Behind the scenes at the Phil.

Trip to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall today with friend Sara - I'd bought tickets for a building tour as a surprise for her birthday next week.
We heard the fascinating history of the building, and saw the rooms not usually available to the public - dressing and practice rooms, climate-controlled instrument storage, a mixing suite where a new CD was being assembled for release in February,  snippets of gossip about stars who had performed there, and their often bizarre requirements, and so much more. The Art Deco styling is enhanced with references to motifs from Tutenkhamun's tomb, a plaque in the foyer commemorates the musicians who played while the Titanic sank, losing their lives while trying to calm the panicking passengers. The unique Walturdaw cinema screen was raised from the platform usually occupied by the orchestra for our inspection, and a lovely musician (whose name escapes me despite strenuous attempts to retain it,) spoke at interesting length about the life of a member of the orchestra. The picture is of his French horn, his second-best spare instrument at a cheap £8000. You can just see me taking the pic from the back of the seated spectators in the reflection. The extra is yours truly standing on the podium where so many famous conductors have stood over the years. Lunch at the Brink afterwards, then home on the train after braving the heavy rain/hail and icy wind. I still hope to see some decent daylight before I leave next week.