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Anna Dolgikh:
Dear all!
This is my review of the concert in Moscow held on the 9th of March
2008.
It will differ greatly from my St. Petersburg review. But together
with it, it is its continuation...
First of all to help you understand the atmosphere of Moscow, of the
Kremlin Palace (place of the concert) and the atmosphere of the
concert itself I will write a couple of words about the concert's
organization.
The prices for the thickets were very high. Centre of the 1st row
cost 415 euro. Centre of the 2nd and the 3rd rows – 340 euro, centre
of the 4th and 5th rows – 285 euro. Far-far away from the stage there
were the tickets for 80 euro and less. Why? It is a specific of
Moscow. All is very expensive here. Without a reason. The only factor
is the following. If you know that enough people can pay 400 euro for
the ticket – the price will be so. If you are sure the people can pay
800 euro – ok, no problem the price will be 800 euro.
Now about the Kremlin Palace. It is a huge dark hall for 5000 – 6000
seats, I guess. And even from the first row you could hardly see the
faces of the people on the stage. In this Palace there could never be
a 100% relaxed atmosphere! It is a very specific hall!
We have bought the first row tickets. I wanted to see Chris and to be
sure that at least two people - me and my husband - will be smiling,
singing and clapping hands in the first row. :) Having bought the
first row tickets I was happy and was waiting for the concert ...
until one day I found out that in front of the first row the
organizers decided to put five additional rows of VIP parter. For a
high price of course... So I just had to accept that for 415 euro I
have bought the 6th row ticket. Why is it so? Moscow again...
Now about the audience. The audience was really warmer than in St.
Petersburg. To tell the truth when I heard how the audience was
greeting Chris when he came out I felt some kind of joy that I was
from Moscow, not from St. Petersburg... The audience was really warm
and friendly. I think every audience (especially if to speak about
the different countries, different cultures) has its way of being
nice, of being friendly. So in a way the Russian audience used to
show its love and respect it has shown them to Chris.
Our seats were in the middle of the first row (not VIP, as you
remember :)). From this place I can hardly see Chris's face, Chris's
eyes. But before the beginning of the part with the band I was lucky
to move to the 4th row of VIP parter. At the end of the concert I
moved even to the 2nd row.
I guess I should also tell what was happening in the hall. So the
Kremlin Palace is situated on the territory of Kremlin, where our
government is situated. There are VERY strict rules there. However, I
was really lucky. Close to our seats there was a very nice security.
I had a pleasant talk with him before the concert and also he did a
great favor for me – he said nothing and allowed me to stay in the
4th row when I moved there, while under the rules of the Kremlin
Palace I had no right to move there). Nevertheless you have to obey
the securities totally.
So the securities were seating in the gangways just between the first
row's seats and do not let anyone from the other rows to come in the
area of the first row and VIP zone. The whole audience starting from
the 2nd row was cut off from the stage. The securities only allowed
people who had flowers to come to the stage and to present flowers.
But some people had to stand and to wait when the securities allow
them to pass.
So we were really lucky! We turned out to be in a rather free space.
We were not cut off from the stage and Chris. And I can present my
flowers where ever I want and needn't ask a security.
Now two words about the people in VIP parter. I had a quick look at
them, as I was concentrated on Chris. :) I suppose there were no huge
fans among them. But I know that a lot of huge fans were far away
from the stage, because the tickets were very expensive. It should be
vice verse, right? What amazed and hurt me is that the part of the
VIP audience just left when Chris said "Good night" and left the
stage for a couple of minutes before the encore songs while the whole
hall was clapping, shouting and was full of emotions... It seemed to
me that Chris noticed that they had left...
Ok, let me go further.
How can the people living in St. Petersburg influence the lives of
the people they have never met? "Everywhere connections are breaking
away..."
What can I say about the concert? It was perfect. Perfect for the
Russian audience. The audience liked the concert very much and was
very happy. All went smoothly. There were lots of applause. Chris was
extremely nice, extremely gentle, seemed to be in the harmony. In the
harmony with the Russian audience.
The audience really liked the concert. Very, very much! Many happy
faces after the concert.
Chris sang almost the same songs as in St. Petersburg. He only didn't
sing "Boderline" and "The Same Sun" and added "A Spaceman Came
Travelling" and "Bal Masque". May be there were some other
differences that I just didn't notice.
There was an amusing episode. When somebody shouted from the
audience "The Lady in Red" Chris's answer was very funny. He
said: "Lady in what??? Oh, it was so long ago, my memory is not so
good". :) We all laughed. But it turned out that the next song was
just "The Lady in Red". :)
There was a very moving moment during the concert. In the middle of
the concert one man approached the stage with a huge bouquet of red
roses. He presented them in a very artistic way. With the beautiful
gestures he expressed his admiration towards Chris and his songs and
then presented him with flowers. Chris was very touched.
The Lady in Red walk around the audience was great as usual. The
audience was in delight! I think that Chris has danced with every
lady who was in red on this concert. :)
What should I also write about the concert? I was amazed that
starting just from the second part of the concert songs went one
after another without any stop...
There was a very strong musical accompaniment.
There were no movies during "The Leader" trilogy. In St. Petersburg
there were also no movies. But I thought that was because of the
technique problems of that hall... In Moscow as usual Chris left his
place in the centre of the stage during he was singing this trilogy,
but ... no movies...
There was no dancing part. Only when Chris was singing the encore
songs he said that we could stand up if we want.
Chris looked ... Can't find the right words... Pleased and calm?...
Concentrated?... Nice?... All is close, but all is not that...
Sorry... It is very difficult for me to write this review... Just
don't know why...
I had a strange feeling on the concert in Moscow. I saw Chris. He
was rather close ... and far away simultaneously. During the whole
concert I couldn't overcome this feeling. For me everything was
perfect and not. Perfect outside me and not perfect inside me.
I think I would have never understood Chris's mood during the concert
in Moscow if I hadn't been to St. Petersburg concert...
And I am still wondering why the only song that I remember from the
concert is the song "Bal Masque"? Still clearly hear in my head how
Chris is singing something about open doors, masks...
What I am trying to say is that there was something behind this
perfect concert... I felt so... So if you now look through this
review once again you may notice that some phrases (only some, not
all! :) ) begin getting another meaning... I have put something
behind the few phrases just to make this review be similar to the
concert itself...
Kind regards,
Anna Dolgikh
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