the spaces I used to know where I could park close to the RAH have all been yellow lined now, so parking before 10pm is not possible. Some yellow lined areas used to be OK from times between 6pm and 7pm. I think 7.30pm is probably the best compromise.

[Alain Maréchal]

The Orchestre de Lyon repeats the Thursday evening concerts on Saturday, at 6pm. This is an ideal time for those who travel a distance, in my case a two-hour journey by train returning at 840, (10-minute walk to station) but also for shoppers or visitors. It is usually full, best seats 48Euros, students 4! (in the front two rows). Of course, OdL are the only players in town most of the time.

[BBMmk2]

I think be good thing if orchestras did at least one matinee performance a week. Be better for going home, as in my case, from where I live to say RAH in Knightsbridge.

[Dave2002]

The Orchestre de Lyon repeats the Thursday evening concerts on Saturday, at 6pm. This is an ideal time for those who travel a distance, in my case a two-hour journey by train returning at 840, (10-minute walk to station) but also for shoppers or visitors. It is usually full, best seats 48Euros, students 4! (in the front two rows). Of course, OdL are the only players in town most of the time.

Are the OdL good? Not sure that I've ever heard them, though I've been to Lyon a few times, and wouldn't mind an excuse to go there again.

[Alain Maréchal]

Are the OdL good? Not sure that I've ever heard them, though I've been to Lyon a few times, and wouldn't mind an excuse to go there again.

Very. They are recognisably still French in intonation, but like many orchestras try to sound international. Slatkin had a heart attack a few years ago, and is somewhat ponderous on the podium, but I have always considered him a reliable guide. Not every conductor is a superstar, nor is necessarily so, but he is a thorough musician. He yields the baguette at the end of this season, but his successor remains unannounced. Try to avoid the front rows - if the organ screens are closed the sound comes straight out and is fierce. Front circles are best.

There are many other events in the Auditorium, and the special joy is the frequent recitals on the Cavaille-Coll organ (don't try to stop me now!) built for the Trocadero, rebuilt in Palais de Chaillot, removed to Lyon and thoroughly restored after a campaign by Thierry Escaich. I will cease salivating.

Lyon is a wonderful city, as you know. No excuse to visit is needed. Just try to avoid accidentally seeing the monstrosity of ND de Fourviere on the hill. Wear blinkers, a cap, and never look up. Voted by me third most hideous church in France.

http://www.auditorium-lyon.com/

[vinteuil]

Lyon ... ND de Fourviere on the hill. .... Voted by me third most hideous church in France.

http://www.auditorium-lyon.com/

... do the other two feature here :

http://www.topito.com/top-eglises-moches-france-verrue-mais-pourquoi

?

[Petrushka]

Various different times have been tried as an experiment but most fail: remember when the BBC PO changed its concert times to 7pm and Bridgewater Hall audience numbers slumped? 7.30 seems the most sensible time overall and is standard for most concert halls and theatres in the UK nowadays.

The CBSO do/did matinee performances with what success I'm not sure. Perhaps someone can let us know.

[Barbirollians]

Sheffield City Hall concerts are 7.00 rather than 7.30 now - I suspect due to the increasing age of the average audience member .

[Alain Maréchal]

... do the other two feature here :

http://www.topito.com/top-eglises-moches-france-verrue-mais-pourquoi

?

No, they don't, and indeed I like all but three on that list.

My two top hideous churches would find me ostracised. One is an internationally famous and very visible church erected (as was ND de Fourviere) in expiation of the "national sins" which caused the 1871 defeat, The other is a 20th century basilica and pilgrimage destination.

[vinteuil]

No, they don't, and indeed I like all but three on that list.

My two top hideous churches would find me ostracised. One is an internationally famous and very visible church erected (as was ND de Fourviere) in expiation of the "national sins" which caused the 1871 defeat, The other is a 20th century basilica and pilgrimage destination.

I agree with all three of your choices

[Alain Maréchal]

I agree with all three of your choices

Further reflection makes it clear to me that all three churches are neo-byzantine, a style I think does not "work", especially when white and prominent. (The church in Lyon is known as l'éléphant.)

[vinteuil]

Further reflection makes it clear to me that all three churches are neo-byzantine, a style I think does not "work", especially when white and prominent. (The church in Lyon is known as l'éléphant.)

Yes. I think the Abadie work on Angouleme particularly unfortunate.