Friday Night is Music Night - 21 Sep 2007

[Stephany]

Hi everyone,

As usual, your pictures are truly exceptional, Steve. Well-done and thank you!
I also loved reading the reports that have been posted so far. Many thanks Mark, Martin, Gordon, Drew and Chris (did I miss anyone?) Grant, I'm glad to finally see you back home(probably still westenwowed!). I think you already know that we're all eager to read your report

Lots of love,
Stephany

[starbuck]

Excellent Pictures!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hayley looked Radiant!

Thanks from the USA
James

[grant]

"Friday Night is Music Night - 50 Years of West Side Story" - Part 1

This could all have turned out to be a bit of a nightmare for me! Having suddenly decided I would come down to London for this one, an overnight stay seemed inevitable and I found a reasonably priced place adjacent to Wimbledon Common. Then, oh no! Hayley won’t be appearing – ticket and accommodation cancelled! Then, Hayley will be appearing. On the ‘phone early on Friday morning to reinstate ticket and find replacement accommodation.

With everything seemingly back on track, I had been woken very early by one of those intense dreams that seem so real, but this time it featured someone I would be seeing later! In the dream, my ‘phone rang and I answered it. The voice on the other end said “Hi Grant, it’s Hayley!” (She never did say why she rang!) I snapped wide awake in an instant. Anyway, I digress! I headed for my new accommodation in Wembley, still with the slight worry in the back of my mind that my ticket may not have been reinstated and visualising myself being ejected out onto the street! For £35, I didn’t expect the Ritz, but it’s OK for one night; at least the shower delivers hot water and the bed looks comfortable enough.

I had intended to get the tube straight down to Marylebone but, in the event, the local ticket office couldn’t provide the ticket I required, so I jumped on a suburban train into Euston and walked the mile or so to Marylebone, proudly displaying my HWI sweatshirt! Mark’s train pulled in two minutes early and we headed to Blackfriar’s, where Richard and Gordon were already waiting.

We hung around for a while, but even at that early hour (about 4pm) a couple of Friday night ‘regulars’ were already in the vicinity. Mark and I decide to go find something to eat and ended up in the ‘Piccolo Bar’ a tiny café almost opposite the Mermaid. For my part, I was already beginning to feel to excited to eat.

Gradually, the remainder of our group assembled until we numbered twelve. Unusually for HWI we were not at the head of the queue – the regular ‘Friday Nighter’s’ were, but they seemed a friendly enough bunch. At last we are allowed in; no need to have worried about tickets, the girl on the door taking the stub I offered without even looking at it. Climbing the stairs, we entered the modern auditorium from the rear and settled ourselves on the fourth row of the centre block, with James and Chris just across the isle. I would have to say that there probably wasn’t a ‘bad seat anywhere, with quite a steep rake from back to front.

Eventually, Paul Gambaccini appeared through a side door and the performance began. As has already been said, the second half was dedicated entirely to West Side Story, with Bernstein’s other music and songs being performed in the first half. Although this meant a longish wait to see Hayley it was very enjoyable and another example of Hayley’s influence resulting in my experiencing music I would not normally listen to.

Back soon!

Grant

[Dave]

martin said:

Michael Xavier (who played Tony) mouthed to Hayley immediatley after the duet "Tonight" - PERFECT! (I actually missed this but it was Grant who picked up this marvelous impromptu comment).

What I didn't fail to notice at the end of the concert after a great ovation from the audience was that Hayley, about to leave the stage, clapped her hands at the audience or to be more precise at the FOURTH ROW.

Hi Martin and everyone,

Yes there are a lot of "little things" that happen sometimes at these concerts but even if we notice them individually, they are easily forgotton if we dive straight into the song-by-song reporting... I know that I've been guuilty of that in the past. So before I get into doing any photos (for which we are very well served by Chris and Steve at the moment) and instead of writing the usual "concert report" I will just mention some of those "little things" and my overall impressions.

