21 December 2006
This week I have been listening to the 'Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra' by the contemporary Finnish composer, Kimmo Hakola (a recording by Kari Kriikku - for whom the work was written - and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo). This is an amazing piece of music: the first movement is fast, spiky, serious, aggressive, contemporary classical music - fine but unremarkable - but then the work gets progressively stranger and more interesting. The second movement has some lovely gentle tunes and strays towards a film music sound. In the third and fourth movements we get a mixture of klezmer, blues, Balkan gypsy music and sounds from the Middle East as well as the orchestra muttering and mumbling to each other to create the sound of a crowd. When I first started to listen to the recording I soon drifted off to do something else leaving the music playing in the background but after a while found myself rushing back to find out what was going on! It must very exciting to it see performed live - and, I suspect, even more so to play it.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
13 December 2006
Last Sunday I played in the annual Northampton Symphony Orchestra 'Christmas Cracker' concert at Spinney Hill Theatre, Northampton. This is always a really enjoyable afternoon with a wide range of festive and film music (including Star Wars and Harry Potter this year), a narrated piece (Howard Blake's 'The Snowman') and carols for the audience to sing - plus the obligatory mulled wine and mince pies. And each year the orchestra seems to be slightly more festooned with tinsel, reindeer antlers and santa hats! The 'Christmas Cracker' is always a popular concert and this year we had an audience of more than 500 - that's a lot of mince pices! Part of the attraction might have been our compere, local actor Arnold Peters - perhaps better known as 'Jack Woolley' from 'The Archers'. As well as introducing the concert he gave a very creditable performance in conducting the orchestra in Walton's 'Popular Song' from 'Facade'. Our encore, somewhat inevitably was the maypole dance 'Barwick Green' from the suite 'My Native Heath' by Arthur Wood - better known as the theme to a certain long-running radio drama serial ("tum-ti-tum-ti-tum-ti-tum, tum-ti-tum-ti tum tum ..."). Billy Connolly once said that this tune should replace "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem. I notice that Archers Addicts can now download it as a ring tone ...
Last Sunday I played in the annual Northampton Symphony Orchestra 'Christmas Cracker' concert at Spinney Hill Theatre, Northampton. This is always a really enjoyable afternoon with a wide range of festive and film music (including Star Wars and Harry Potter this year), a narrated piece (Howard Blake's 'The Snowman') and carols for the audience to sing - plus the obligatory mulled wine and mince pies. And each year the orchestra seems to be slightly more festooned with tinsel, reindeer antlers and santa hats! The 'Christmas Cracker' is always a popular concert and this year we had an audience of more than 500 - that's a lot of mince pices! Part of the attraction might have been our compere, local actor Arnold Peters - perhaps better known as 'Jack Woolley' from 'The Archers'. As well as introducing the concert he gave a very creditable performance in conducting the orchestra in Walton's 'Popular Song' from 'Facade'. Our encore, somewhat inevitably was the maypole dance 'Barwick Green' from the suite 'My Native Heath' by Arthur Wood - better known as the theme to a certain long-running radio drama serial ("tum-ti-tum-ti-tum-ti-tum, tum-ti-tum-ti tum tum ..."). Billy Connolly once said that this tune should replace "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem. I notice that Archers Addicts can now download it as a ring tone ...
Buckinghamshire Chamber Orchestra concert
13 December 2006
On Saturday I was playing with Buckinghamshire Chamber Orchestra at a concert in St Peter and Paul's Church in Buckingham. I last played with the orchestra in its inaugural concert in June 2004 and I think they've made impressive progress (from what was actually a pretty good start). The programme this time included Beethoven's 2nd symphony and the Mozart concerto for flute and harp. I rarely play classical repertoire with such a small orchestra but I always find it extremely rewarding - and surprisingly hard work! Every note becomes immensely important and you need great attention detail and an exhausting degree on concentration. We opened the concert with the 'Siegfried Idyll' by Wagner. This piece was a surprise birthday present for Wagner's wife, Cosima - she awoke on her birthday on Christmas Day 1870 to hear the music she thought she had been dreaming wafting into her bedroom from an orchestra positioned on the stairs. It's a gorgeous work which I haven't played for many years and I really enjoyed rediscovering it.
On Saturday I was playing with Buckinghamshire Chamber Orchestra at a concert in St Peter and Paul's Church in Buckingham. I last played with the orchestra in its inaugural concert in June 2004 and I think they've made impressive progress (from what was actually a pretty good start). The programme this time included Beethoven's 2nd symphony and the Mozart concerto for flute and harp. I rarely play classical repertoire with such a small orchestra but I always find it extremely rewarding - and surprisingly hard work! Every note becomes immensely important and you need great attention detail and an exhausting degree on concentration. We opened the concert with the 'Siegfried Idyll' by Wagner. This piece was a surprise birthday present for Wagner's wife, Cosima - she awoke on her birthday on Christmas Day 1870 to hear the music she thought she had been dreaming wafting into her bedroom from an orchestra positioned on the stairs. It's a gorgeous work which I haven't played for many years and I really enjoyed rediscovering it.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Danesborough Chorus concert
8 December 2006
On Saturday we made the short journey through the deer park to Woburn Church for a carol concert by our local choral society, Danesborough Chorus. The choir was joined by the brass section from the Milton Keynes City Orchestra for a lovely mixture of festive fare. The highlight for me was Monteverdi’s ‘Deus in Adiutorium’, for which the brass were placed behind the audience at the opposite end of the church to the choir – recreating the magnificent effect of 17th century surround sound!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
'Margrave of the Marshes' by John Peel and Sheila Ravenscroft
30 November 2006
John Peel had only completed the first part of his autobiography before he died suddenly in Peru in October 2004. ‘Margrave of the Marshes’ was completed by his wife, Sheila, and is very much ‘a game of two halves’. After reading the introduction by their four children I was worried I was going to find the whole experience too sad and tearful but once you get into the book it is fascinating, entertaining and very funny. You can really hear Peel’s distinctive voice in his writing and his rambling style and constant digressions mean that, although his part of the narrative finishes in 1964 (as he heads towards a Mexican brothel!), he manages to include many more recent anecdotes. It is actually quite refreshing and revealing to then get Sheila’s perspective – embellished with quotes from John’s diary. There are some great ‘Zelig’ moments – with John standing in the background at various historic events. There are also some very familiar old friends – like the story of the Bay City Rollers on an island in a lake in Mallory Park. This is the story of popular music through the second half of the twentieth century. This is the story of the development of music broadcasting. This is the story of the trials and tribulations of Liverpool Football Club. This is the story of a slightly portly, bearded, balding gentleman in a comfortable pullover. But above all this is the story of an enduring, loving marriage.
John Peel had only completed the first part of his autobiography before he died suddenly in Peru in October 2004. ‘Margrave of the Marshes’ was completed by his wife, Sheila, and is very much ‘a game of two halves’. After reading the introduction by their four children I was worried I was going to find the whole experience too sad and tearful but once you get into the book it is fascinating, entertaining and very funny. You can really hear Peel’s distinctive voice in his writing and his rambling style and constant digressions mean that, although his part of the narrative finishes in 1964 (as he heads towards a Mexican brothel!), he manages to include many more recent anecdotes. It is actually quite refreshing and revealing to then get Sheila’s perspective – embellished with quotes from John’s diary. There are some great ‘Zelig’ moments – with John standing in the background at various historic events. There are also some very familiar old friends – like the story of the Bay City Rollers on an island in a lake in Mallory Park. This is the story of popular music through the second half of the twentieth century. This is the story of the development of music broadcasting. This is the story of the trials and tribulations of Liverpool Football Club. This is the story of a slightly portly, bearded, balding gentleman in a comfortable pullover. But above all this is the story of an enduring, loving marriage.
Monday, November 20, 2006
'Ys' by Joanna Newsom
20 November 2006
There has been a lot of praise in the press for ‘Ys’ – the second album by Joanna Newsom – the 24-year old harpist/singer/songwriter from California. I caught up with her first CD ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’ earlier this year. It’s a bizarre but strangely uplifting experience. Newsom sings beautiful melodies with incomprehensibly pretentious lyrics with an often squealing, screeching voice, accompanying herself on the harp. Impossible to categorise, she blends elements of folk with the pomposity of prog rock in an atmosphere more like classical chamber music. At first, her music can seem almost completely unlistenable but perseverance opens up a captivating beauty. ‘Ys’ builds on the remarkable experience of ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’ by lengthening the songs (the CD contains just 5 long tracks) and added gorgeous string arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. The result is hard to describe but the word ‘masterpiece’ springs to mind: Joanna Newsom is an acquired taste – but one well worth acquiring!
There has been a lot of praise in the press for ‘Ys’ – the second album by Joanna Newsom – the 24-year old harpist/singer/songwriter from California. I caught up with her first CD ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’ earlier this year. It’s a bizarre but strangely uplifting experience. Newsom sings beautiful melodies with incomprehensibly pretentious lyrics with an often squealing, screeching voice, accompanying herself on the harp. Impossible to categorise, she blends elements of folk with the pomposity of prog rock in an atmosphere more like classical chamber music. At first, her music can seem almost completely unlistenable but perseverance opens up a captivating beauty. ‘Ys’ builds on the remarkable experience of ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’ by lengthening the songs (the CD contains just 5 long tracks) and added gorgeous string arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. The result is hard to describe but the word ‘masterpiece’ springs to mind: Joanna Newsom is an acquired taste – but one well worth acquiring!
Milton Keynes Sinfonia concert
20 November 2006
Another week, another Shostakovich symphony … On Saturday I was playing with Milton Keynes Sinfonia in a concert including Shostakovich’s 9th Symphony – a shorter, lighter and less angry work than the 10th – Shostakovich more in music theatre mode – with wonderful solos in the 2nd and 4th movements for clarinet and bassoon (wonderfully played on this occasion!). But the concert was dominated by an amazing performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto by Bálint Székely. Bálint was born in 1977 in Marosvásárhely (Tg.-Mures), Transylvania and came to London in 1993 to study at the Purcell School of Music and the Royal College of Music. He is a very quiet, bashful young man but a jaw-droppingly brilliant violinist. At our rehearsal last Thursday he played the virtuoso passages of the concerto with ease, effortlessly improvising and trying a host of different approaches as we tried to raise our game to keep up. I have never known a rehearsal where an orchestra applauded a soloist so often and with such fervour! His performance on Saturday was stunning – particularly a mesmerising cadenza in the 1st movement. The Sibelius Violin Concerto was already one of my favourite pieces of music but I’ve fallen in love with it all over again in the last week – the slow movement must be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. It was a real privilege to accompany Bálint Székely – note the name and watch out for him!
