New York, nearly

The final concert on board was, again, very well attended and received. Robin had done an in-house t.v. interview prior to the show which he had enjoyed and had obviously had the desired effect.
He finds the time after the last concert, and before arriving at his destination, the hardest part. He feels he's done the job and wants to get home. However that's hard mid-Atlantic!
He did manage to find a few guests to play tennis and table tennis, so it wasn't all bad.
Whilst away on this trip our youngest son turned 4 years old. Robin finds it difficult to be away at the best of times, but to miss a birthday was very difficult.
A friend called in with a present on the day and had the brainwave to photograph both boys holding up a message and e mail it to him.
This we did and Robin was delighted!
Thank goodness for modern technology.

Reduced to Tears

I heard from Robin after the first concert on board the QM2. The theatre is huge, seating well over 1000 people, and was more or less full on this occasion. Nerve wracking for any performer. However, the true professional prevailed, and Robin delivered a fantastic concert. He sold out of Cd's and still has one concert to do.
Some of the audience were reduced to tears, which I am assuming was through pleasure and not pain!
To have the ability to move people in such a way is amazing and Cunard should be delighted that they have such a talent on board.
Throughout the ages people have turned to music as a source of comfort and reassurance. The world needs uplifting by fantastic music to remind us that it is not all bad.
Musicians around the world need to persevere and hopefully the general public will gradually realise that classical music is not to be feared but enjoyed.

Hornby Concert

The Hill/Wiltschinsky Duo enjoyed a fantastic concert in Hornby. It was very well attended which was a credit to the promotor, as Hornby Institute has only recently started putting on concerts, and is in a rather rural part of Lancashire.
The duo go from strength to strength, their musicality still amazes me, and I hear them all the time.
The programme is varied and exciting which the audience seem to love as we sold out of Cd's!
There wasn't much time to relax though as after 4 hours sleep Robin was off to the airport again, once more joining the QM2.
I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Busy Time

I can't believe how long it has been since my last entry. The main cause was a technical problem which has now been resolved.
Whilst I have been off air Robin has travelled the Atlantic again. He did two more concerts on the QM2 which were very well received and he is going off again on Sunday!
So far the guitar has survived being in the hold of the plane mainly because it is inside two cases. Nevertheless it is a constant concern for Robin and all musicians.
Robin is particularly busy this week as he has a duo concert with Peter Wiltschinsky on Saturday. This means he is in full rehearsal for the duo programme and also the two solo programmes he will be playing next week!
Life is never dull but always hectic..

Nail Problems

For all guitarists nails are a constant source of trouble. Whilst I get by with a small manicure set, Robin has a bag full of various pieces of equipment that are needed for maintenance and emergency repairs.
Whilst performing the other day the nail on the third finger of his right hand flew off. He had to stop playing and luckily found the piece easily and managed to reattach the offending part with the aid of nail glue and silk. He got through the rest of the concert without any further trouble.
However, a few days later, a simple carrier bag got the better of the repair, and after unloading some shopping he realised the nail had gone.
Their was no hope this time of finding the missing piece. The family have long since learnt when to keep out of the way!
Some time later he emerged from the music room with his new, shaped nail, constructed out of layers of silk and glue. It sounded great and the trauma was over.
It's not surprising that DIY is not a strong point for most musicians.