Firstly – today is CPE Bach’s 297th Birthday! So it’s very appropriate that we are celebrating his music at this time. The first reviews of our concert of his music last week at the Queen Elizabeth Hall are now in – links below. Next week we’re off to the States for further performances of this concert in Boston (15 March) and New York (16 March).
Our late-night series, The Night Shift, was featured on Radio 4′s 10pm news programme, The World Tonight, on Friday. You can listen to the piece here, it’s 37 minutes into the programme.
Catherine Mackintosh, an OAE violinist and ex leader, will be taking part in our The other amazing Mr Bach study day tomorrow, playing and talking about CPE Bach’s Trio Sonata Sanguineas and Melancholius. Here’s our speed interview with her:
What/when was your big breakthrough?
My breakthroughs have been many but small. A very early one was playing the One Note in Purcell’s Fantasy of that name with the members of the Melos Ensemble as a teenager. Emmanuel Hurwitz was then very helpful to me. Becoming leader of the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973 was also a huge career step for me.
What do you fear the most?
Snakes, without a doubt and anything bad happening to my family. Not too keen on the idea of death either.
Which mobile number do you call the most?
As my husband hardly ever uses his mobile, I expect it’s Philippa’s (OAE Orchestra Manager).
What – or where – is perfection?
I have never been in pursuit of it actually because, if it exists, or is discovered, it is all the more astonishing for being unsought. Sitting in front of a roaring log fire in our house in France comes pretty close I must admit.
Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?
Aunt Dahlia from the works of PG Wodehouse. She is described by her nephew, Bertie Wooster as “a festive old bird” and now I have reached a certain age, I cannot imagine a better state to emulate.
What’s your favourite ritual?
I am not a devout Christian but I love Choral Evensong in a Cathedral with a good choir and recently happened on one in Sheffield just before our concert there.
Which living person do you most admire (and why)?
I met a wonderful nun, Sister Patricia, in Palestine’s Bethlehem University who ran the music department there. She embodied everything I admire; calm, cheerful, dedicated, humorous, sympathetic, intelligent, enthusiastic… I think you get the gist of this lovely person.
What other talent or skill would you like to possess?
I would like to be a book-binder. I realise with horror that with internet, books are in danger of becoming extinct, but few can resist the charm and feel of a beautifully bound book.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That I am not the only pebble on the beach.
What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?
This goes in phases. At the moment I would say Miles Davis. I must confess I don’t listen to much recorded classical music as I prefer to play it!
What’s the best thing about working with the OAE?
We can never be complacent when always challenged by new ideas from our different conductors and leaders. I feel immensely privileged to work with this orchestra and continue to learn something every time.
Our study day is tomorrow at Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room at 10.30am and 2pm. Tickets
Do you want to learn Violin? learn from the best! Eric Lewis from the Manhattan String Quartet has made his teaching system public!
What will you learn from a good violin tutorial? You won’t get a proper start unless you can identify all the parts of your instrument. You’re going to learn how to hold it and pluck it, and you should learn from the start to be very careful with your bow. Never touch the bow hair! It’s most likely made of about 150 horse-hairs. Less expensive bows are strung with synthetics such as nylon. Keep the bow in your case while you learn how to hold your violin comfortably.
Take the instrument out of its case and turn it around. There is much more to it than just the body, the neck, and the pegs. Your violin tutorial starts with learning the parts:
Not everyone gets to study with Eric lewis…Until now. The Eric Lewis method can be downloaded at ViolinMasterPro.com and it comes with lessons on video and streaming video as well. Excellent for beginners, intermediate and advanced. Music schools around the world have been implementing the Eric lewis method in their curriculums as well as private lessons for good reason: The Eric Lewis method is practical, influential and extremely fulfilling!
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There’s no doubt that The Stereophonics are a class act but after 7 albums could they possible create another album worth listening too? Keep on reading to find out.
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After a fear year battle with addiction Eminem released the ill fated “Relapse” which in all fairness suffered in record sales, the album left many listeners unsatisfied and even left the big man himself displeased. With the release of “Recovery” the American rapper looks to put everything right.
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The Lion King. Beauty and the Beast. The Road to El Dorado. Do you remember these classics? And their sound tracks?
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It can be difficult to narrow your search to just one choice when you’re ready to download guitar lessons – there are so many choices out there. Nonetheless, if you put the puzzle together using this information, you should be able to narrow your search easily.
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Christian music can educate, inspire emotions, transport memories, calms the spirit and even makes you thankful of all your blessings. For those looking to get free Christian music, there is no other place to look but the Internet. Is it okay to just download any Christian songs online?
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