Category: Music

Last Week of the Proms

The BBC splash out on some big hitters to play at the last week of the Proms. This year it is the Staatskapelle Berlin and their conductor Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Dresden, under Christian Thielemann.

Theorbo Time

You don’t see a theorbo for years and then two come along together. About ten years ago I went to a concert at St Paul’s School to raise money for Venice in Peril.

Swarkestone Pavilion

Here’s another Round on the Links, set by me not James Walton. What is the connection between two Rolling Stones albums, a building in Las Vegas and a 17th Century bowling green? Not hard, the answer is today’s title.

Water Music

I heard the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra play at a classical music festival in Dorset quite a few years ago. The setting was spectacular looking down to Studland Bay and a group of us camped. The whole thing was made even more enjoyable because very few people turned up – only about 800 the night we… Continue reading Water Music

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Lunchtime Prom

The Prom I went to on Monday wasn’t at the Albert Hall and there were no Prommers. It was at lunchtime at Cadogan Hall, near Sloane Square.

First Night of the Proms

The Proms kicked off last night with an unscheduled piece – La Marseillaise. The Prommers were of course already standing but the rest of the packed Albert Hall rose to their feet for this mark of respect to France. 

Local News

Are you a regular? The sort that when you go to the bar the bartender says “the usual”? There isn’t really a usual post here anymore than Rachid, the cocktail barman at my club, can anticipate my order. However, there are a few bits and pieces to update you on.

St Thomas the Apostle

Yesterday I went to The Royal Hospital, Chelsea. It was a Vets’ Service. Let’s get something clear. If you are an American you will assume it was a Service for Veterans; if not you will intuit that it was attended by uniformed members of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps.  –more–> After they had filed into the Chapel, designed by… Continue reading St Thomas the Apostle

Tristan und Isolde

It’s Sunday morning and I’m reflecting on Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.

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Blue Plaque

Blue plaque is not something that stains your teeth if you are a Conservative. It is a commemorative plaque put on the outside of a house in London that has been lived in by someone distinguished.