Friday, November 17, 2006
'Gulag Orkestar' by Beirut
17 November 2006
I am grateful to reviews of the CD 'Gulag Orkestar' by Beirut that caught my attention in both the Observer and the Guardian. Beirut is 20-year-old Zach Condon from Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 'Gulag Orkestar' he has taken the raucous but controlled mayhem of the Balkan brass sound (a particular favourite of mine), added an odd assortment of instruments including ukulele, accordion and primitive Casio keyboard, and created a great album of pop songs. There are traces of the quirky vocals of David Byrne and the swirling repetitive melodies of The Blue Nile - with the omnipresent Balkan mixture of upbeat dance music tinged with melancholic foreboding. But the sum of these parts is like nothing you've heard before. Wonderful.
I am grateful to reviews of the CD 'Gulag Orkestar' by Beirut that caught my attention in both the Observer and the Guardian. Beirut is 20-year-old Zach Condon from Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 'Gulag Orkestar' he has taken the raucous but controlled mayhem of the Balkan brass sound (a particular favourite of mine), added an odd assortment of instruments including ukulele, accordion and primitive Casio keyboard, and created a great album of pop songs. There are traces of the quirky vocals of David Byrne and the swirling repetitive melodies of The Blue Nile - with the omnipresent Balkan mixture of upbeat dance music tinged with melancholic foreboding. But the sum of these parts is like nothing you've heard before. Wonderful.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
14 November 2006
Our latest Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday included the Dvorak Cello Concerto - one of the great romantic concertos - and Symphony No. 10 by Shostakovich - a long, dark and angry work which reflects on the reality of living in Stalinist Russia. I suspect some Shotakovich symphonies are much more fun to play than to listen to - the 10th is certainly not easygoing for an audience - but it is an exciting and impressive work and we had a substantial and enthusiastic audience for it on Saturday.
Our latest Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday included the Dvorak Cello Concerto - one of the great romantic concertos - and Symphony No. 10 by Shostakovich - a long, dark and angry work which reflects on the reality of living in Stalinist Russia. I suspect some Shotakovich symphonies are much more fun to play than to listen to - the 10th is certainly not easygoing for an audience - but it is an exciting and impressive work and we had a substantial and enthusiastic audience for it on Saturday.
Friday, November 10, 2006
'NewsBiscuit'
10 November 2006
I've just discovered the new British spoof news website, 'Newsbiscuit':
newsbiscuit.com
They add at least one new story each day which means there's some very topical stuff - I liked the piece 'Euphoria fades as British observers unsure what US results actually mean'. You can also see breaking news stories (or even add them yourself if you like). As an Archers enthusiast I was shocked to see that "Fans have been stunned by the revelations that the new plot line will see members of the cast involved in activities such as farming, both agricultural and horticultural, and other countryside issues." Newsbiscuit is not quite the Framley Examiner (still my favourite) but very promising and well worth a look.
I've just discovered the new British spoof news website, 'Newsbiscuit':
newsbiscuit.com
They add at least one new story each day which means there's some very topical stuff - I liked the piece 'Euphoria fades as British observers unsure what US results actually mean'. You can also see breaking news stories (or even add them yourself if you like). As an Archers enthusiast I was shocked to see that "Fans have been stunned by the revelations that the new plot line will see members of the cast involved in activities such as farming, both agricultural and horticultural, and other countryside issues." Newsbiscuit is not quite the Framley Examiner (still my favourite) but very promising and well worth a look.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
'Follies' by Stephen Sondheim
2 November 2006
We’ve been really looking forward to the reopening of our favourite local theatre – the Royal Theatre in Northampton. Just after we moved to the area in 1999 the Royal – a small but lovely Victorian proscenium arch theatre was taken into joint ownership with the Derngate (a large 1970s concert hall/theatre immediately next door). This enabled the company to maintain an eclectic mix of theatrical productions and concerts, with large scale commercial productions subsidising the more experimental. The Royal and Derngate was one of the few places in the country to be able to stage Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘House’ and ‘Garden’ – two interlinked plays performed simultaneously with the same cast – actors running between the two theatres to make sure they made their cues.
We enjoyed the development of a programme of innovative in-house productions at the Royal over the last few years under the guidance of the exciting artistic director Rupert Goold. These included a great ‘Othello’, ‘Paradise Lost’ and an amazing interpretation of ‘Doctor Faustus’ which interwove the Marlowe text with a contemporary story about the Britart enfants terribles, the Chapman brothers, defacing Goya paintings. When the theatre closed for a major refurbishment 18 months ago the final production was ‘Hamlet’ set in a disused theatre – the curtain opening to reveal a set which was the precise mirror image of the actual Royal auditorium. During the closure they were unfortunately unable to hang on to Goold (Northampton’s loss was Oxford’s gain and he recently made his directorial debut at the RSC in Stratford) but his place has been taken by Laurie Sansom (who was previously at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough).
After 18 months the Royal and Derngate opened again (on time!) a couple of weeks ago. We made our first visit last Saturday and it’s a fantastic transformation. The public spaces (foyer, bars etc) of the two theatres have been completely combined to create a huge, lofty and open entrance hall with numerous levels and raised walkways. There is a new education/outreach centre (with its own children’s entrance). Both auditoria have been completely refurbished while preserving their distinctly different characters. The Royal has been restored to its 1884 glory – providing a breathtaking contrast when entering from the very modern foyer. It all looks lovely and it was very exciting rediscovering the building after its transformation.
Sansom’s opening production in the Royal is Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Follies’ – a musical about an old theatre about to be demolished. This tale of a reunion of the Follies girls 30 years on was an ambitious undertaking – requiring a huge cast. There are numerous ‘ladies of a certain age’ who revisit the dilapidated theatre and perform their party pieces one last time – shadowed by their younger selves. The masterstroke in this production was to cast local amateurs as the aging Follies girls (with a professional cast playing the leads and the ‘ghosts’). They had a dozen of the stars of the amateur dramatic and operatic societies from Northampton and Kettering – each of whom was fantastic. They each got their moment in the spotlight as the musical gives each ‘girl’ a showpiece number (including ‘Broadway Baby’ and ‘I’m Still Here’). Talking with friends in the interval I was delighted to discover that they had not realised some of the cast were amateurs and could not see the joins.
There were some wonderful song and dance numbers and the choreography where the young ‘ghosts’ shadow the performance of the aging stars was really slick (particularly in the tap routine ‘Mirror, mirror’). I was very pleased to see that the show got a four star review from Michael Billington in The Guardian (on a rare excursion outside London). Overall it was an excellent example of professional/amateur collaboration, a wonderful demonstration of the quality and strength of local amateur theatre and a super way to relaunch the venue. It was great!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
'Burlesque' by Bellowhead
24 October 2006
There are exciting things happening in English folk music. My latest enthusiasm is for Bellowhead - the folk 'big band' created by two of the stars of the new wave of folk musicians, John Spiers and Jon Boden. I first encountered Bellowhead through their showstopping performance at the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. I saw them live at WOMAD in July 2006. Now I am enjoying their first album, 'Burlesque'. In Bellowhead the fiddle and accordion of Spiers & Boden are augmented by a host of musicians including a great brass section featuring that quintessential English folk instrument, the sousaphone! Their take on a range of traditional tunes is fast, furious and funky - great stuff.
There are exciting things happening in English folk music. My latest enthusiasm is for Bellowhead - the folk 'big band' created by two of the stars of the new wave of folk musicians, John Spiers and Jon Boden. I first encountered Bellowhead through their showstopping performance at the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. I saw them live at WOMAD in July 2006. Now I am enjoying their first album, 'Burlesque'. In Bellowhead the fiddle and accordion of Spiers & Boden are augmented by a host of musicians including a great brass section featuring that quintessential English folk instrument, the sousaphone! Their take on a range of traditional tunes is fast, furious and funky - great stuff.
Monday, October 23, 2006
'Past Half Remembered' by NIE
23 October 2006
We nearly saw the play 'Past Half Remembered' at the Edinburgh Fringe in August where it was well reviewed. Last Saturday we got another chance as its tour reached the Hat Factory in Luton. 'Past Half Remembered' is the tale of a 100-year old Russian woman reflecting on her life - including experiences of the First World War and the 1917 revolution. But the show is more about how the story is told - as 6 actors compete with each other to act out the tale. The company, NIE (New International Encounter), specialises in bringing together actors from across Europe and this production was performed in Czech, French, English, Norwegian and Russian. The multi-lingualism is seemlessly done and extremely entertaining. The playful approach to storytelling - with great slapstick, live music and hilarious crosstalk - is extremely theatrical. A really enjoyable evening - added to by being serenaded into the theatre at the beginning after we had been plied with complementary vodka and Russian tea poured from a samovar. It was just a shame there wasn't a bigger audience: this was very much an Edinburgh fringe show - close, intimate, with a minimal set and lasting just over an hour - but out of the fringe context it seems difficult to draw sufficient audiences for this kind of work. If you have a chance to catch the current tour please do.
We nearly saw the play 'Past Half Remembered' at the Edinburgh Fringe in August where it was well reviewed. Last Saturday we got another chance as its tour reached the Hat Factory in Luton. 'Past Half Remembered' is the tale of a 100-year old Russian woman reflecting on her life - including experiences of the First World War and the 1917 revolution. But the show is more about how the story is told - as 6 actors compete with each other to act out the tale. The company, NIE (New International Encounter), specialises in bringing together actors from across Europe and this production was performed in Czech, French, English, Norwegian and Russian. The multi-lingualism is seemlessly done and extremely entertaining. The playful approach to storytelling - with great slapstick, live music and hilarious crosstalk - is extremely theatrical. A really enjoyable evening - added to by being serenaded into the theatre at the beginning after we had been plied with complementary vodka and Russian tea poured from a samovar. It was just a shame there wasn't a bigger audience: this was very much an Edinburgh fringe show - close, intimate, with a minimal set and lasting just over an hour - but out of the fringe context it seems difficult to draw sufficient audiences for this kind of work. If you have a chance to catch the current tour please do.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
'Kafka on the Shore' by Haruki Murakami
19 October 2006
I first discovered the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami through David Mitchell whose novel 'number9dream' (a favourite of mine) was heavily influenced by Murakami's 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle'. I've just finished reading Murakami's latest novel 'Kafka on the Shore' (translated by Philip Gabriel). Like most of his books it centres on a young protagonist in contemporary Japan (in this case a 15-year old boy running away from home to try to escape an oedipal prohecy) but the modern, urban, commercial setting is gently invaded by hints of surrealism, magical-realism or maybe the spirit-world. There are many explicit and hidden references to popular and classical music as well as elements of Greek tragedy. Two apparently disconnected plots gradually (and satisfyingly) converge with a strong underlying momentum of fate and destiny. I can see why Murakami is seen as a hip, cool writer but I also find him compelling, immensely entertaining and very funny. He creates some wonderfully quirky comic characters - bits of this novel reminded me of Douglas Adams' 'Dirk Gently' novels. I love Murakami's style, playfulness and mystery - even if I'm not sure I always understand him. 'Kafka on the Shore' is 500 pages long but I would have liked 500 more!
