Le Corbusier’s la Roche
Glass piano etude5
Weekend!
Today started off with another wild goose chase. I wanted to see the antique furniture market on the outskirts of Paris. It ended up being the not so nice part of town, and the only thing we could find was a flea market! So we came all the way back! To find out we turned back a block too soon.
But we had a pleasant time together and a lovely meal to pamper ourselves. We spent some time in the flower market.
Afterward we collected our books and spent a few hours sitting in the autumn sun, reading snd watching people going by. There were stalls giving people flowers and flower crowns (for free!) Why? I still don’t know!
Madame is tired tonight. Monseur must decide between washing dishes and a Mozart piano concerto. Poor dishes…
The venue is Theatre Champs Elysees again. Tonight I stand queue for the very cheap seats, because I know what happens when the lights go out! And I got the best seat.
Conducting is Andrew Manze. I am a great admirer of his violin playing. He started with the Mozart Symphony nr 31, the Paris. After that came the piano concerto nr 9. Solist Alexandre Tharaud, a brilliant young pianist I was following as well! Both performed their music to perfection. The applause made our soloist play an encore, the lyrical Glass etude nr 6. Everything as if just for me!
Last on the program is Mendelsohn Symphony nr 4. The only work I thought did not know that well. But with the opening cords a floodgate of memories opened up, third year student, a beautiful young blonde girl and puppy love..let’s not go there. Monumental music, well performed should always make or carry memories.
Friday
Friday. Again. Time flies. Madame had chef classes. I wanted to see the Le Corbusier house, la Roche again. My first visit a few years ago was impressive. My interest in architecture has since deepened so I went to see this iconic building again.
Second time around was much easier to find. This tum the exterior impressed me as well. I could see the incredible advance his vision meant for architecture. There are some points that stand out immediately. The structure is lifted of the ground to make more space. One can move under the building, even here with a small awkward plot. It increases garden space and give an open feeling of space.
With pillars carrying the weight of the building he could free walls for what he called ribbons of light, strips of windows running the whole length of a wall. This makes interior spaces light and airy. He uses lots if double volume space as well that increases the feeling of free space. Space flows from one living area into another. Since they are not all on the same level there is still privacy everywhere.
He built the house for an art collector so wall spaces are ideal for that purpose.
Look at this photo of a contemporary car to put his progressive thinking in perspective.
My next stop was museum Mamortane. It is dedicated to the art of Manet but houses an eclectic collection. The Monets impressed me, especially the later works where he worked more freely. The paintings are symphonies of color and brush marks on canvas. Almost abstract.
Part of the building is dedicated to an exhibition of gothic illuminated manuscripts. Really beautifully crafted art miracles.
I missed an incredible chance tonight. If you go to the Theatre Champs Elysees an hour before a show you can get a seat with limited view or no view of the stage for 5 euro. Tonight was a production of LA Clemenza due Tito by Mozart. I do not know the music and thought that it might not be worth while if it is little known music. I watched the whole video on You Tube. The story is absurd like most operas, but the music is beautiful. It was written with roles for castrati,now sung by sopranos. I posted a video. Can you see why it is performed seldom?
Watch “Mozart – La Clemenza Di Tito – Bonney, Garanca – Ah perdona al primo affetto” on YouTube
I always wondered why this opera is not performed more often, but now I think I know why.
Thursday. Russian angels and singing.
This morning started with me unpacking the pastels that Richard gave me when I left South Africa. It is two beautiful sets of matched pastels but so perfect I didn’t want to start using it.
Sometimes I laugh at myself. I always look at books and pens and sets of pencils, but when I have it, I do not want to use it because it is so perfect and I don’t want to spoil it.
I made five sketches along the same kind of theme and I was amazed at how it became easier as I progressed. Maybe I should consecrate on one theme or medium.
Theatre des Champs Elysees
Wednesday
Frederika and me set of to the Fragonard Museum this morning. It is a museum dedicated to perfume, especially those by Fragonard. We had such an enjoyable time. Having a good ( and pretty) guide is always worth while.
The history of perfume is as old as mankind. I loved all the stories, like how royalty only bathed once or twice a year! (I am so glad for the times I live in.)
