Music as a barometer. That’s what music has the power to be: a barometer.
I did promise myself that I wouldn’t write about death or grief. I promised myself I wouldn’t be superficial. I would instead be bold, daring and independent. I would challenge convention. I would share something of myself. After all, people respond to passion (even if they don’t realise it), and passion necessarily comes from the…
Brahms is the cheese. Fact.
Thoughts generated whilst looking into the middle distance.
Customary end of year reflections.
Direction comes from one person in the chorus not a conductor or director in the centre of the stage.
Not so much revelling in the headiness of a contrived Dickensian Christmas, more a musical articulation of the way I now see the Christmas story.
A demanding programme of unfamiliar and invigorating works for wind orchestra including a cracking show piece for saxophonist Rob Burton.
The Gramophones are the kind of signpost for future discovery that people like me need to fill out our classical music experience.