Yesterday's highlight was a performance at the Concertgebouw - considered to be one of the finest "halls" in the world because of it's acoustics. Thirty two year old dynamo, Joshua Weilerstein, conducted the Netherland Philharmonic Orchestra. The music in the first half was new to me - Ligeti and Bartok - with a stunning performance of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" in the second half. Travelling with Spotify downloads ensures that you hear the music at least once before the performance.
We return to the Concertgebouw this evening for a Beethoven and Brahm's piano recital by Russian Grigory Sokolov. He comes highly recommended and the program looks interesting...listening to it while I'm "blogging".
We've done a lot of wandering over the last few days - getting very lost when we're on our own! The photos show the improvement in the weather from overcast and cool to sunny and not so cool.
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| The Royal Palace of Amsterdam in Dam Square |
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| The 15th century Waag (Weigh House) is the oldest non religious building in Amsterdam. Originally a city gate and part of the city wall it now stands on Nieuwmarket Square. |
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| Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam - from 15th-century convent to royal lodgings to Dutch Admiralty headquarters to the city hall of Amsterdam and now one of Amsterdam's many luxury hotels |
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| Wonderful vistas as you wander along and cross the canals! |
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| One of "The Leaning Houses of Amsterdam" |
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| Officially the smallest house in Amsterdam |
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| You can do quite a study of the hooks and pulleys used to avoid the narrow stairs inside the buildings. Looking up means that your guard is down momentarily. The cyclists come out of nowhere like you're their target...peddling faster, yelling and ringing their bells! All the buildings are built at a slight lean so the goods don't hit the walls as they're being raised or lowered. |
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| Gates of the old Catholic university bearing Amsterdam's red, back and while coat of arms |
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| Guild signs on the Waag building |
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| If only there was time to make her acquaintance....but places to see! |
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| Narrowest street in Amsterdam - "street art" but not much graffiti |
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| Didn't stop for a coffee here - not my brand! The names says it all...Amsterdam's first "coffee shop". |
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| All requirements are catered for in the Red Light District! |
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| Nieuwmarket Square - Everleigh Growers Markets runs a poor second for variety! |
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| No mountains of white asparagus here... |
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| Rhododendron's flowering beautifully in THAT ceramic pot |
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| And a final one for Mothers' Day! |