1. The audience was well lit and it was obvious that Hayley would have been able to see the HWI row 4 clearly... but she studiously and quite rightly concentrated completely on her performance until near the end. I for one tried to avoid making any distraction for her (or the other performers) as I was sat directly facing Hayley, so I sat as still as I could and the camera stayed in its bag until near the end, even in between songs.

2. At the end, during the final "curtain call", I think the orchestra and conductor were introduced first (not sure but it wasn't Hayley) but when we got to Hayley, the audience literally roared its approval, to an extent that I've never heard at a Hayley concert... and Hayley reacted with obvious surprise and delight! This set the tone for the rest of the performers... the audience was in the mood for it... and the rest of the cast each got their own roar thereafter... but Hayley's roar started it all!

3. As Hayley left the stage at the very end, some of us waved "bye" when she looked over and if you managed to catch her eye, she waved back individually (when she looks directly at you in row 4, you don't miss it! )

4. Not only did the cast seem to thoroughly enjoy this performance but the excellent BBC concert orchestra did too. I've lost count of the number of times I saw some of the violinists exchanging smiles and happy glances at each other, especially the back row of four of the lady violinists, they were all having a ball... and it showed.

5. There were no retakes whatsoever in Hayley's half of the concert (part two). This is not surprising as it had clearly been thouroughly and well rehearsed (what a pleasure to realise this) and even the sometimes tricky timing was excellent (when singers and chorus had to come in together). I could see them all carefully watching each other for timing cues and clues, and it worked a treat. All very professional indeed - well done to Hayley and the entire cast. (There were two retakes of first half performances not involving Hayley, due to a technical fault with one of the orchestra microphones)

6. Paul Gambaccini was the perfect host for this, he is of course from New York so it had to be him! He sat in the front row of the audience near us, throughout the concert and just nipped up and down onto the low stage as needed. And he made not one single slip during the entire show; the perfect host, so well done to him, too.

Conclusion

Before the show, I was a bit unsure about how much I would enjoy Bernstein as a whole (apart from Hayley's part, of course) but I needn't have worried... the entire thing was very well put together and performed from start to finish. Hayley looked like she'd been doing this kind of show week in week out for years... but in reality, it's a World away from her usual solo concerts and recording solo albums. For me, this was a definite step up on the ladder for Hayley, you could see that the rest of the cast were a bunch of hardened (and good!) professionals, well used to doing this kind of show - and Hayley slotted right in there - seamlessly. Well no, her performance stood out in fact... but I think you know what I mean!

Nice one, Hayley, brilliant!

Cheers, Dave

[Richard]

Hello again everybody!

As others have commented, Hayley and Michael Xavier interacted very well with each other on stage, and their voices blended together perfectly. I doubt if they had ever met before yesterday's rehearsals, which made their performances all the more remarkable. It's a pity this was only a radio show, because it would have looked wonderful on television. Now I can understand why so many of last night's audience were regular 'Friday Nighters'! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Richard

[comet]

stevehome said:

There was a statement by Paul Gambaccini regarding 'no flash photography' so we were able to get some pictures without flash, although the camera police were in evidence and other than HWI not one other single camera was seen, so we needed to be sensible with when we took the pictures, mainly during applause.

Oh I am glad there was no flash used. LOOK at Hayley's eyes in these shots. Steve you are a beauty, great shots as usual,
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You,
Hayley is a beauty to behold too............................

comet

[Mark]

Hi Dave & everyone

Thanks for your report. I entirely agree with everything you've said. The whole performance was very well rehearsed and professional and Paul Gambaccini simply didn't put a foot wrong. I also liked the way he sat on the front row of the audience in between being on stage.

You are right when you say that often its the "little things" that happen at these events that can be lost and sometimes not mentioned, so thanks for recalling some of those moments.

