Fly With a Little Help from Lebrecht...

Getting to Norway was always going to be difficult.
Not because of the distances involved, after all Robin travels all around the world, Norway is pretty much on our doorstep.
But time was the issue.

Last Friday, the 8th of June, Robin was playing for the High Sheriff of Lancashire at lunchtime in Lancaster Town Hall.

This went very well and he then dashed off to catch the first of three flights.
That isn't exactly true, he couldn't really 'dash' to the airport as a murder had been committed on the motorway.

Honestly, you couldn't make it up....

Consequently the motorway was closed and we had to make a detour to a train station which duly delivered Robin to the airport just in time for his first flight.

Not the best of starts.
However, the journey was to get a whole lot worse.

A quick change of planes in Copenhagen and then he spent a night, or what was left of it, in a hotel in Oslo.

Early next morning he duly arrived to catch his Norwegian Air flight to Alesund.
He was met by the usual barrage of questions regarding the guitar, he was informed that under no circumstances would the instrument be allowed in the cabin but, on payment of an extra £20, could be consigned to the hold, even though we had already paid for extra hand luggage.

Robin then 'phoned his contact in America who advised that they would purchase another seat for the guitar.
He then went to the Norwegain Air desk and was informed that they did have a seat available but when he explained this was for his instrument they refused point blank.

After a Twitter exchange, Norman Lebrecht, very succinctly summed up the situation, on his blog, 'Slipped Disc'.
As Kenneth Woods highlighted during this discussion, 'Norman Lebrecht has been a real champion for musicians with airlines.'


Travelling with an instrument has been difficult for some time but the situation is getting worse, and more stressful, with every journey.
Airlines all seem to have different, ever changing policies regarding musical instruments but even then, it really depends who happens to be at the check in desk.
Some people are fine others make problems where none exist.

The fact is that a classical guitar case fits neatly into the overhead locker, still allowing space for other passengers to stow their belonings, or, within one of the wardrobes available on the aircraft.
It really isn't a problem.

But on this occasion the check in assistant wouldn't budge.
No guitar was getting on his plane.

So Robin informed them he wouldn't be getting on the plane either, and his agents booked another flight for much later in the day leaving Robin to spend the entire day back at the hotel.
The pressure was unrelenting as he didn't know if he would actually make his connection after all these delays.

Back at the airport later that evening, Scandinavian Airlines welcomed Robin, and guitar, on board without any hesitation.

Thankfully their were no further delays and Robin arrived with only 30 minutes to spare.

Travel is meant to be the easy part, it's playing the notes that is difficult.
Airlines should remember who the customer is...


The next day he was able to put all the stress behind him and deliver a great concert.
Which incidentally was filmed by a Dutch TV film crew, but that's another story....

Still Missing and 'Maestro' BBC 2

I have a confession to make.
I am addicted to the BBC2 series 'Maestro'.
Luckily for me, the third episode was shown last night, as it helped take my mind off the missing suitcase.
Yes, the case is still missing, and Robin's concert with soprano Izzy Cooper is tomorrow....

The BBC's aim, along with the series, 'Classical Star',(which I have previously posted about here, here, here, here and here) is an attempt to introduce fresh viewers to the area of classical music.
This must be a good thing.

The selection of contestants appears to be well thought out, as they include 'celebrities' from such varied backgrounds they will hopefully bring their own 'fan base' along.
The initial eight were, 'Goldie', 'Jane Asher', 'Bradley Walsh', 'Peter Snow', 'Sue Perkins', 'Alex James', 'David Soul' and 'Katie Derham'.

The idea is that the 8 novice conductors are gradually whittled down to one final winner, who will then go on to conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra in front of 30 000 people at the Proms in the Park.

I'm not going to divulge the 'evictions' so far, as some of you may wish to see for yourselves.
The judges, Sir Roger Norrington, Zoe Martlew, Simone Young and Dominic Seldis have been offering advice, (often amusing), alongside voting contestants off the show.
All this is overseen beautifully by Clive Anderson.

