An Evening with John Suchet: A Literary Luncheon Experience

You know those moments when you are really not quite sure what to expect and then end up having the time of your life? That was exactly what happened to me last Saturday at Rosewood Hotel. I had won tickets to a literary lunch featuring John Suchet, and—well, let me tell you—it was one afternoon I will not forget any time soon.

Setting the Scene

Imagine, if you will—it’s a briskly crisp autumn afternoon, and I’m power-striding the vibrant streets of London. I was still praying that day that I wouldn’t have been late. So I blew through the doors, a little winded, boom—I am inside that haven of serenity.

Certainly, it seemed to pour out from every nook and corner of this very hotel—the old-world charm blended with modern luxury—making me feel glad that I had bothered ironing my shirt that morning.

This fabulous dinner room, that so closely resembles the supper halls found in Downton Abbey—had the Crawleys been quite keen on subtle mood lighting. Crystal chandeliers, crisp white tablecloths, the works. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Carson emerged and formally announced dinner.

Meet and Greet

And there I was, standing awkwardly beside the reception desk, when in walked he—John Suchet himself. This guy is a total professional, working a full room of people without a second thought while grinning and pumping hands left and right.

But what really crowned the effect—this really classy bow tie that screams, ‘distinguished gentleman’. And I knew right then and there that I was to learn how to tie one of those bad boys.

I sidle up to him, trying to play it cool. Spoiler alert: I fail miserably. “Mr. Suchet,” I stammer, “huge fan of your work.” He gives me this warm smile and says, “Please, call me John.” And just like that, I’m chatting with one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters like we’re old pals. Pinch me, right?

Let’s Talk Tunes SHARE

We do, and he takes his. I’ll be straight with you-all of my knowledge of classical music comes from movie soundtracks. However, the way John talked about it-you’d think he was letting us in on the world’s best-kept secret.

He’s here to talk about his new book – a biography on some famous composer. Just because of copyright, and because I’m lousy with names, let’s call the composer “Maestro X”. John starts telling these tales of incredible proportions regarding Maestro X’s life, and all of a sudden this man from centuries ago becomes as much a real person and as familiar to me as my next-door neighbor.

Maestro X once had a fistfight with a fellow composer over a lady. Or he used to compose with his feet in a bucket of ice-cold water just to keep awake. All these tidbits John’s dropping left and right, and I’m lapping it up like a cat with a bowl of cream.

More Than Just Music

Yet, what it is, John’s not just rattling off facts and dates. He’s painting that vivid picture of a whole era. One minute we are in the most opulent courts of 18th-century Europe, then the next we’re in some grimy London pub where Maestro X is drowning his sorrows.

You know, something like time travel but with better food and no risk of accidentally becoming your own grandfather.

Now, the food—oh man, the Rosewood delivered. Between John’s stories, we are being served these incredible dishes. I’m talking about food so pretty that you feels bad eating it.. for about two seconds before digging in.

Like this one dessert that looked like a mini symphony on a plate—I swear I heard it playing a tiny concerto as I devoured it.

The Man Behind the Music

What really got me, though, was how John managed to make Maestro X feel so very human. He was talking about the musical genius that spoke in the past but of a man laboring under crushing debt and with a weakness for playing practical jokes on people—something which even led to his writing an entire sonata as a sort of passive-aggressive dig at a patron whom he did not particularly care for.

By the time John is done, I practically feel as though I know Maestro X better than some of my relatives. And here’s the kicker: I’m sort of looking forward to going home and throwing on some classical music. Me, the dude whose playlist is 90% dad rock and 10% super-guilty-pleasure pop hits.

Q&A: Where the Real Fun Begins

Then it’s question-and-answer time, after the main talk. Now, usually this would be where I would be working out my exit strategy. However, John has gotten us all so fired up that hands are popping up faster than you can say “Mozart.”.

One of them asks how John has come to have a career in broadcasting, and we get some nice behind-the-scenes stories from his news-reading days.

Someone else wants to know what he makes of modern classical music, and John sort of launches into this really good, considered answer about how everything was ‘modern’ music once. It’s like being in the most entertaining lecture in the world, except you’re also allowed to laugh and there’s wine.

Fanboy Moment

Then comes the time for the book signing, and I am nodding up and down in my chair. I am clutching my copy like it was the last lifeboat on the Titanic. As I stand in line, I practice what I’m going to say so that I don’t be a dork.

I walk forward, hand my book over to John, and… promptly forget every word of English I’ve ever known. Only, John, bless him, just burst out laughing and started talking about the music I listened to. Surprise, surprise, much of classical stuff is buried under the surface in rock music. Who knew?

The Afterglow

As I leave the Rosewood, I am quite buzzed. Not from the wine—though that played its part, too—but as a result of the entire experience due to now having a signed book, stories running in my head, and new appreciation for classical music.

I leap onto the Tube, pop in my earbuds, and—well—you know what? I skip around my usual playlist to crank up a recording of one of Maestro X’s symphonies. Swelling music, shut eyes—I do something very un-British for me: I smile. For a moment, I’m right back in that genteel dining room with a sea of powdered wigs and impassioned composers.

I mean, who would have thought that an afternoon spent listening to John Suchet was going to turn out to be the high point of my month? And yet, here I am, already looking on his website to see when his next book comes out. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be first in line for tickets to his next talk.

Well, when the opportunity to spend an evening with John Suchet comes, well, take that opportunity, for you will never know when a completely new world will open before you, full of music, history, and really, really good bow ties—the Spotify playlist will thank you.