As with many musicians, Gareth Davies (Principal Flute of the London Symphony) publishes a blog. Over the past few weeks, he’s focused his writing on the sights & scenes, trials & tribulations, and fun & foibles of being an Englishman on tour through the Western USA, primarily California.
Earlier today, I was perusing his posts when the following story about a Biltmore Hotel elevator ride with Michael Tilson Thomas caused me to do a quick double take:
“After the concert in Santa Barbara, we returned to the hotel in LA by bus. The following morning, before another bus trip to Costa Mesa, there is just time for breakfast. I wait for the elevator. Bing! The doors open and already inside are three women I don’t know and MTT.
“Good morning Gareth and how are we this morning?” he asks with a smile.
“I’m fine Michael thank you.”
We resume normal positions, all lined up like soldiers facing the front, not speaking; elevator etiquette is pretty much the same the world over. The doors close and we glide down towards the lobby in silence. Suddenly Michael speaks again to the lift.
“And…how was your ménage a trois last night Gareth?”
The women in the elevator shift uncomfortably. Silence.
We stop at the next floor, nobody gets in or out. The doors close again and we descend towards the lobby.
“I feel I should explain,’’ I say, still facing the front, “that ménage a trois was the name of the wine we were drinking last night.” [hyperlink not in original post]
The atmosphere relaxes a little, but all the same, they leave promptly when we reach the lobby. Michael smiles a wicked smile and strides off in the other direction. . . .”— Gareth Davies, “Ménage a trois at the Yorkshire,” Postcard from the Front Line (March 30, 2015)
Awesome. My already healthy respect for MTT just went up a notch. And Bravissimo to Mr. Davies for sharing.
I encourage everyone, especially Angelenos who appreciate the wonderful wackiness that is Downtown LA (aka “DTLA” to those of you who insist on being au courant), to read the rest of that post:
There is a great story on his visit to the Yorkshire Grill and an encounter with a “Traditional Yorkshire Burrito” (probably developed by a cross-cultural culinary genius like Nigel Granthom-Jimenez, 4th Earl of Boyle-Heights-upon-Sheffield-via-Oaxaca)- He wraps up by talking about a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park in a rented Ford F150 — a vehicle he charmingly calls “ridiculously massive” when millions of Americans who drive it and other half-tons consider it a nice starter truck (clearly, he’s not familiar with F250s, duallies, or gooseneck trailers hitches)
The story immediately preceding that one on his blog details flight cancellations leading to a late arrival at Walt Disney Concert Hall for many LSO musicians (no wonder they sounded a little frazzled that night— they probably were) and a disappointing sojourn at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s too bad someone couldn’t have shown them around to more interesting spots in the area (e.g. No Vacancy or Dirty Laundry), or if they were going to be touristy, at least go to the Jimmy Kimmel show or something similar.
And then there’s the story about . . . You know what: just go check out the whole blog at www.garethdaviesonline.com/blog. You’ll enjoy it.
RELATED POST:
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Photo credits:
- Gareth Davies: courtesy of garethdaviesonline.com
- Michael Tilson Thomas: photo by Art Streiber, courtesy of michaeltilsonthomas.com
- Yorkshire Grill: http://latravelinfo.blog92.fc2.com/
All is Yar 