House Concerts with Robin Hill

Isn't it strange how trends ebb and flow over hundreds of years?
Here I am about to discuss a phenomena that has taken America by storm and is beginning to make waves here in the UK.

A house concert is literally that.
A concert in your own home.
You don't even need a particularly large space as the whole point is to create an intimate environment in which to enjoy live music.
Think miniature Carnegie or Wigmore Hall in your own living room.

Generally these are private events and all that is needed is a reasonably sized group of friends to share the experience with you.

But in the area of classical music, this is certainly nothing new.
Musicians toured, performing at peoples homes as a matter of course, through the 16th/17th/18th and 19th Centuries.
Frequently they would compose a piece of music specifically for their host or patron, sometimes to celebrate a particular event.
For example, John Dowland's, 'The Earl of Essex Galliard' and 'Mrs Vaux's Gigge'.

Whilst lutenists may have paved the way, the guitar is ideally suited to concerts in intimate environments where it can be heard at its unamplified best.

Robin is used to performing concerts in a variety of settings.
From major venues with audiences in the thousands, (I think the largest being with Pavarotti were there were 25 000, and 3 500 for a performance of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the Liverpool Philharmonic, and I don't know how many when he played the James Bond theme at the Proms in the Park, London!).
Or T.V. shows beamed to 6 million viewers (admittedly he couldn't see them all but he knew they were there...), to average sized smaller venues of a couple of hundred people.

But Robin, like many musicians, actually enjoys performing in smaller settings.
To be able to see the audience, (stage lights usually mean you can't make out any details past the first few rows), and receive immediate feedback, is very rewarding.
Robin has actually frequently performed what are now called, 'House Concerts'. Often they have been associated with events, an example being a surprise birthday party for a lifelong guitar enthusiast and maker.
You can imagine how pleased he was to find Robin in his lounge, right in front of him, and to have the chance to speak to him between pieces!

So now you can take advantage of the centuries old tradition of holding your very own House Concert.
For anyone with an interest in music, the guitar in particular, the opportunity to observe a performance in such close proximity, and have the chance to talk to Robin about technique, hand positions, scales and arpeggios, the price of fish.. whatever you like really, would be highly enjoyable for both parties.

Neither does it matter where you live.
Robin performs all over the world as it is.
We would simply tie it in with his schedule, or even promote a tour simply for house concerts in your area/country.
All you have to do is contact me to discuss availability, length of concert required etc. I should also point out that it won't cost the host house anything! All will be explained when you contact me.
It really is that simple. Steve Lawson (solobasssteve), has recently toured the US, organising many of his house concerts through twitter whilst en route!

So contact me, in whatever format you prefer....
Give it a try and be the envy of your friends!

A Song, A Soprano, and A Book

Where's Izzy Cooper when you need her?
Robin is currently working on a few arrangements for the concerts in August.
They are sounding great, but there is a problem.
He keeps seeking me out, and asking me, to sing the soprano part.

The problem is, I'm not a singer.
By any stretch of the imagination, I am not a singer.
I'd love to be a singer, and have tried recording various songs of Robin's, over the years.
And he has always, very patiently, manned the recording equipment, before playing back the 'take', and trying to disguise the nervous tick that starts to develop.

But I am trained to observe, and I also have ears.
I can hear that I am no singer.
I can also see the flicker of pain as it crosses the sensitive musician's face.
That's OK though, we got past all that years ago.

So today, as he asks me to sing some parts for him, he is under no illusions, and neither am I.
Basically we are checking that the notes are all in the right places...
The children have escaped to another room and the dogs have their paws over their ears.

Actually, I'm doing myself an injustice.
I'm not that bad, as non-professional singers go, I'm OK.
But Robin has spent parts of his career working with some incredible singers, Pavarotti, Russell Watson, Madeline Bell, etc.
So my 'singing round the house' style just can't compete.

Luckily, I'm not trying to make a living out of it.
I have however just completed a book.
A whole book, from start to finish, written.
I still have some editing to do, and the small matter of getting an agent and publisher, but I won't let that spoil the mood.
It's not everyone that can say they have written a book...

Led Zeppelin and Pavarotti

With all the papers talking of the reunion of Led Zeppelin for a one off concert in November, after a 19 year break, I just couldn't resist showing you this photo again.





Yes, it's Robin, playing his Gibson Les Paul guitar, with a very, 'Led Zeppelin' look about him.
He was going to record a version of 'Stairway To Heaven' especially for you, but, unfortunately even Robin on his guitar can't compete with the pneumatic drill outside...
You can however read, and listen, to Robin playing the electric guitar by following this link to a previous post on the band, 'Force Ten'.

In an unrelated story, it was rather sad to read a report by Nick Pisa, how unhappy Pavarotti was prior to his death, a situation that his family have been quick to deny. I do hope his comments to a friend in the late stages of his illness were just a symptom of his advancing vulnerability rather than marital problems.

'High Fives' for the 'Great Tenor' - Pavarotti has Died

I'm sure that most of the blogging world will be discussing the death of Luciano Pavarotti, who died this morning, at the age of 71. You can read Malcolm Moore's report here.

It's sad when anyone dies, but characters as big as Pavarotti, in every sense of the word, don't happen too often.
His popularity has introduced many thousands of people to the area of classical music, and more specifically, opera, which is an achievement in itself.
Amongst musicians there was always an element of 'fear' when chosen to perform with him, as he had very clear ideas of what he wanted to hear. However there was also a huge pride at being offered that role.

This happened twice to Robin, although the second performance was cancelled due to Pavarotti's failing health.
Robin sat very near to him and felt his presence was even more powerful in person than he anticipated.
Pavarotti never spoke to the musicians directly, it was always done through the conductor, (despite his large voice he was very quietly spoken), but Robin could hear everything he said.
Believe me, Robin was very keen to give a note perfect performance and interpretation, for fear of the wrath of the great man.
It went well though and Robin was fine, unlike some of the orchestral members....

In the last few days of his life the Italian government awarded him a prize to recognise his achievements, shortly after La Scala announced a new Luciano Pavarotti award.
Pavarotti is said to have been "happy at the recognition", and it was nice for him to hear about these awards, instead of them being issued after his death. I do hope he took them as acknowledgments of his achievements and not notification of his moribund state.

Pavarotti was passionate about life and passionate about his music and will be greatly missed.