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Manchester International Festival: Day 12

• Richard Fair
• 9 Jul 07, 09:14 AM

I learned two lessons last night. Firstly, I have no idea where to start when it comes to reviewing classical music. I popped along to the Bridgewater Hall to see the world premier of . I must admit I like classical music. I know the kind I like and the kind I don’t like, but put me in a room full of classical music geeks and you might as well put me in a glass jar and label me ‘thick cut’.

But I’m told that have to pass some kind of comment on the music, so here goes. It was great.

Not enough? OK, how about this. A single piano note repeated was joined by a harp and a violin and one of those horns that looks like it had been wrapped round someone’s neck six times. And then all the other members of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Philharmonic joined in with various wind and wood instruments. I want a kettledrum. They’re really cool, but a bugger to get on the tram.

So, William Orbit. Fantastic, although someone did describe him as having a face that had been 'lived in'.

I was sat close to a couple of guys who look like they write for Classical Music Magazine or String Monthly or Horn of the Week, so I must look out for a copy and see how they’ve approached it.

I’m also going to look out for a review of the Polish Rap Night taking place in Jillys on Oxford Road when I passed.

The second thing I learned was that no matter how desperate things get, no matter how late you are to get somewhere, never run for a bus while wearing a loose top and strapless bra.

Tonight
It's the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Manchester Blog Meet in the Festival Pavilion from 6pm. I'm sure there will be lots to talk and blog about. I've also got an appointment with some of

Blogs
Kapital is getting a bit of a rough ride across the board. says that it's been "Shot in a way that makes Manchester looks like a flimsy cardboard film set". While says "Kapital is abysmal". I guess the DVD will not be on many Wish Lists this Christmas.