Of course, the benefit of so many HWI members attending is that between us, we dont miss much. I think I was involved in one of "those" moments myself, as Hayley was looking directly at our group throughout a good deal of the show. It happened during her mesmerizing performance of "I Feel Pretty" when the backing group were singing and Hayley was sort of acting out the part on stage and was often glancing at the audience. The lyrics at this point were quite amusing which actually made me laugh i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Hayley spotted my obvious amusement and gave me a wide grin Wow

Mark

[grant]

Part 2

It had been noted that Nicola from Bedlam had been sitting in for the recording. Steve Abbott had also been spotted. In the interval, Nicola was asked if we would be able to see Hayley afterwards and she disappeared backstage to find out. It seems, however, that Hayley has to rush off afterwards and meeting up began to look unlikely, although Nicola did say that Hayley sends her love. Disappointing. For me, it would be the first time, but I guess it has to happen eventually. Richard is not to be outdone and suggests a quick exit and round to the stage door for, if nothing else, chance for a wave and a quick “Hi Hayley, you were amazing!” But first, the second half of the concert is about to begin!

Before the WSS segment, however, two items from the first half had to be re-recorded because of problems with some of the microphones. After these, Paul Gambaccini did the introductions for the radio programme, following which, Michael Xavier came onto stage to give us “Maria”. I think I realised at this point that I have really taken to Vittorio’s rendition of this song. Michael’s just didn’t seem to have the passion, although he sang it very well.

I can’t remember now, whether it was before of after this next song that a mystery was solved. Hayley came onto stage, looking happy and absolutely radiant in the red dress, to duet with Michael on “One Hand, One Heart”. This is a most beautiful song and probably my favourite on the whole album. Yet I do not remember it from either the various stage performances I have seen, or from the film and it has puzzled me ever since I first heard it. The simple answer, Paul explained, is that it was cut from the score. I can’t remember the exact words he used but it was something like “The most beautiful out take ever”. Before Michael left the stage, he kissed Hayley lightly on the cheek.

Hayley remained on stage to sing “Somewhere”, Paul explaining that in the score this was sung by ‘a girl’ from off stage who was never seen. Hayley’s first solo of the night was amazing. Standing with her feet slightly apart as if to brace her body to withstand the incredible power of her voice, she gave it everything she had got (or so it seemed). Belting it out until the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and the shivers going up and down my spine sent out tiny shock waves. She was awesome!!

Michael now returned to stage to duet with Hayley on “Tonight” and it was at the end of this, as Hayley’s final note died away, that I noticed Michael turn to her and say quietly “perfect”. He was not wrong! But it was still nice to see one artist complimenting another’s talent, and publicly. As has already been said, though, it did seem that they were both enjoying working together.

Once again Hayley was alone on stage for “I Feel Pretty” and this one she really makes her own. Swaying girlishly as though she’s really having fun looking at herself in the mirror or something.

With the evening drawing to a close, we are treated to, what for me was the highlight of the entire performance, the ensemble performance of “Tonight”. On CD it doesn’t seem to work quite so well, but live on stage it is breathtaking. I couldn’t take my eyes off Hayley as , once again, she put everything into it and more. And was it me, or did she seem to be paying just that little bit more attention to the fourth row? Again the final note from Hayley made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but this time I almost felt lifted out of my seat, it was so powerful.

The applause now was tremendous and it looked at one point as though we might get an encore but no, the music stopped, the musicians stood to take their bows as the applause continued. As Steve’s pictures have already shown, Hayley herself gracefully leading the applause for her fellow performers, musicians and her audience. She even managed a wave to “her fourth row” as she left the stage. Bless you Hayley!

[Dave]

Hello everyone,

As Steve is leaving the wide shots to others, I shall start the ball rolling; I think it will help those who were not present to appreciate the scale of this event. Just one photo for now, taken right at the end with all the cast on stage though some are rather small (hence the enlargements below!) and one of the chorus is hidden! Bear with me, I will have to post the photos separately in a minute or two (I am using two different computers!)

Jon-Paul Hevey, Hayley Westenra, Michael Xavier, Martin Yates (Conductor) and BBC Concert Orchestra
See enlargement below for the remainder of the cast.