I first discovered the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami through David Mitchell whose novel 'number9dream' (a favourite of mine) was heavily influenced by Murakami's 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle'. I've just finished reading Murakami's latest novel 'Kafka on the Shore' (translated by Philip Gabriel). Like most of his books it centres on a young protagonist in contemporary Japan (in this case a 15-year old boy running away from home to try to escape an oedipal prohecy) but the modern, urban, commercial setting is gently invaded by hints of surrealism, magical-realism or maybe the spirit-world. There are many explicit and hidden references to popular and classical music as well as elements of Greek tragedy. Two apparently disconnected plots gradually (and satisfyingly) converge with a strong underlying momentum of fate and destiny. I can see why Murakami is seen as a hip, cool writer but I also find him compelling, immensely entertaining and very funny. He creates some wonderfully quirky comic characters - bits of this novel reminded me of Douglas Adams' 'Dirk Gently' novels. I love Murakami's style, playfulness and mystery - even if I'm not sure I always understand him. 'Kafka on the Shore' is 500 pages long but I would have liked 500 more!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Helsinki
9 October 2006
I've had a really enjoyable few days in Helsinki at the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage conference - my first trip to Finland. Helsinki is a wonderful city - beautiful buildings, a harbour right in the centre of the city, fishing boats selling herring on the quayside, a wide tree-lined esplanade, a mixture of Russian and Scandinavian influences, and polite, helpful people. Culturally, the towering figure of Jean Sibelius (one of my favourite composers) seems omnipresent: as I came up the escaltaor at the Central Railway Station (itself an amazing cultural icon) I gradually became aware of the faint strains of a busker playing something vaguely familar on a recorder - by the time I reached the top I realised it was the slow, gentle Finnish folk tune that Sibelius used in 'Finlandia'. At the conference we were treated to a performance by a local choir representing Kassandra - an organisation that brings together immigrants to Finland from different cultural backgrounds. The choir sang in a wide variety of styles including Bulgarian and South African songs which it had learned from members from those countries. Finally, in Helsinki Airport awaiting my return flight I picked up a DVD of my favourite Finnish folk/rock group, Värttinä. I'm looking forward to returning to Helsinki for a longer visit sometime soon.
I've had a really enjoyable few days in Helsinki at the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage conference - my first trip to Finland. Helsinki is a wonderful city - beautiful buildings, a harbour right in the centre of the city, fishing boats selling herring on the quayside, a wide tree-lined esplanade, a mixture of Russian and Scandinavian influences, and polite, helpful people. Culturally, the towering figure of Jean Sibelius (one of my favourite composers) seems omnipresent: as I came up the escaltaor at the Central Railway Station (itself an amazing cultural icon) I gradually became aware of the faint strains of a busker playing something vaguely familar on a recorder - by the time I reached the top I realised it was the slow, gentle Finnish folk tune that Sibelius used in 'Finlandia'. At the conference we were treated to a performance by a local choir representing Kassandra - an organisation that brings together immigrants to Finland from different cultural backgrounds. The choir sang in a wide variety of styles including Bulgarian and South African songs which it had learned from members from those countries. Finally, in Helsinki Airport awaiting my return flight I picked up a DVD of my favourite Finnish folk/rock group, Värttinä. I'm looking forward to returning to Helsinki for a longer visit sometime soon.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
'Overtaken' by Alexei Sayle
4 October 2006
I had read and enjoyed Alexei Sayle's first book of short stories, 'Barcelona Plates' and was looking forward to this, his first novel. Having finished it I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The setting (a group of thirtysomething friends in the North West of England in the early years of the 21st century) and the style had me comparing it with Nick Hornby or John O'Farrell but Sayle takes us into darker territory: violence, revenge and grotesque characters. But there is also some really interesting stuff on the power of art, the nature of friendship, addiction, grief and guilt. He also has some great wordplay and running jokes which are subtle and easy to miss. Though there was humour he seems to have backed away from comic set-pieces. I read it very quickly and it held my attention but I felt a little disappointed at the end. I'm not sure whether the ending was a fantastic coup-de-theatre which I haven't yet understood or just a running out of steam. Intriguing, thought-provoking and unpredictable.
I had read and enjoyed Alexei Sayle's first book of short stories, 'Barcelona Plates' and was looking forward to this, his first novel. Having finished it I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The setting (a group of thirtysomething friends in the North West of England in the early years of the 21st century) and the style had me comparing it with Nick Hornby or John O'Farrell but Sayle takes us into darker territory: violence, revenge and grotesque characters. But there is also some really interesting stuff on the power of art, the nature of friendship, addiction, grief and guilt. He also has some great wordplay and running jokes which are subtle and easy to miss. Though there was humour he seems to have backed away from comic set-pieces. I read it very quickly and it held my attention but I felt a little disappointed at the end. I'm not sure whether the ending was a fantastic coup-de-theatre which I haven't yet understood or just a running out of steam. Intriguing, thought-provoking and unpredictable.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
'The Producers' by Mel Brooks
24 September 2006
I'm not a real fan of musicals but we have had some of Jeannie's relations from Montana staying with us and 14-year old Gabrielle was determined to see a big West End show during her first visit to London. So we queued at the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square and came away with tickets for 'The Producers' - Mel Brooks' musicalisation of his much-loved 1968 film. I knew the show had received very good reviews but even as it started I was still sceptical. By the interval I was completely won over, and by the time we got to the 'Springtime for Hitler' mock Busby Berkeley routine there were tears rolling down my cheeks - it was fantastic! The most fun I've had in a theatre for years - absolutely brilliant!
I'm not a real fan of musicals but we have had some of Jeannie's relations from Montana staying with us and 14-year old Gabrielle was determined to see a big West End show during her first visit to London. So we queued at the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square and came away with tickets for 'The Producers' - Mel Brooks' musicalisation of his much-loved 1968 film. I knew the show had received very good reviews but even as it started I was still sceptical. By the interval I was completely won over, and by the time we got to the 'Springtime for Hitler' mock Busby Berkeley routine there were tears rolling down my cheeks - it was fantastic! The most fun I've had in a theatre for years - absolutely brilliant!
Friday, September 22, 2006
'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro
22 September 2006
Kathy H. is 31 and looking back over her life, particularly her days at Hailsham - a boarding school for very special children. Much of her story is a recognisable tale of childhood but beneath it there is an nagging feeling that all is not quite what it seems: this is a parallel universe and these children are being prepared for a very special purpose. 'Never Let Me Go' is science fiction, I suppose, but extremely subtle science fiction. Ishiguro has a particularly measured style: you feel that each word has been very carefully and deliberately chosen. Kathy's reminiscences are not linear and you gradually build up a picture of her life as she flits backwards and forwards in recounting her history. I have really enjoyed Ishiguro's other novels - including 'When We Were Orphans' and even the impenetrably surreal dreamworld of 'The Unconsoled'. This book has a similar tone but is much more straightforward in terms of plot. Essentially it's a love story - gentle, moving and very very sad.
Kathy H. is 31 and looking back over her life, particularly her days at Hailsham - a boarding school for very special children. Much of her story is a recognisable tale of childhood but beneath it there is an nagging feeling that all is not quite what it seems: this is a parallel universe and these children are being prepared for a very special purpose. 'Never Let Me Go' is science fiction, I suppose, but extremely subtle science fiction. Ishiguro has a particularly measured style: you feel that each word has been very carefully and deliberately chosen. Kathy's reminiscences are not linear and you gradually build up a picture of her life as she flits backwards and forwards in recounting her history. I have really enjoyed Ishiguro's other novels - including 'When We Were Orphans' and even the impenetrably surreal dreamworld of 'The Unconsoled'. This book has a similar tone but is much more straightforward in terms of plot. Essentially it's a love story - gentle, moving and very very sad.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' by K'Naan
19 September 2006
I'm really enjoying 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' - the debut CD by Somali/Canadian rapper K'Naan. Andy Kershaw starting championing him some months ago on his Radio 3 show and I saw part of K'Naan's set at WOMAD in July but I wasn't sure it was my kind of thing. Nevertheless I thought I would give the album a go and it's really hooked me now. As a young boy K'Naan escaped war-torn Somalia on the last commercial flight out of Mogadishu in 1991 and eventually settled in Canada. Now he is rapping in English with a Canadian accent (which reminds me of another Canadian rapper, Spek) about his childhood and the plight of his homeland. 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' is a refreshing mix of styles and approaches but still feels like a single rounded work. There's a little swearing here and there but this is intelligent, revealing, funny and very catchy rap. "Why are his feet so dusty?!"
I'm really enjoying 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' - the debut CD by Somali/Canadian rapper K'Naan. Andy Kershaw starting championing him some months ago on his Radio 3 show and I saw part of K'Naan's set at WOMAD in July but I wasn't sure it was my kind of thing. Nevertheless I thought I would give the album a go and it's really hooked me now. As a young boy K'Naan escaped war-torn Somalia on the last commercial flight out of Mogadishu in 1991 and eventually settled in Canada. Now he is rapping in English with a Canadian accent (which reminds me of another Canadian rapper, Spek) about his childhood and the plight of his homeland. 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' is a refreshing mix of styles and approaches but still feels like a single rounded work. There's a little swearing here and there but this is intelligent, revealing, funny and very catchy rap. "Why are his feet so dusty?!"