The BBC Concert Orchestra, a very fine orchestra, (and one that Robin has performed with on a number of occasions), possibly have the most difficult task of actually following these novice conductors as they learn to multitask like never before...

I hope that the programme has been successful in its aim.
I did find an active forum debating each episode, which I suppose is a good sign.
However I would like to hear the views of the various 'classical music blogs', so far I have found little, except a brief mention by conductor Kenneth Woods, that he has been watching.

As the BBC are offering a much needed opportunity for classical music to be seen on television then maybe we should start discussions in the blogging world...

I've outlined it, you debate it.

Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and the Revolving Stage

Usually, at some point in the day, I have a look at my favourite sites and catch up with other's thoughts.
Yesterday, like most days, I read 'Kenneth Woods - a view from the podium', and his latest post, 'Chamber Music Thoughts in the Ischian sun'.

In it he mentions talking to friends who have been invited to perform in a nudist colony, clothing being optional for performers.
This prompted a thought pattern.
How far would Robin go?
Would he dis-robe to take his music to the people?
So, I asked him.
I can't possibly put in print his response.
I should point out that I did present the question as if an actual enquiry had been made. This may have been cruel, but, it was also rather amusing.
However, I can relay a story that Robin told me, after he'd seen the funny side of the situation.

Apparently, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli were once asked to perform at a private function.
They were told that it was a very 'posh' affair, and that all the audience were naturists.
The proviso for receiving the extremely good fee for the job, was that they also had to play naked.
Once at the venue, they found that the host was indeed very affluent, and had provided a platform with curtains and a revolving stage for the occasion. (They entered the large room from the rear).
Reinhardt, Grappelli, and the other two musicians, removed their clothing, and prepared for the stage to rotate, bracing themselves to meet their audience.
As the stage came to a standstill, the pair found that the audience were in fact fully clothed, and they were the only 'naturists' there....

The moral of the story I suppose has to be, that you should always read the small print in your contracts, and when 'unusual' requests are made, be sure to ask a lot of questions.

Harry Potter Meets J.S. Bach - Sort of...

We are all a little bleary eyed here at Hillhouse this morning.
Son number one wanted to go to our local Waterstones bookshop at midnight to collect a copy of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.
As we encourage reading, and wanted him to participate in the 'collective experience', in a mad moment we agreed.

Some years ago when Harry Potter exploded onto the scene, there was great excitement here when Robin was asked to play at the 'Proms in the Park', and was therefore sitting on stage when the John William's score was first performed.

Prior to this expedition I had to go out.
I left the house at 7pm, Robin was in the music room, working on a Bach minuet which is part of one of the many projects currently underway here.
Robin is in the process of recording a number of CDs, one of which is made up entirely of the music of J.S.Bach.
As Robin is frequently away from home, he has to make the most of the times that he is here.

I returned 4 1/2 hours later to find son number one desperately trying to keep his eyes open and Robin in exactly the same position - still practising.
He assured me that he had stopped to put son number two to bed, and when I checked he was in pyjamas, in bed, and asleep, so I had to believe that some adult involvement had taken place.
This was an ideal evening for Robin.
Normally by about 10 or 10.30pm I tend to storm the music room or recording studio and insist it's time to stop.
Last night he was able to pursue his perfect evening unhindered. (Especially as son number one was keeping a very low profile in case he was sent to bed for looking too tired...)

On my return Robin finally put his guitar away at 11.45pm and off they went to purchase the book.
They thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being out at that time of night, despite the presence of local drunks spilling out of the pubs, and taunting the excited shoppers as they waited for the store to open.
When they told their story on their return it reminded me of the blog Kenneth Woods did a few weeks ago about a similar experience.
I can only hope that it has put son number one off excess alcohol consumption when he is a little older and inspired him to much greater things....

