String Quartet at M on the Bund

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to hear the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's "Meteor Quartet" play at M on the Bund.  A pamphlet informed me that the venue has entertained more than a few distinguished guests; sadly, neither Kylie Minogue nor Henry Kissinger was in attendance that day.  The venue was both posh and well-located—at number 5, The Bund, as the name implies—affording great views of the Bund, as well as the busy Huangpu river, where a cruise ship pulled up to dock during the concert.

Student tickets were only 10rmb (US$1.48), but didn't include any drinks; where's the fun in that?  For 65rmb (US$9.60) I got admission and a glass of wine (white, because it was scorching hot out) which ended up turning into two when the abstaining lady seated at our table offered up her ticket.  Alcohol being pretty unpopular in China, and wine even less so, this was the first time I had a chance to enjoy some fermented grapes without spending an arm and a leg for glorified vinegar.

The music itself was great – two quartets by Haydn, expertly played.  I also learned that Haydn was quite the innovator, introducing quartets with four movements and advocating a more balanced interplay among the instruments: rather than let the first violin run with the melody while the other instruments merely accompany, he gives each instrument its own unique voice and role in developing the theme.  Or maybe the host made all that up :-)

All in all, a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

View of the Bund from M's terrace.

Me on the terrace; Pudong skyline in back.

Shot of the skyline without my squinty face :-)