Monday, September 11, 2006
'The Plot Against America' by Philip Roth
11 September 2006
It is 1940 in an America remarkably similar to the one we are familiar with - but here aviator Charles Lindbergh sweeps to victory in the US Presidential election, develops strong links with Hitler's Germany and keeps America out of the Second World War. The creeping anti-Semitism of the Lindbergh administration is seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy and his family in Newark, New Jersey. This is a nightmare vision played out very carefully and subtlely by Roth. He resists the temptation to tear his imaginary world too far away from the real thing and the closeness to real events and real people makes it all the more believable. His prose is dense with meticulous attention to detail and his first person narrator - the boy Philip with an adult hindsight - often flits back and forth chronologically in retelling particular incidents, all of which makes this a book which demands your attention - but is nontheless gripping. Occasionally I found the jump away from domestic family life to the macro political story a little too disjointed (as was also the case in Louis de Bernieres' 'Captain Correlli's Mandolin'). But viewing the small incremental changes in American society through the local life of the boy's family and friends provides a fascinating insight into how such apparently 'evil' regimes win popular acclaim. I was reminded of Edgar Reitz's 'Heimat' which shows the development of fascism in Germany through the eyes of a small local community. But as well as demonstrating the ways in which fascism could take hold of a democracy in the 1940s, 'The Plot Against America' is also (perhaps primarily) a post-9/11 novel drawing parallels between Jews then and Muslims now. A clever, chilling and thought-provoking work.
It is 1940 in an America remarkably similar to the one we are familiar with - but here aviator Charles Lindbergh sweeps to victory in the US Presidential election, develops strong links with Hitler's Germany and keeps America out of the Second World War. The creeping anti-Semitism of the Lindbergh administration is seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy and his family in Newark, New Jersey. This is a nightmare vision played out very carefully and subtlely by Roth. He resists the temptation to tear his imaginary world too far away from the real thing and the closeness to real events and real people makes it all the more believable. His prose is dense with meticulous attention to detail and his first person narrator - the boy Philip with an adult hindsight - often flits back and forth chronologically in retelling particular incidents, all of which makes this a book which demands your attention - but is nontheless gripping. Occasionally I found the jump away from domestic family life to the macro political story a little too disjointed (as was also the case in Louis de Bernieres' 'Captain Correlli's Mandolin'). But viewing the small incremental changes in American society through the local life of the boy's family and friends provides a fascinating insight into how such apparently 'evil' regimes win popular acclaim. I was reminded of Edgar Reitz's 'Heimat' which shows the development of fascism in Germany through the eyes of a small local community. But as well as demonstrating the ways in which fascism could take hold of a democracy in the 1940s, 'The Plot Against America' is also (perhaps primarily) a post-9/11 novel drawing parallels between Jews then and Muslims now. A clever, chilling and thought-provoking work.
Monday, August 28, 2006
'Tamburlaine Must Die' by Louise Welsh
28 August 2006
"I have four candles and one evening in which to complete this account" - writes Christopher Marlowe at the start of the novella 'Tamburlaine Must Die' by Louise Welsh. Well it only took me one candle to read it! This is a very short book but a believable trip into the dark streets and noisy taverns of Elizabethan London. I was hoping for a few more twists and turns in the plot but it was interesting and well-written. Would make a good radio play.
"I have four candles and one evening in which to complete this account" - writes Christopher Marlowe at the start of the novella 'Tamburlaine Must Die' by Louise Welsh. Well it only took me one candle to read it! This is a very short book but a believable trip into the dark streets and noisy taverns of Elizabethan London. I was hoping for a few more twists and turns in the plot but it was interesting and well-written. Would make a good radio play.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
‘Dore’ by Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion
24 August 2006
I've also been listening to the album ‘Dore’ by Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion which is incredibly varied and interesting – a really eclectic mix of rock, folk, country, pop and more – with an equally wide-ranging instrumentation including saxophone, brass, pedal steel guitar and harp. Intriguing and accessible – it’s really growing on me. Listen to samples at www.tradtunes.com
I've also been listening to the album ‘Dore’ by Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion which is incredibly varied and interesting – a really eclectic mix of rock, folk, country, pop and more – with an equally wide-ranging instrumentation including saxophone, brass, pedal steel guitar and harp. Intriguing and accessible – it’s really growing on me. Listen to samples at www.tradtunes.com
‘Gweini Tymor’ by Siân James
24 August 2006
I’ve been listening to some contemporary Welsh music this week. I’ve tried ‘Gweini Tymor’ – an album of traditional Welsh folk songs arranged and performed by Siân James. These are beautiful, quiet, contemplative songs with sparse accompaniment featuring some lovely harp playing. You can hear samples of this album and many more at www.tradtunes.com
I’ve been listening to some contemporary Welsh music this week. I’ve tried ‘Gweini Tymor’ – an album of traditional Welsh folk songs arranged and performed by Siân James. These are beautiful, quiet, contemplative songs with sparse accompaniment featuring some lovely harp playing. You can hear samples of this album and many more at www.tradtunes.com
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Edinburgh Festivals 2006
17 August 2006
Just a brief visit to the delights of the Edinburgh Festivals this August but still time to pack in something like 15 shows. Particular highlights so far (at the time of writing) include a wonderful performance of Beethoven's 'Eroica' symphony by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras at the Usher Hall on Tuesday, the live broadcasts of BBC Radio Scotland's 'MacAulay & Co' at the Spiegel Garden, Tony Benn talking about democracy at The Radio Cafe - and loads of great Fringe theatre. We particularly like the intensity of high quality performances in small, out of the way venues. Yesterday we saw 'The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches' - an adaptation of the Quebecois novel by Gaétan Soucy at the Underbelly - inventive, funny, strange and fantastically acted. Still not sure exactly what it was about but we were still talking about it for hours afterwards!
Just a brief visit to the delights of the Edinburgh Festivals this August but still time to pack in something like 15 shows. Particular highlights so far (at the time of writing) include a wonderful performance of Beethoven's 'Eroica' symphony by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras at the Usher Hall on Tuesday, the live broadcasts of BBC Radio Scotland's 'MacAulay & Co' at the Spiegel Garden, Tony Benn talking about democracy at The Radio Cafe - and loads of great Fringe theatre. We particularly like the intensity of high quality performances in small, out of the way venues. Yesterday we saw 'The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches' - an adaptation of the Quebecois novel by Gaétan Soucy at the Underbelly - inventive, funny, strange and fantastically acted. Still not sure exactly what it was about but we were still talking about it for hours afterwards!
'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare
17 August 2006
On Saturday we were in the lovely village of Alderton, just off the A5 north of Milton Keynes, to see an open air performance of Romeo and Juliet by the touring company Heartbreak Productions. Unfortunately the weather wasn't ideal - and the wind in the trees made some of the dialogue difficult to hear - but it was still a very enjoyable evening. It was an energetic and enthusiastic production with some inventive devices. I particularly liked the idea of having the Montagues and Capulets in colour coded football shirts with the characters' names written on the back.
On Saturday we were in the lovely village of Alderton, just off the A5 north of Milton Keynes, to see an open air performance of Romeo and Juliet by the touring company Heartbreak Productions. Unfortunately the weather wasn't ideal - and the wind in the trees made some of the dialogue difficult to hear - but it was still a very enjoyable evening. It was an energetic and enthusiastic production with some inventive devices. I particularly liked the idea of having the Montagues and Capulets in colour coded football shirts with the characters' names written on the back.
Friday, August 11, 2006
'We need to talk about Kevin' by Lionel Shriver
11 August 2006
I have been reading 'We need to talk about Kevin' by Lionel Shriver - an amazing novel. It takes the form of letters from the mother of a teenager who has committed a Columbine-style high school massacre to her estranged husband. Much of the subject matter is distressing and makes for uncomfortable reading - though it is not without humour. But I found it completely compelling - very clever and well-written - a gripping and emotional ride that made me feel like I had been holding my breath throughout - and made me burst into tears after finishing the final page - brilliant!
I have been reading 'We need to talk about Kevin' by Lionel Shriver - an amazing novel. It takes the form of letters from the mother of a teenager who has committed a Columbine-style high school massacre to her estranged husband. Much of the subject matter is distressing and makes for uncomfortable reading - though it is not without humour. But I found it completely compelling - very clever and well-written - a gripping and emotional ride that made me feel like I had been holding my breath throughout - and made me burst into tears after finishing the final page - brilliant!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
WOMAD Festival, Reading
4 August 2006
I had a wonderful weekend at the WOMAD Festival. I saw 16 full performances and dipped in and out of many more – seeing a total of 39 bands in 3 days! Loads of fantastic music and a lovely atmosphere as always.
The highlights for me were the beautiful, haunting sound of the Chinese bamboo flute played by Guo Yue, eclectic dance music with a political message from Mexican band Los De Abajo, exquisite Indian classical music from the maestro of the slide-guitar Debashish Bhattacharya and the amazing sound of Mitsoura – electronic dance music combining traditional gypsy music from Hungary and Rajasthan.
But I think my favourite was the great Finnish folk/rock band Värttinä, whose music I have enjoyed for some years – it was fantastic to finally see them live. The three female vocalists produce scrunching harmonies against complex syncopated rhythms in a truly theatrical performance. If, like me, you got a bit bored with rock music and fancy something accessible, catchy but refreshingly different you might like to try Värttinä. I would recommend starting with their 2003 CD ‘iki’ which you will find in the World Music section of most larger music shops – or see www.varttina.com for more details.
‘Inside Job’ by Brian Clemens
27 July 2006
Last weekend we had a lovely couple of days staying with friends in Norfolk – including a trip to one of our favourite places, the old fashioned seaside town of Sheringham. We rounded off the day with a visit to the Little Theatre in Sheringham which always has a summer repertory season. We saw a thriller called ‘Inside Job’ by Brian Clemens which was good fun with plenty of plot twists – and it was only at the end that we remembered we had seen it before some years ago (probably at the Little Theatre, Sheringham!).
‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’ by Alexander McCall Smith
21 July 2006
I’ve just finished reading ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’ by Alexander McCall Smith – an enjoyable, genteel mystery from the author of ‘The Number One Ladies Detective Agency’ which shows a much nicer side of Edinburgh than Ian Rankin – more Miss Marple than Inspector Rebus.
Croydon Summer Festival World Party
21 July 2006
On Saturday we were at the Croydon Summer Festival World Party – a super free festival in Lloyd Park, Croydon which we first discovered three years ago. Three stages, plenty of exotic food and drink, fairground, flags and sunshine – and some great music from Nigeria, Spain, China, Senegal, Romania and Croydon! (They always showcase the winners of the local unsigned bands contest – who invariably bring a big crowd of supporters and often make a point of thanking their school music teacher.) The main attraction for me was Ojos De Brujo – the flamenco hip-hop collective from Barcelona – exciting stuff! But I also enjoyed some of the performances on the small ‘almost acoustic’ stage – particularly Chi-2 – two Chinese violinists weaving haunting melodies over electronic beats provided by Oivind from Norway and his laptop!
