It was a perfect night at the Belgium Ambassador’s residence, full of beautiful music with a side of world-class cuisine. If you ask some who were in attendance, the Embassy Series even managed to set a new high standard for themselves.
Violin virtuoso Lorenzo Gatto played to the beautiful accompaniment of renowned pianist Roman Rabinovich, as an exclusive room of guests intently watched. “I prefer playing to private crowds,” said Gatto after the performance, “because there’s a real intimacy. You get to interact with the audience and see their emotions. But for that same reason it also makes it more stressful.”
It was this emotional connection that made the night exceptional. The two artists—who had only met and decided on the program five days prior to the performance—left a lasting impression on their audience. “I have come to these embassy series performances for fifteen years,” said attendee Michelle Ralston, “but tonight… tonight was really something special.”
The program, which included the music of Mozart, Saint-Saens, and Franck, seemed designed for the two musicians to perform together. Both artists gushed about each of the pieces during the subsequent dinner. “The Mozart (Violin Sonata) is perfect,” said Rabinovich. “The proportions; expression of characters; clarity. It’s just perfect.”
Gatto on Franck: “It’s absolute musical poetry.”
The quality of the music was matched only by the outstanding dinner, which consisted of all variations of Belgium cuisine. More than a few guests confided that it was their favorite Embassy Series meal yet, which is not an inconsiderable statement.
The next Embassy Series event is April 27th at the Embassy of Luxembourg. For more information visit embassyseries.org.
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Musical Diplomacy: Embassy Series Improves Upon Perfection
April 11, 2011
It was a perfect night at the Belgium Ambassador’s residence, full of beautiful music with a side of world-class cuisine. If you ask some who were in attendance, the Embassy Series even managed to set a new high standard for themselves.
Violin virtuoso Lorenzo Gatto played to the beautiful accompaniment of renowned pianist Roman Rabinovich, as an exclusive room of guests intently watched. “I prefer playing to private crowds,” said Gatto after the performance, “because there’s a real intimacy. You get to interact with the audience and see their emotions. But for that same reason it also makes it more stressful.”
It was this emotional connection that made the night exceptional. The two artists—who had only met and decided on the program five days prior to the performance—left a lasting impression on their audience. “I have come to these embassy series performances for fifteen years,” said attendee Michelle Ralston, “but tonight… tonight was really something special.”
The program, which included the music of Mozart, Saint-Saens, and Franck, seemed designed for the two musicians to perform together. Both artists gushed about each of the pieces during the subsequent dinner. “The Mozart (Violin Sonata) is perfect,” said Rabinovich. “The proportions; expression of characters; clarity. It’s just perfect.”
Gatto on Franck: “It’s absolute musical poetry.”
The quality of the music was matched only by the outstanding dinner, which consisted of all variations of Belgium cuisine. More than a few guests confided that it was their favorite Embassy Series meal yet, which is not an inconsiderable statement.
The next Embassy Series event is April 27th at the Embassy of Luxembourg. For more information visit embassyseries.org.
