Piano Recital.

On Sunday the 22 of August we went to a piano recital, given by a young Spanish pianist Carlos Apellaniz, at the Chateau de Lacquy.
http://www.armagnac-express.com/vsop.htm
We had never visited the chateau before so we were pleased to have the opportunity to see it.
The recital was advertised to start at 6pm prompt and despite the fact that we are used to things happening much later than advertised we decided that we should get there in good time. We arrived about 5.40 and there were quite a lot of people there already but we were able to get seats near the front. The recital was to take place in a marquee which had been erected on the lawn in front of the chateau.
True to form people were still arriving at 6pm but about a quarter of an hour later the comte and owner of the chateau gave a short introductory speech to introduce the pianist who then emerged from the chateau to bow and take his seat at the piano. All the pieces that he played were by Chopin. In the first half he played 2 Scherzos and a Ballade. In the second half he played Sonata no 35. The music was very pleasant although the accoustics were not good being as we were outside. It was amazing to see his hands flying over the keyboard producing such beautiful sounds and he played everything from memory.
As well as thoroughly enjoying the recital we were given, during the interval, a good opportunity to "people watch!" It was fascinating to see the different types of people there, I suspect there were more "posh" people there than we have seen in all our 3 years in les landes! Surprisingly, the comte himself looked quite unassuming and if we hadn't known it was he we wouldn't have suspected that he was indeed who he was.
After the recital we were invited to go to another marquee on the lawn to have a drink. Despite the fact that the chateau produces wine as well as a fine Armagnac the drinks on offer were orange juice, Perrier water and tonic water!