Simply..the real thing....

5/5/2015

I've been looking at the programme for the Edinburgh Festival, and in particular at the performances by ballerina Sylvia Guillem who is doing her final world tour. It reminded me of the thrill of seeing the real thing. Films, videos, recordings - they are marvellous - we listened to some wonderful music in the car on the way home from the city today. Christian Blackshaw playing Mozart (1h 33 mins in) on the Steinway at Wigmore Hall. Glorious!

But nothing gives quite the thrill of the real thing, the live performance, the original painting, the genuine article...it's one of the reasons why people travel I think.

Have you travelled in order to experience the real thing?

13 Comments

vagabonde link

5/5/2015 08:26:58 am

You asked if we traveled to experience the real thing? I did, many times. We flew to Houston, Texas, to see a special exhibit of Monet’s work. Another time flew to New York to see Gertrude Stein’s collection at the New York Museum of Art. Then I also went all the way to Indonesia so I could walk up the steps of Borobudur, the Buddhist temple, and many other places. As you say, to see something for yourself, or hear it, is so much better.

Freda

6/5/2015 06:42:40 am

You had some very exciting trips! Living at first hand I call it.

Cathy

5/5/2015 10:45:22 am

I've traveled (not as far as Indonesia!) to hear Elie Wiesel, Madeleine Albright, Barbara Brown Taylor & other authors. I've seen the Mona Lisa, the Black Forest & tulips at the Keukenhof. Some were specific trips, others were because I was 'in the area'.

Freda

6/5/2015 06:44:22 am

Sounds wonderful. (Cathy would you check the email address you used to post this is correct please so that I can get in touch?)

Cathy

6/5/2015 10:27:48 am

I've checked my address...it's correct as far as I can see.

Angela link

5/5/2015 05:05:55 pm

There's nothing better than the real thing! My sporting highlights include travelling to India, the Caribbean and England specifically to sit in the stands and watch cricket with my friends, going to Monaco and driving through the 'Grand Prix Tunnel' pretending I was in a Formula 1 car and not an Opel hatchback, and disappearing for a night to drive from London to Sheffield to sit in The Crucible at the World Snooker Championships. Oh the joy of actually BEING THERE. Experiences mean so much more than stuff; I think we're realising this more and more as life goes on!

Freda

6/5/2015 06:45:37 am

You are so right about experiences over stuff! Exciting trips you've had..

Grace

5/5/2015 09:40:36 pm

Often. I'm going to London next week to see the Ravilious
exhibition which is on at Dulwich Gallery and, fingers crossed, I may have a ticket to see Jonathan Pryce at The Globe playing Shylock. Nothing beats the real thing but I do appreciate that not everyone has the time to be able to travel and see.

Freda

6/5/2015 06:48:37 am

This is where the media we have today comes in - it makes so many of these things available to everyone. I can watch opera live from the Met in my little village in rural Scotland - so exciting! Enjoy the Ravilious Grace.

Simple Happy M link

5/5/2015 10:17:46 pm

I did, but I just realized trying to answer you question that I'm a bit off that road these days... I'm not sure why, but I definitely have to get back doing it again

Freda

6/5/2015 06:49:52 am

But your wonderful 'Life Lessons from a Three Year Old' are very real! I do love them.

Madeleine

6/5/2015 07:38:18 am

I heard on the radio the other day that Bach travelled 200 miles by foot to hear Buxtehude play the organ - extraordinary!

Madeleine.x

Freda

6/5/2015 08:00:53 am

Oh we are so spoiled! What would he think of our access to great music?

Simply..the real thing....

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