On October 23 of last year, Philippe Herreweghe gave a Beethoven concert in front of the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées. Then I wrote One of the strategies I use when writing reviews from the Palau de la Música is to observe Beethoven's expression, perched to one side of the stage: if he smiles, it means the concert went well or very well. And on that occasion, I commented that he had only half-smiled.

I don't think I've ever confessed the strategy I use when writing my reviews of concerts at the Palau de la Música. It's very simple: just look at the bust of Beethoven perched on the right wall of the stage and observe his expression. If he remains serious (or downright angry), it means things haven't gone well. If, on the other hand, he smiles, a good review is in order because it means the maestro from Bonn enjoyed the concert. Things get more complicated if the evening includes his music, and that was the case with Thursday's concert.