Jon-Paul Hevey, Hayley Westenra, Michael Xavier

Jacinta Whyte, David Combes (of Capital Voices), Mary Carewe, Capital Voices (other five)
Capital Voices "five" are: Jacqueline Barron, Annie Skates, Emma Kershaw, with a partly hidden James Spilling and Stephen Hill

The first person to name all the performers in order from left to right gets the prize! Edit: I have added the names of the cast, thanks Richard for your help with this

Cheers, Dave

[grant]

Part 3

We exited the theatre as quickly as we could and found a place to wait for Hayley but somehow it didn’t feel right and there is a moment’s panic as we began to think we might miss even a quick “Hi!” Eventually, and I’m not sure who sussed it, we discovered that a silver chauffeur driven Mercedes, parked by the stage door, was waiting for Hayley. We assembled on the pavement opposite and waited. Wondering what Hayley would do. Would she wave as she climbed in to be quickly driven off? Or would she come over for a chat? I favoured the latter and said so.

Now I don’t expect to be proved right all the time, but on this occasion I hoped I was. We didn’t have to wait long for Hayley to appear and at first it looked as though she would get straight into the car, but no, she was just putting her things in before coming to say hello.

What should have been a very brief “Hi!” must have lasted a good ten minutes before Hayley said that she would have to be going but there will be pictures from this part of the evening including, I hope! One of me with Hayley, because although we had agreed that we wouldn’t ask her to pose for any, I just ‘happened’ to stand by Hayley with Steve taking pictures opposite.

We all thanked Hayley for a wonderful evening and told her what an amazing performance it had been, especially hers. Several of us shook her by the hand and Caitlin got a hug. Hayley even managed to sign a few CD inserts before she settled into the back of the Mercedes and was whisked away.

As we began to head for our various destinations, I asked Steve Abbott about a book signing and he confirmed that there would be one. I suggested Cardiff, to which he replied “possibly”. That gave me the opportunity to ask why Cardiff so often features and he said that more albums are sold in Wales than in England and Scotland together! His answer surprised me, but thinking about it, is it because the Welsh are more musically orientated?

I don’t know what it was about tonight. I’m always totally “Hayleywowed” after a concert, but tonight (pun intended!) I felt so high it was unreal. Even to the extent of standing on Embankment station to wave Caitlin, Steve, Stuart and Dave off. I even found myself running along the platform trying to keep up with the train as I waved and I haven’t done that since I was about six years old!! (Discovered I could run faster then too!).

Oh well! That’s another one over. Mark and Martin left me at Marylebone and I carried on up to Wembley on my own trying to collect my thoughts and feelings. I was surprised to find it pouring with rain as I left the station, luckily my hotel is only a couple of minutes walk away. I hurried on, turning down the street to my hotel only to find myself following a fox! What a night this has been.

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

Sorry Steve, but this gorgious picture needs a caption contest! I'll start the ball rolling

"What do you mean, somebody's eaten my chocolate!!"

[Dave]

grant said:

Sorry Steve, but this gorgious picture needs a caption contest! I'll start the ball rolling

"What do you mean, somebody's eaten my chocolate!!"

Hehe, excellent!

But hold your horses folks, new reports and photos are still coming in thick and fast and we've already had one photo posted three times - this could get very hard to follow especially for new people viewing the thread.

So let's keep photo reposts to a minimum until most of the new stuff's been posted... and/or do what I just did in the quote above Don't forget, every quote includes a direct link back to the original complete post so everyone can see it at the click of a mouse and return with the "back" button.

Cheers, Dave

[chrisw]

grant said:

I suggested Cardiff, to which he replied “possibly”. That gave me the opportunity to ask why Cardiff so often features and he said that more albums are sold in Wales than in England and Scotland together! His answer surprised me, but thinking about it, is it because the Welsh are more musically orientated?

Or maybe because the sheep don't respond as well to Evanescence?

[drew]

My name is little Red Riding Hood and I thought of the colour first Tony, you sly old fox!

[Steve H]

Thanks for all the positive comments folks! Here are three of my favorites

Steve H