‘Victory for the Comic Muse’ by The Divine Comedy
14 July 2006
I’ve been listening this week to ‘Victory for the Comic Muse’ – the new album by The Divine Comedy. Regular readers will remember that I only discovered TDC last year and have been catching up on their back catalogue. I think the new CD finds them still in good form – maybe not their best but there are some fantastic lyrics – who else would write a song called ‘Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World’?
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
14 July 2006
Last Saturday I was playing in Northampton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Friends’ Concert – a really nice occasion – a free private concert for everyone has supported us over the past 12 months by subscribing to our Friends organisation. We played a programme of works by English composers including Elgar, Arnold (inevitably!), Gordon Jacob (whose pieces for wind instruments are great fun) and George Butterworth (who wrote some beautiful music but died tragically early in the Battle of the Somme).
‘Salaam Music Village’, Kew Gardens
7 July 2006
We were at Kew Gardens on Sunday for ‘Salaam Music Village’ – a festival of Islamic music from around the world. It was a very hot, sunny day and thousands of people were trying to find whatever shade the foliage could provide while listening to groups from Morocco, Kenya, Yemen, Iraq and Bosnia. Musicians had flown in from all over the world specially for the festival but it was only the Iranian group who live in Finchley who had any travel problems – getting stuck on the North Circular Road! There was a wide variety of beautiful, rhythmic and contemplative music – my favourite was the Indonesian group from Aceh. This free festival was organised by Cultural Co-operation – an independent arts charity that promotes cross-cultural contact, dialogue and understanding (and gave free entry to Kew Gardens which usually costs £11.75!). If you’re interested and anywhere near London they are doing the whole thing again in Regent’s Park this weekend – details at www.culturalco-operation.org
We were at Kew Gardens on Sunday for ‘Salaam Music Village’ – a festival of Islamic music from around the world. It was a very hot, sunny day and thousands of people were trying to find whatever shade the foliage could provide while listening to groups from Morocco, Kenya, Yemen, Iraq and Bosnia. Musicians had flown in from all over the world specially for the festival but it was only the Iranian group who live in Finchley who had any travel problems – getting stuck on the North Circular Road! There was a wide variety of beautiful, rhythmic and contemplative music – my favourite was the Indonesian group from Aceh. This free festival was organised by Cultural Co-operation – an independent arts charity that promotes cross-cultural contact, dialogue and understanding (and gave free entry to Kew Gardens which usually costs £11.75!). If you’re interested and anywhere near London they are doing the whole thing again in Regent’s Park this weekend – details at www.culturalco-operation.org
‘Black Swan Green’ by David Mitchell
7 July 2006
I’ve just finished reading ‘Black Swan Green’ by David Mitchell. I’ve really enjoyed all four of his novels and, while this year in the life of a 13-year old boy in the Malverns in 1982 is less ambitious and more subtle than ‘Cloud Atlas’, ‘Ghostwritten’ or (my favourite) ‘number9dream’, I found it believable and touching. When we saw David Mitchell at the Oxford Literary Festival last year, he read us extracts from the unpublished manuscript of ‘Black Swan Green’ and scribbled a few amendments based on the audience reaction so it was fun trying to spot the bits of the book we helped to write!
Philharmonia concert
30 June 2006
Last Saturday we were at the Corn Exchange in Bedford to see the Philharmonia play Mahler Symphony No 1 and the first Shostakovich violin concerto with the brilliant 21-year-old Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan – very exciting stuff – a name to watch out for.
Wimbledon 2006
30 June 2006
Well, looking on the bright side, on Monday we saw 35 minutes of Kim Clijsters’ opening match at Wimbledon for free (as we got our money back!). Unfortunately we then had to spend 5 hours sheltering from the rain, waiting to see if there would be any more play – there wasn’t. We were very philosophical – having been very lucky with the weather at each of our previous visits to Wimbledon. But it was very annoying watching Henman’s exciting first round match on the TV on Tuesday and knowing we should have seen it live on Monday!
'Guardian World Cup Show' podcast
23 June 2006
I’ve been really enjoying the Guardian’s World Cup Show podcasts – a daily 30-minute ‘radio’ programme which you can download at: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/worldcupshow/ – you don’t need to actually watch any of the football – just listen to James Richardson and the team every morning. They have set up a little recording booth in a corner of one of the Guardian offices and every night at around midnight they drag a few Guardian journalists in to chat about the day’s games. They also speak on the phone to the Guardian’s reporters in Germany who have actually been at the matches. It’s all very homemade and chaotic – and great fun. They have developed some very funny running jokes and some truly awful puns.
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
23 June 2006
Last Saturday I was playing with Northampton Symphony Orchestra in a concert including the fantastic ‘Symphonic Metamorphosen’ by Hindemith – another of my favourite composers – which has one of the most exciting endings to a piece of music that I’ve played.
Kate Rusby
16 June 2006
On Monday I was back at The Stables to see one of the big stars of the young English folk revival, Kate Rusby. I had tried to get tickets for her the past couple of times she visited The Stables but she always sells out very quickly – this time I only succeeded because she added an extra date – which also eventually sold out. She was great – I love her voice (and her Barnsley accent!) – and you get the bonus of a fantastic band led by one of the top names in Scottish folk, John McCusker (who happens to be Kate Rusby’s husband). I’ve been listening to her latest CD ‘The Girl Who Couldn't Fly’ which is lovely (though I think the selection of songs is a bit patchy) – worth buying just for track 6 – the old standard ‘You Belong To Me’ which she recorded after hearing it on the soundtrack to ‘Shrek’ – she makes it her own and it’s been haunting me all week. You can download this single track for 80 pence from http://shopping.katerusby.com/item-24-The_Girl_Who_Couldn_t_Fly.aspx
‘The Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding
16 June 2006
I also read ‘The Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding for the first time – I did start it in my teens but gave up fairly early on. It is fairly slow and atmospheric but this time around I found it much more interesting. He is very good at drawing you in to the boys (stranded on an island after a plane crash with no adults around) evolving quickly into quite a grown-up model of society (with a leader, ‘parliament’, allocated responsibilities etc) then reminding you that they are still very young. Ralph, for example, (who is 12 years old) fast becomes a mature and thoughtful leader – but still stands on his head every time he gets excited!
‘Ginger You’re Barmy’ by David Lodge
16 June 2006
On holiday I got around to reading ‘Ginger You’re Barmy’ was a very early David Lodge novel – a fairly autobiographical tale of his national service experience – well written and constructed and betraying his similarities to (and affection for) Graham Greene (as did his first novel ‘The Picturegoers’ which I think I preferred) – but not a patch on his later stuff – if you haven’t read any David Lodge start with ‘Paradise News’ or ‘Therapy’ – easy to read and very funny but much cleverer and more complex than they initially appear.
Loch Ness
16 June 2006
Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed all last week – we had absolutely glorious weather and a wonderful holiday at Foyers on Loch Ness – one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. We did lots of walking (with lots of picnics) and Trooper has now swum in most of the lochs in the Highlands! We had a trip up to the Black Isle to look for dolphins in the Moray Firth (without success) and particularly liked Cromarty – very picturesque fishing village. Would definitely recommend the area and the small locally-run company ‘Wilderness Cottages’ who we used.
Tengir-Too
2 June 2006
Last night I saw the amazing ‘Tengir-Too’ – folk music from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Gentle, magical music that got a rapturous reception from an enthusiastic audience. A well presented show with brief introductory talk, a handout giving more details about the music and the instruments and supertitles providing translations of the titles and lyrics. Tour details (including dates in Cardiff and Swansea) at http://www.rootsroundabout.co.uk/ - if you can’t catch them live I’d recommend the CD which includes a DVD and detailed booklet – it’s Volume 1 of a new series called ‘Music of Central Asia’ produced by Smithsonian Folkways and funded by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Mark Steel
2 June 2006
On Wednesday we went to The Stables to see the comedian Mark Steel tell us the story of the French Revolution (among other things). This was the last night of a 44 date tour that started in February and he was understandably a little demob-happy. I’ve seen Mark Steel a couple of times and he is better live than he comes across on radio or TV.
Nerina Pallot
26 May 2006
Last night I was at the Stables to see Nerina Pallot – a young singer/songwriter from Jersey. I read the review of her album ‘Fires’ in the Guardian last April which said: “the more you listen to it, the better it gets”. This led me to expect something that might be initially difficult to listen to but when I bought the CD it turned out to be pleasant, undemanding, unremarkable pop. But now I’m beginning to think the review was right – there is definitely something about her music that steadily grows on you – great voice, intelligent lyrics, plenty of piano and strings alongside the guitars and drums, and choruses it’s hard not to sing along to. Her gig last night was completely sold out and great fun – despite a few annoying technical problems. You can listen to the whole of her CD on her wonderful website at www.nerinapallot.com (click ‘Entertainment’). Definitely a name to watch …
‘The Accidental’ by Ali Smith
26 May 2006
I have just finished reading ‘The Accidental’ by Ali Smith. We saw Ali Smith at an event at the Edinburgh Book Festival a few years ago and I have been meaning to get around to reading something by her ever since. ‘The Accidental’ won last year’s Whitbread novel award and was shortlisted for the Booker. I thought it was great. It tells what seems to be a fairly straightforward domestic story through the eyes of four members of a family on holiday in Norfolk – but all is not what it first appears. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I particularly liked how the structure gradually lets things emerge. I guess it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea – plenty of ambiguity and an ending that leaves many things unresolved – but I really enjoyed it.
BBC Young Musician of the Year
26 May 2006
I maintained my record of incorrectly predicting the winner of every Young Musician final but I thought Mark Simpson was a worthy winner – it’s obviously good to see a Simpson winning! and he won playing the Nielsen clarinet concerto – one of my favourite composers. If you missed it you can see Mark’s winning performance at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/ Roll on the 2008 competition …
I love the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. I think it benefits from only taking place (despite the name) every two years and I have followed it closely from the first competition in 1978. In the early years all the rounds were held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Somewhere in the vaults of the BBC archives there is a really good close-up of me and my brother concentrating studiously in the audience at the Brass Semi-Final in 1980. (No I wasn’t taking part myself – you had to have Grade 8 with distinction just to enter the qualifying rounds!)
My memories of the concerto finals are particularly vivid: for me the Rachmaninov second piano concerto will always have dual connotations – not just Brief Encounter but also the news of the start of military action in the Falklands appearing on the screen during Anna Markland’s title-winning performance in 1982. And few who saw it would forget the moment when Guy Johnston broke a string in the 2000 final at the start of the Shostakovich first ‘cello concerto and very coolly stood up, walked off the stage and returned a few moments later to restart the piece – and win the competition.
