It’s been a busy and chaotic Autumn. Some things have gone well; some haven’t. There have been illnesses and cancellations. But to end the year on a positive note, here are the things that DID work out (more or less). They are all concerts, but next year will be a year of books.
In October, I returned to the wonderful Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden, to join the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. It’s always tricker with Ravel’s version of the music as he made a cut which gives me less time to paint! But all went well, and I got to wear my 1940’s Rome Opera Russian costume again!
Then came the annual de Havilland Philharmonic concert at the Weston Auditorium. Our tenth programme – this year, it was SPACE! Beyond The Planets… And what fun conductor Robin Browning and I had, with me striding onstage to the 2001 Space Odyssey Music (Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra) in a Spaceman costume (courtesy of costume maker Antonio Reche Martinez) and painting along to Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Debussy’s Clair de Lune and some of Holst’s Planets! Robin and I devised some astronaut banter and at the end the audience roared their approval for the whole concept and for this fine orchestra.
The encore had to be Star Wars of course…
Next, in December, was an important date: Sibelius’ 150th Birthday. We were actually 3 days early, but I joined the Dockland’s Sinfonia at St. Anne’s in Limehouse for the Lemminkainen Legends. Music I love, rarely heard live, and including the hauntingly lovely Swan of Tuonela. Unfortunately the projector let us down, so this became a very analogue, intimate performance, but it was still very special to celebrate a favourite composer in this way.
Here’s a preliminary study for the Swan of Tuonela…
10 days later, I was back with the Dockland’s Sinfonia (and director Spencer Down) at the Great Hall, The People’s Palace, Queen Mary University London – a stunning art deco theatre. WE presented (in ONE MORNING!) TWO performances of Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, reaching 1,600 East End School kids (for FREE!), an incredible feat which I am especially proud of, and the teachers all came and thanked me for this wonderful opportunity for the children.
And next year? there will be concerts in Saffron Hall and Weston Auditorium in the Autumn. But my next concert, with Hertfordshire choirs will be in a slightly bigger venue. On March 13th, I’ll be painting to music at… THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL!
Season’s Greetings to you all.
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