Wednesday 24 November 2010

Bratislava at night and tremendous Giovanni Sollima

Don't know whether it was because we came during the "before Christmas" part of the year, or that it was the evening with full moon, but Bratislava seemed to me like very beautiful city.

We were only in the old historical part, but being totally alone at the castle (whose premises are open till 1 in the night) was quite magical.

The reason to be in Bratislava was quite charming concert of Giovanni Sollima. He was tremendous as usual, played the best concerto for two cellos by Vivaldi, then Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze (You should be there, Nigel Kennedy as well), couple of pieces by Sollima, then really great Nirvana songs and some old Italian pieces as well. Encore was finished by terra danza and improvisation on the old theme from 18th century.

Anyway Sollima was great, but from the eight Slovakian cellists who accompanied Sollima, only one or two were good, and only one of them was at least little match to the genious play by Giovanni Sollima...

But it was really a great evening and on the way to Bratislava we also made a visit in Brno, Vankovka Gallery and saw great contemporary Czech Artists. Quite downside of the Brno was the local franchise of Potrefena Husa, who from three meals served one horrible and unedible (soup), one quite terrible (onion gratin with goose liver) and one on the level of "Maybe I will survive if I eat these funghi papardelle." And keeping asking me about whether I like the food, really does not make the food any better, just me uncomfortable being honest...

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