There’s also something wonderfully indulgent about a concert of five concertos – and it’s always a good opportunity to hear some interesting and unusual repertoire. Even though the commentators were a bit sniffy about it, I was particularly taken with the trumpet concerto by Henri Tomasi played by Huw Morgan at this year’s final on Saturday.
I maintained my record of incorrectly predicting the winner of every Young Musician final but I thought Mark Simpson was a worthy winner – it’s obviously good to see a Simpson winning! and he won playing the Nielsen clarinet concerto – one of my favourite composers. If you missed it you can see Mark’s winning performance at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/ Roll on the 2008 competition …
19 May 2006
Regular readers will be aware of my interest in Balkan Gypsy brass music, especially bands like the Boban Markovic Orkestar and Fanfare Ciocarlia. If you’re still wondering what I’m going on about I’d recommend the article by Garth Cartwright in The Independent on 5 May which you can read at: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/features/article361940.ece
‘Let Em Run’ by The Bills
19 May 2006
I’m very much enjoying ‘Let Em Run’ – the CD by the Canadian band ‘The Bills’ which I bought at their concert last week. Our friend Alan – who we dragged along to see them – was so impressed he went to see their gig in London this week and is thinking about seeing them again in Hitchin on Sunday!
The Bills
12 May 2006
On Sunday we were at The Stables in Wavendon to see Canadian folk/roots group ‘The Bills’. I have to admit we only went because the venue sent us an email offering reduced price tickets – presumably because they were not selling very well – but I’m really glad we took up the offer. They were great fun – some amazing playing, catchy tunes, plenty of variety of style and a really likeable bunch of guys. If you have a chance of catching one of the last few dates of their UK tour I’d recommend them. Details at: www.thebills.ca - and if you can’t get to see them live take a look at the video for ‘Let Em Run’ on the website and you’ll get a good idea what they are about.
'Caché' by Michael Haneke
5 May 2006
Last night we were at the Library Theatre in Leighton Buzzard to see the French film, Caché (Hidden) directed by Michael Haneke – an amazing film. Someone is covertly filming Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche’s house from across the street and sending them copies of the video tapes. While we try to work out who and why we are constantly uncertain whether we are watching the film or the videos within the film. There are long fixed camera shots where you are unsure whether there is anything you should be noticing. The long periods of stillness and silence are almost unbearable (there is no musical soundtrack). This probably doesn’t sound very appealing but I found the film completely absorbing and gripping – right up to the point where the credits start to roll and you realise there is not going to be any resolution. Since we got home I’ve spent ages reading various reviews, blogs and discussion groups trying to work it all out. I can’t yet decide whether it was annoying and frustrating or a masterpiece but if art is meant to be challenging and thought-provoking then this is art!
‘A Long Way Down’ by Nick Hornby
5 May 2006
This week I read Nick Hornby’s latest novel, ‘A Long Way Down’. Four people from different backgrounds and lifestyles – including a daytime TV presenter and a single mother with a severely disabled child – meet on the roof of a tower block where they all, coincidentally, planned to commit suicide. They decide not to go through with it, for now, and become unlikely friends, supporting each other in their search for meaning and hope. The premise sounds more like a Ben Elton novel and I found it a little weak and unbelievable but in the safe hands of Hornby I really grew to like and sympathise with the characters. I enjoyed it.
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
5 May 2006
I played in a concert with Northampton Symphony Orchestra last Saturday – a good programme which included Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 and the Tchaikovsky first piano concerto with Lucy Parham – great fun but a real test of stamina which I didn’t quite pass!
Fanfare Ciocarlia
28 April 2006
I had an email recently from Jackie at Making Music. Jackie plays tenor saxophone in a Brighton-based Cuban street band. A couple of years ago they were playing at a festival where they met and made friends with the Romanian Gypsy brass band, Fanfare Ciocarlia. They kept in touch and, at the end of 2004, Jackie and her boyfriend were invited to spend Christmas in Romania with the band. Arriving in a remote mountain village in Transylvania in the middle of the night, she was shocked to discover that almost the whole village had turned out to meet her – and they had sacrificed a goat in her honour! Jackie was quite a novelty to the locals as they were unused to the idea of a female musician. She had taken her saxophone with her and spent her time in Transylvania learning as much of the local folk music as possible. In return she taught the band how to play the Benny Hill theme tune – a traditional English folk tune!
Fanfare Ciocarlia are a great party band (‘the fastest band in the world’) and play a fast and furious version of Balkan Gypsy brass music (a bit like ‘Bad Manners’ to the Boban Markovic Orkestar’s ‘Madness’ if you know what I mean!). I noticed, a few weeks ago, that Fanfare Ciocarlia had won the Europe award in this year’s BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music and I wondered whether Jackie would be going to the awards concert at the Brixton Academy. Then last week she emailed me a photo of herself backstage with the band with her hand on the trophy (“think this is the closest I'll ever get to my own!!!”).
‘Freedom Fields’ by Seth Lakeman
28 April 2006
Very much enjoying ‘Freedom Fields’, the new CD by the rising star of English folk music, Seth Lakeman – high quality, tuneful, accessible and very catchy.
‘Our Friends in the North’ by Peter Flannery
28 April 2006
We finished watching the re-run of ‘Our Friends in the North’ last weekend. The 1996 TV serial following the lives of four friends from the 1960s to the 1990s (and through them the recent political history of the country) was repeated recently – 10 years on – on BBC4. It really was excellent and I was in floods of tears by the end of the last episode – as I was 10 years ago!
The scope of the story – encompassing both the personal and the political – the way the various narratives are interwoven, the use of music and, above all, the acting were all superb. The four lead actors (Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, Mark Strong and Daniel Craig) are fantastic and there is a show stealing tour de force from Peter Vaughan.
I think the TV serial is the most satisfying of drama formats, allowing much greater character development than a play or film – in a good TV serial you really begin to see the character rather than the actor. And ‘Our Friends in the North’ would have to be one my ‘Desert Island TV serials’ – if you’ve never seen it ask for the DVD next Christmas! (Since you ask, off the top of my head the others would be ‘The Singing Detective’, Brideshead Revisited, ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’, John Byrne’s ‘Tutti Frutti’, Alan Bleasdale’s ‘GBH’, the recent Andrew Davies version of ‘Bleak House’ and, if you will allow me Sue, Edgar Reitz’s ‘Heimat’ films. And if I could only take one it would have to be the Dennis Potter.)
'Doctor Who'
21 April 2006
Delighted to see the return of Doctor Who – extremely silly but great fun – I do like David Tennant.
‘Kintulavig’ by Jenna Cummings
21 April 2006
I also bought another debut CD by a young Scottish Gaelic singer - ‘Kintulavig’ by Jenna Cummings – wonderful pure, haunting music.
I also bought another debut CD by a young Scottish Gaelic singer - ‘Kintulavig’ by Jenna Cummings – wonderful pure, haunting music.
‘Scribbled in Chalk’ by Karine Polwart
21 April 2006
When I was in Edinburgh on Wednesday every record shop seemed to be playing ‘Scribbled in Chalk’ – the new album by Karine Polwart – but it was well worth the climb up The Mound to support the local independent shop rather than one of the big chains as Coda had signed copies of the CD and was selling them for £3 less than anywhere else. I find Karine Polwart’s songs thoughtful, beautiful and moving.
‘A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian’ by Marina Lewycka
21 April 2006
I whizzed through ‘A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian’ by Marina Lewycka which I thoroughly enjoyed. Very funny, very sad, great characters, easy-to-read, very moving – a lovely novel.
‘Saturday’ by Ian McEwan
21 April 2006
While we were in France I finished ‘Saturday’ by Ian McEwan – an interesting and extremely well-written novel – the events of a single day in the life of a neurosurgeon and his family set against the backdrop of the anti-Iraq war protests in London. I do like McEwan – there were some beautifully written passages and two great set-piece scenes – but overall I found this book a bit slow and unengaging.
‘The Inside Man’ by Spike Lee
21 April 2006
We saw the Spike Lee film, ‘The Inside Man’ (with French subtitles) – an intelligent heist thriller with Denzel Washington and Clive Owen, which we really enjoyed. Inevitably, on reflection, there were a few holes in the plot (I’m never convinced that ‘the perfect crime’ would really involve holding large numbers of people hostage at gunpoint) but it was clever, gripping and well acted with a very witty script.
I was subsequently surprised to be reminded that this film was the subject of a particularly scathing review by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian. Having enjoyed the film I think he was a bit harsh but I did also really enjoy the review (it’s always the worst films that make for the best reviews) – he said: “You could try emptying Lake Victoria with a teaspoon, or making a scale model of Ely Cathedral with marbles, or getting into your house with front-door key made of marzipan. Any of these activities would be less of a waste of time than watching this supremely annoying and nonsensical film.”
Lille
21 April 2006
We had a lovely long weekend in Lille: it’s a great place – wonderful architecture, lots of little cobbled streets to wander around and a very impressive art gallery (Palais des Beaux-Arts). We also particularly enjoyed La Piscine at Roubaix – a former art deco swimming pool converted into a wonderful gallery with paintings and sculptures to discover in every shower room and changing cubicle!
We went to a concert in the splendid setting of the concert hall in the Lille Conservatoire where we heard a series of chamber works for clarinet and string quartet – all written by French composers in the 1990s. I enjoyed the music and, as always with serious contemporary classical music, was fascinated by the precision timing of the players – all communicated with the minutest of gestures and eye contact.
‘Nomvula’ by Freshly Ground
12 April 2006
This week I’ve been listening to the CD ‘Nomvula’ by the South African group Freshly Ground which Ginny brought back from her recent trip to South Africa. I’m really enjoying it.
‘The Constant Gardener’
7 April 2006
We visited the wonderful Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne – an amazing Art Deco building saved, restored and operated by volunteers from the local community – where me saw ‘The Constant Gardener’ – an intelligent and moving film with a great cast.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert
7 April 2006
We went to see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Poole Lighthouse – a great programme including the guitar concertos by Rodrigo and Malcolm Arnold. The orchestra seems to be flourishing under Marin Alsop and has a very healthy local following.
We went to see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Poole Lighthouse – a great programme including the guitar concertos by Rodrigo and Malcolm Arnold. The orchestra seems to be flourishing under Marin Alsop and has a very healthy local following.
‘Riot at the Rite’
24 March 2006
This week I watched ‘Riot at the Rite’ – the BBC2 drama about the opening night of The Rite of Spring in Paris in 1913. I must admit I’ve never really ’got’ Stravinsky – but this excellent programme began to open my eyes. It showed the difficult rehearsals – with both dancers and orchestra – and the arguments between Stravinsky, Nijinsky and Diaghilev – all of whom claimed that the work was their idea – as did Roerich, the designer, a withdrawn, bearded, pipe-smoker who did not speak at all in this drama and, at the end of the controversial opening performance, quietly slipped out the stage door and walked alone into the night, gently sucking his pipe.
