The first-ever classical artist to headline iTunes festival?

Yes, it was Lang Lang – and I was allowed in on condition I did not write a word about it.

So I won’t.

Except to say that those who asked me to refrain from writing had reason to do so.

I am, however, allowed to review the audience which was a crowd of thirty-somethings, eager to jump up and down for 2 amplified cellos and percussion, a little bewildered by Lang Lang. But polite. One lady was kind enough to offer me earplugs during the percussion gig.

You can see pictures of the Roundhouse show here and iTunes is offering it here as a free download.

I was reliably informed that Lang Lang was the festival’s classical virgin. I now hear that guitarist Milos Karadaglic beat him to it by a year. More contenders are flooding in. What’s the point, i-Tunes, of over-hyping the event?