On to a concert in the Bolivar Room at the Venezuelan Embassy in Grafton Street, just off Tottenham Court Road, where they frequently have musical events.
This evening the programme was "ONIX Ensamble: Latin American New Masters", and featured a group of Mexican musicans on the flute, cello, piano, calrinet and violin, playing modern South American music, rather than the traditional I had been expecting.
Founded by Mexican musician Alejandro Escuer in 1995, ONIX is dedicated to promoting contemporary Mexcian music, encouraging the creation of new pieces which combine classical music with other traditions, and their music this evening certainly reflected this.
Playing to a packed hall, they presented a variety of pieces, but it was the final one which was by far the finest and most memorable, if only for the speed and technical difficulty. I was fascinated by the way the pianist's fingers flew across the keys - I don't think I could move my fingers as quickly as that, never mind play the notes The music was wild, exuberant and full of life, and at the same time captivating. At the end, the composer went up on stage to thank the musicians, who must have been feeling slightly exhausted after playing non-stop for so long - there was no interval.
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