I also enjoyed the two audience members who spent the whole performance spotting famous people in the auditorium: at one point one of them points to a young man a couple of rows in front of them who is drawing on a sketch pad and says “You know who that is?” – his companion shakes his head and the first man says “Picasso” – the second man asks “What is he drawing?” – the first man leans over to get a look and then whispers loudly “a chicken!” – the music starts again and the second man mouths silently “Why?” to which the first man slowly mouths the reply “I – don’t – know!”.
The programme was a drama, a comedy and a love story – but also incorporated a full continuous performance of The Rite of Spring performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Finnish National Ballet with choreography based on Nijinsky’s original and sets modeled on Roerich’s designs. Having seen the amount of work that had gone into the production you really felt for the performers when the heckling started but I also really began to enjoy watching the ballet and understanding the music for the first time. Then the final scene with the “what happened next” text superimposed on Nijinsky alone on the stage in an empty theatre added a poignant twist. Wonderful television.
Milton Keynes Sinfonia concert
24 March 2006
On Sunday we were at the Milton Keynes theatre to see Milton Keynes Sinfonia playing Wagner, Brahms and Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade. It’s great to see the local amateur orchestra managing to get a pretty respectable audience in an enormous theatre - and the Scheherazade was very exciting - the leader’s solos were excellent.
‘Spirited Away’ by Hayao Miyazaki
17 March 2006
I don’t often buy DVDs – there are very few films I would ever get around to watching more than once or twice – but I was seduced this week by a pile of discs on the counter at HMV where they were selling ‘Spirited Away’ for £4.99 – less than it cost me to see it at the cinema. ‘Spirited Away’, a Japanese animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, is one of my favourite films of recent years – visually beautiful, inventive and unpredictable, with a wonderful score – absolutely charming. (The DVD has the advantage that you can choose between the American voiced dubbed version and the original Japanese with English subtitles). If you haven’t seen it get yourself a copy now!
Northampton Symphony Orchestra concert
10 March 2006
On Saturday I played in a concert with the Northampton Symphony Orchestra which included the William Tell overture and Malcolm Arnold’s 2nd symphony. Arnold actually played trumpet in the orchestra as a schoolboy in Northampton. Some friends from our village brought their two sons (7 and 9 years old) to the concert – their first experience of live orchestral music. They were particularly struck by the contrasts in dynamics – finding the sudden loud passages very exciting. I got an email yesterday saying “The boys couldn't stop talking about it and Edward has decided he wants to take up playing the Double Bass”.
‘Weekend Break’ by John Godber
10 March 2006
Last Friday we were at the Library Theatre in Luton to see ‘Weekend Break’ by John Godber – a teacher treats his ageing parents to a weekend in the lake district – with disastrous results. Like most of Godber’s plays this featured a small cast (three actors), minimal set (two chairs) and was touching, poignant and extremely funny – with more than a nod to Alan Bennett in this case.
Boban Markovic Orkestar
3 March 2006
This week I’ve been listening to the best band in the world – that’s not hyperbole it’s an official title bestowed on the Boban Markovic Orkestar by the Guca festival in Central Serbia – the “Woodstock of Brass Music”. I first discovered Boban Markovic at the beginning of 2003 when I was intrigued by a review that described the band as “able to leap tall buildings with a single bound” with “the ability to turn on a sixpence”. When I told Jeannie I was emailing a record label in Berlin to get hold of a CD called ‘Live in Belgrade’ by a Serbian brass band, she feared this confirmed the start my descent into madness! Maybe she was right but it remains one of my favourite CDs. I’ve just bought their latest album, ‘The Promise’ and it’s fantastic stuff. It’s loud and funky – exciting party music with an underlying melancholy: amazing rhythms and syncopation, musical gymnastics from Boban himself – “the best trumpet on Earth” (yes, another official title) – and incredible agility from the tuba-players. To judge for yourself go to http://www.piranha.de/records/ - click ‘Gypsies & Balkan’ – select one of the three Boban Markovic CDs and then click on the ‘Listen to!’ links. If you haven’t discovered the sound of Balkan Gypsy Brass yet you’re in for a treat! Hey, Boban!
'Symphony No. 7' by Dimitri Shostakovich
24 February 2006
The pick of last weekend was seeing the BBC Philharmonic playing Shostakovich Symphony 7 at the Bridgewater Hall – wow! – huge orchestra – packed hall – tremendously exciting and very very loud! – fantastic!
The Lowry, Salford
24 February 2006
Visiting the galleries at The Lowry in Salford for the first time, I overheard two boys, who must have been about eight years old, standing in front of a number of Lowry paintings including ‘Man looking at something’: 1st boy – “How did he get famous for painting these?!” 2nd boy – “These are works of art!” 1st boy – “Works of art! My sister could have painted these!!” – I am still wondering about this last remark – why not say “I could have painted these”? – was he referring to a baby sister to emphasise how easy it would be to paint like this? Or was he actually referring to an older sister who is maybe quite good at art – thereby appreciating that some degree of skill was involved but that while he might not be able to manage such paintings himself they were not that special?
Visiting the galleries at The Lowry in Salford for the first time, I overheard two boys, who must have been about eight years old, standing in front of a number of Lowry paintings including ‘Man looking at something’: 1st boy – “How did he get famous for painting these?!” 2nd boy – “These are works of art!” 1st boy – “Works of art! My sister could have painted these!!” – I am still wondering about this last remark – why not say “I could have painted these”? – was he referring to a baby sister to emphasise how easy it would be to paint like this? Or was he actually referring to an older sister who is maybe quite good at art – thereby appreciating that some degree of skill was involved but that while he might not be able to manage such paintings himself they were not that special?
‘Weeding Cane’
24 February 2006
We had a few days in Manchester last weekend, during which we saw ‘Weeding Cane’ – a play about West Indian immigration to London in the 50s – at the Royal Exchange Studio – interesting piece but I thought it needed a bit more plot.
We had a few days in Manchester last weekend, during which we saw ‘Weeding Cane’ – a play about West Indian immigration to London in the 50s – at the Royal Exchange Studio – interesting piece but I thought it needed a bit more plot.
'Bleak House' adapted by Andrew Davies
17 February 2006
Last weekend we watched the whole of the BBC TV dramatisation of Bleak House. Given that the innovative aspect was that it was broadcast in bite-sized 30 minute episodes I realise we might have been missing the point by watching all 8 hours of it over a couple of days but it was wonderful. You so rarely get a TV serial long enough for real character development – so that you end up thinking of the characters as themselves rather than as the famous actors. Really enjoyed it.
'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' by Arctic Monkeys
17 February 2006
I’ve been listening to the Arctic Monkeys this week – thought I’d see what all the fuss was about. Not easy listening – loud and fast but very witty (with some decidedly dodgy rhymes that could only ever work in a strong Sheffield accent!) and incredibly catchy – brilliant.
‘Shylock’ by Gareth Armstrong
17 February 2006
We were back at the Bowen West Theatre in Bedford last Saturday to see ‘Shylock’ – a one-man show by Gareth Armstrong that looked at the character, the story of The Merchant of Venice, the history of the play and Jewish history through the eyes of the other Jewish character, Tubal, whom you could be forgiven for having overlooked as he appears in one scene and only has eight lines. Simple, clever, enjoyable and thought-provoking.
‘Mad Hot Ballroom’
10 February 2006
Last night we were at The Hat Factory in Luton to see ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’ – a documentary film about a group of 10 and 11 year olds in New York being taught to ballroom dance. A brilliant film – best I’ve seen for ages – incredibly moving, hilarious and inspirational. I might be a little biased having spent many years being told that my foxtrot ‘is going to be good’ (yes but when?!) but even if you don’t dance I think you would find this a gripping and wonderfully enjoyable film.
‘Here’s What I Did With My Body One Day’ by Lightwork
10 February 2006
Last Saturday we went to the Bowen West Theatre in Bedford – this is a nice little theatre run by De Monfort University and situated in a quiet residential street a little away out of the centre of town but no-one seems to know about it and it really struggles to get audiences. We saw a thing called ‘Here’s What I Did With My Body One Day’ by a company called Lightwork. It was a ‘genetic detective thriller’ about an academic who loses his elderly father while in Paris to speak at a conference – and said lots of interesting things about genetics and fate. It was really interesting and inventive with some amazing use of video projection. The show is touring and I would highly recommend it.
‘mar a tha mo chridhe’ by Julie Fowlis,
3 February 2006
On my way up The Mound in Edinburgh on Monday I popped into Coda – the folk music shop – and bought a copy of ‘mar a tha mo chridhe’ (as my heart is), the first solo CD by Julie Fowlis, singer and pipes player with the band Dochas. Julie Fowlis is a young Gaelic singer from North Uist and her music is pure, gentle and uplifting – very much enjoying the album.
‘Friends and Crocodiles’ by Stephen Polliakoff
26 January 2006
I was looking forward to the Stephen Polliakoff TV drama ‘Friends and Crocodiles’ which we watched this week but was quite disappointed by it. Although it was visually wonderful, I found it a bit slow and boring. He does the wide-eyed wonder and mystery thing very well but, for me, it didn’t create the same ‘wow-factor’ here as he managed in ‘The Lost Prince’ or ‘Shooting the Past’. Maybe the Polliakoff style didn’t fit this setting (following yuppy venture capitalists through the highs and lows of the 1980s and 90s).
I was looking forward to the Stephen Polliakoff TV drama ‘Friends and Crocodiles’ which we watched this week but was quite disappointed by it. Although it was visually wonderful, I found it a bit slow and boring. He does the wide-eyed wonder and mystery thing very well but, for me, it didn’t create the same ‘wow-factor’ here as he managed in ‘The Lost Prince’ or ‘Shooting the Past’. Maybe the Polliakoff style didn’t fit this setting (following yuppy venture capitalists through the highs and lows of the 1980s and 90s).
'The Strand' magazine
20 January 2006
I was talking to one of our neighbours about the Julian Barnes book on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (‘Arthur and George’) and he lent me some bound copies of The Strand magazine from 1920 which I have been reading this week. The Strand was where all the Sherlock Holmes stories were first published and these issues include pieces by Conan Doyle. There are also original stories by H.G. Wells, P.G. Wodehouse and Edgar Wallace and cartoons by Heath Robinson. But the most fascinating thing is the adverts - for Player's cigarettes, Viyella (the all-British washing material of practical value) and Rowlands macassar oil (nothing will give your hair such a radiant healthy appearance).