Celebrate the Arts Not Stupidity

Well, Glastonbury is over, and all the revellers will be returning home to dry out, and the locals will have peace and quiet restored.
There has been a huge amount of media attention, with easy access to T.V. and radio coverage. So if you couldn't make it there, you could still enjoy the music, from the comfort of your own home.
That's a good thing, but, why can't other forms of music get as much exposure?
For that matter, not just music, but all areas of the arts.

If people, and particularly children, were able to view and listen to ALL types of music and learn about the more wholesome aspects to life, and our cultural heritage, then maybe we wouldn't have quite so many problems today.

This area was discussed by Kenneth Woods, over on 'View from the Podium', the other day. Having left the concert hall on a Saturday night he was confronted by a typical scene in many towns and cities across the country. Young people, drunk, and disorderly.
We shouldn't be surprised. The lack of coverage on our televisions about anything positive is minimal. Yet, reality shows are on every channel, endlessly.

As Ken points out, people need to be given meaning and hope in their lives, through music, theatre, arts and literature.
I couldn't agree more.

This should be tackled on many fronts. Adults should have easy access to inspiring and enriching programmes, which is where the T.V. companies should take some responsibility.
Children are our future. If all they know is 'Big Brother', how can we expect them to appreciate the arts?

Atarah Ben Tovim recognised this problem years ago and has actively been inspiring children around the world with her television programmes and school concerts. Robin worked with her many times throughout the mid 70's and early 80's, and Atarah continues with her good work today.
We need more strong, inspiring, characters like her around.
However, I don't think we have heard the end of Kenneth Woods view on the subject.
If he has some ideas up his sleeve, to improve the lot of our younger generation, then he can count us in.

Guitarist nails to Elgar

You'll have to wait a little longer for the music as Robin is out of town and has his computer with him.
He has actually travelled the length of the country to visit a nail specialist, who spends her time sorting out guitarists nails, from all around the world.
This is an ongoing problem, that I suspect, all guitarists face. In fact, during a recent exchange of comments with Kenneth Woods, over on 'View from the podium', he pointed out, that he could have never been a classical guitarist for just this reason.
At least it's nice to know that others appreciate the problem.
Lets hope some solutions are found today. Ironically, Robin's nails were in pretty good shape, when he set off yesterday. However, he had to make the appointment when he was home long enough to attend!

Meanwhile, here, and at The Daily Telegraph, Elgar appreciation continues. A report by Simon Heffer discusses the 'meaning of Englishness', and as one critic once commented, 'Elgar wrote the soundtrack of the Empire', so it seems a good place to start.
It's so nice to find people that are able to admire and enjoy home grown talent, not a skill we are known for in the UK.
Heffer ends his article on Elgar, "He is a true landmark of our culture, a life-enhancer, but also, as all great men must be, a towering example."
Here, here.
Read it for yourself, 'Listen to Elgar and learn the meaning of greatness'.

From Salmon at Sea to the Nielsen Flute Concerto

As Robin is 'at sea', gradually heading towards New York, he is making good use of the time by working on a Bach Prelude. That was after he had dined on a salmon omelette for breakfast - I hope he's doesn't expect that when he gets home...
Yesterday I had wanted to listen to BBC Radio 3, 'Discovering Music', as Kenneth Woods had brought the programme to my attention. ( I was also delighted to read that he is a Frank Zappa fan!)
As I was out at the time, this morning I investigated the BBC Radio 3 playback and was able to listen to the whole thing.
Stephen Johnson took us through the Nielsen Flute Concerto, with the soloist Sharon Bezaly, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and conductor, Kenneth Woods.
It really brightened up a wet Easter Monday, with an interesting exploration of the piece before the performance.
As I listened I was supervising son number one in the art of grating cheese ready for a sauce. After he left, I was so distracted by my listening, that the Hillhouse canines helped themselves to the whole lot, right behind my back.
It's time their master returned to restore some discipline.
I guess lasagne is off tonight, we'll have to have bolognese instead...