‘Arthur & George’ by Julian Barnes
12 January 2006
I’ve just finished reading ‘Arthur & George’ by Julian Barnes – best novel I’ve read for ages and I would highly recommend it. It tells the true story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle intervening to correct a miscarriage of justice in the first years of the 20th century when a young lawyer is convicted of attacking a horse. Although it’s a gripping story it also feels like two fascinating biographies – you really get to know both men and the worlds they inhabit.
Milton Keynes Dance Centre
12 January 2006
Last Friday we re-started ballroom dancing classes – exactly 10 years since we stopped going. We have been dancing a few times in the meantime but we’re a bit rusty and thought it was time to get a bit more tuition. We joined the ‘improvers’ class at Milton Keynes Dance Centre. When we got there the beginners class was just finishing and it was absolutely packed – amazing to see the effect of Simply Come Dancing bringing people out in droves.
Athena Andreadis
6 January 2006
On New Year’s Eve we shared our cultural highlights of 2005 with some of our friends and neighbours. My pick of the year was a performance at the Womad Festival last July by a young London-based Greek singer called Athena Andreadis. Performing in the tiny Radio 3 World On Your Street tent in front a small but enthusiastic crowd sheltering from the rain, she was wonderful – a beautiful, haunting voice and her version of Mongolian throat singing was the most magical thing I heard last year. You can still hear the Radio 3 recording of her Womad performance at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/womad2005/woys_andreadis.shtml Her first CD, ‘Snapshot’ comes out next Monday and gets a four star review in today’s Guardian. More details at www.athenaandreadis.com
'King Kong'
6 January 2006
On Thursday I went to see King Kong at the Pola Cinema in Welshpool – much too long but the scenes in New York are truly amazing – just go in for the last half hour.
'Edward Scissorhands' by Matthew Bourne
6 January 2006
Over the Christmas period we were at Sadler’s Wells to see Matthew Bourne’s dance version of Edward Scissorhands – some spectacular stage effects and a couple of great set-piece dances but we felt there was too much mime and not enough real dancing.
Danesborough Chorus carol concert
23 December 2005
On Sunday we went to a carol concert in Leighton Buzzard featuring our local choral society (Danesborough Chorus) and brass band (Woburn Sands Band – the ‘A’ band!). It was a lovely evening with a great variety of music and lots of good food and drink.
Neil Innes
23 December 2005
Last Saturday we were at The Hat Factory in Luton to see Neil Innes (of Bonzo Dog Doodah Band, Monty Python, The Rutles and Innes Book of Records fame). Great music and a vault of anecdotes!
Eversholt carol concert
9 December 2005
Last Friday we spent a lovely evening in Eversholt village hall at the annual village carol concert. Music was provided by the Woburn Sands Band – actually the ‘B Band’, the middle level brass band which includes some extremely young players – and a few more mature folks. It was a really nice atmosphere – and a good example of how amateur arts activity can span the generations.
‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt
2 December 2005
I have just finished reading ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt. Her more recent novel, ‘The Little Friend’ was one of the best books I read last year so I was looking forward to reading her first book. I don’t think The Secret History was quite so accomplished – too many unsympathetic characters for me – but wonderfully written.
Arthur Honegger
2 December 2005
I’ve been listening to ‘Composer of the Week’ on Radio 3 this week. I didn’t know much about Arthur Honegger but was intrigued to hear his music having recently read a novel in which a character becomes fascinated by Honegger’s symphonies. (The book was ‘The Closed Circle’ by Jonathan Coe – the sequel to ‘The Rotter’s Club’ – both highly recommended.) Honegger was a really interesting character and composed some great works – I particularly liked his cello concerto and some of the other orchestral works.
'King Olaf' by Edward Elgar
25 November 2005
On Sunday we were at the Milton Keynes Theatre to see the two big local choral societies (Danesborough Chorus and Milton Keynes Chorale) combine to sing King Olaf – a little-known early cantata by Elgar – another heavily Wagner-influenced piece – with narration from the exuberant voice of Brian Blessed.
'Symphony' by Cesar Franck
25 November 2005
On Saturday I played in a concert with Milton Keynes Sinfonia which included the Symphony by Cesar Franck which was new to me – interesting work and quite modern for its day (1888) – a link between Wagner and later French composers like Poulenc.
Rich Hall
25 November 2005
Last Thursday we were at The Stables to see an old favourite of ours – American comedian Rich Hall (“I’m an American – I’m sorry for everything!”). Comedy is a very personal thing and I recognise that what can seem funny to one person can be offensive to others, but I did find the following funny: “If Elvis was The King, how come he’s buried in his own back yard like a hamster?!”
Ioan Pop
17 November 2005
My top pick of the week has to be the fantastic impromptu performance at the Voluntary Arts Network conference in Cardiff last Friday evening by Romanian folk musician Ioan Pop. You can hear a couple of samples of his music at: www.passiondiscs.co.uk/e_pages/romanian_e/ethcd006.htm
‘Lomax: The Songhunter’ by Rogier Kappers
17 November 2005
On Monday I was at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh to see ‘Lomax: The Songhunter’ – a fascinating documentary. Alan Lomax was an American song collector who died in 2002. For most of his life, he travelled around the world with his recording equipment, hunting for folk songs and recording ordinary people. Filmmaker Rogier Kappers visited Lomax one year before his death, when he was already seriously ill with a brain haemorrhage. Kappers decided to search for people Lomax recorded, and travelled through Europe in an old Volkswagen. His journey led him past desolate Scottish islands, through the parched interior of Spain and to isolated Italian mountain villages where he found the grown up children of some of the people Lomax recorded in the 1940s and 1950s and – in some cases – the original musicians themselves. In one memorable scene Kappers plays a vintage Lomax recording to a group of elderly locals in a supermarket in Galicia and you can see their faces breaking into smiles as they recognise their earlier selves on the tape. Gradually they begin to join in with the songs and end up dancing up and down the aisles of the supermarket. For more information, see: www.lomaxthesonghunter.nl
Karine Polwart
10 November 2005
On Monday we were at The Stables in Wavendon, Milton Keynes (John Dankworth and Cleo Laine’s place) to see Scottish folk singer Karine Polwart – a beautiful performance – she’s currently touring and I would urge you to see her if you get the chance.
Luton Town vs Burnley
10 November 2005
Last Saturday we went to see Burnley FC play local high-fliers Luton Town (definitely a cultural event – if not particularly artistic!). It was the most exciting football match I’ve seen for years – Burnley hanging on to win unexpectedly 3-2 despite having their goalkeeper sent off in the first half.
Snowshill Manor
4 November 2005
Really enjoyed a visit last Sunday to Snowshill Manor – a National Trust property near Broadway in the Cotswolds – a rambling building dating from 1500 with the most fascinating and eccentric collection of things (early bicycles, spinning wheels, Samurai armour, unusual musical instruments, truncheons etc etc). I could have spent days there – it was great.
'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare
4 November 2005
We had a weekend in and around Stratford – seeing As You Like It on Saturday – bit of a mixed production I thought but some of the comic scenes were really good and Lia Williams was a super Rosalind.
Bob Brozman
4 November 2005
Last Friday I was at The Hat Factory in Luton to see American slide guitarist, Bob Brozman – best known for his world music collaborations. He was great fun – fantastic guitarist and very funny.
'Requiem' by Karl Jenkins
28 October 2005
On Sunday we were at a concert at Stowe School near Buckingham to see the new Requiem by Karl Jenkins – enjoyable if a little bland for my taste but fascinating to see a huge audience for a programme of works by a living classical composer – demonstrating the influence of Classic FM.
‘Bronte’ by Polly Teale
28 October 2005
Last weekend we were in Oxford on Saturday to see ‘Bronte’ – a new play about the Bronte sisters by the Shared Experience company (whose productions are always inventive and thought-provoking). They cleverly blurred the distinctions between authors and their characters but the most striking thing was just how small the kitchen in the parsonage at Howarth was! (They had the precise dimensions marked on the floor of the stage and most of the action took place within them.)
'Alison Lapper Pregnant' by Marc Quinn
21 October 2005
It seemed particularly appropriate to be in Trafalgar Square this week of all weeks: Tuesday was a cold, clear sunny day and I got my first chance to see the statue of Alison Lapper on the fourth plinth. Compared to the newspaper photos it seemed even more striking – bigger, brighter and more covered in pigeons! There were lots of people stopping to look at the statue and several people sketching it – which seems like a good thing.
'Voyageur' by Enigma
21 October 2005
I’ve been listening to a group called Enigma which was a tip from my taxi driver in Cardiff last week. Their album, ‘Voyageur’, is an interesting mix which sounds a bit like a cross between Enya and Peter Gabriel (what a bizarre idea!).
'Out of nothing' by Embrace
21 October 2005
This week I have been listening to Embrace - their album ‘Out of nothing’ is growing on me.
‘Playing with Fire’ by David Edgar
14 October 2005
Last Saturday we went to London to see ‘Playing with Fire’ – the new play by David Edgar at the National Theatre – a New Labour high-flyer is sent north from London to sort out an ailing local authority with disastrous results – well acted and some nice ideas but too long and I couldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it.
www.framleyexaminer.com
6 October 2005
I also really like the local newspaper spoof:
(unless you have a big screen this is easier to read if you can get your computer to scale the pages to fit an A4 sheet and print them out – well worth the hassle!)
www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com
6 October 2005
One of my favourite websites:
www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com
(particularly like “what the polls say” – who are all these people that vote each week!)
‘A Short Album About Love’ by The Divine Comedy
30 September 2005
The Divine Comedy had passed me by (that’s Neil Hannon not Dante – though come to think of it Dante has largely passed me by too!) but I recently discovered ‘A Short Album About Love’ – does what it says on the tin – bitter-sweet tunes, gorgeous orchestrations, witty lyrics that make me smile, ever-so-slightly over the top – fantastic stuff.
The Divine Comedy had passed me by (that’s Neil Hannon not Dante – though come to think of it Dante has largely passed me by too!) but I recently discovered ‘A Short Album About Love’ – does what it says on the tin – bitter-sweet tunes, gorgeous orchestrations, witty lyrics that make me smile, ever-so-slightly over the top – fantastic stuff.
'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger
30 September 2005
I've just finished reading 'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger - really a good old fashioned love story for which the science-fiction element is just an effective device through which to say some thought-provoking things about relationships and families. Very entertaining and enjoyable and a real tear-jerker!
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