Concert, Corruption, and Recording Company Chaos

Before I discuss the music on 'Arrival' I did promise to give you a little insight into its background.
This particular story does highlight the challenges that musicians sometimes have to face in order to get their music heard, and, occasionally, the murkier side of the classical music recording industry.
Really, this is a re-release as the recording dates from 1983, but, as it is no longer available, we felt that it was important to make use of the modern way of delivering music to the world, and release it on the digital market.

The story really starts before the recording was actually made, around 1982/3.
A man, whom shall always remain well and truly nameless, in fact I shall call him Mr.X, went to see Hill/Wiltschinsky play at the Hexagon in Reading, UK.
He was most enthusiastic after the concert and very keen to sign the duo up for a record label he was in the process of forming.

So keen was he, that he booked, and paid for, one of the best recording studios in Manchester, at that time, Pluto Studios.
Recording of the album took about a week, which is an incredible feat, especially when you consider that there was very little editing as this was such a cumbersome process then.

Mr.X also wanted to manage the duo and he sent a contract to be signed.
It was at this point that alarm bells started ringing.
It was a very poor deal, with issues too numerous to mention, although one was that the duo would have to pay travel expenses wherever Mr. X travelled worldwide...
It must be remembered that this was to be the duo's first recording, and they were very keen to have it released, but had to balance this against the fear of financial exploitation.

They decided the contract was unsound, and Robin arranged, and met Mr.X. for a showdown in a local hotel, and explained that he wasn't happy to sign the contract.
The irate reaction was, "I'm gonna sit on this goddam album and it will never see the light of day."

This was obviously not a good position to be in.
The duo needed this album releasing and were rightfully proud of it.
Also, it should be remembered that at this time it wasn't as easy as it is today to record and promote music. The backing of a record company was a great achievement.

Fortunately, Robin, whilst angry, frustrated, and shocked, managed to keep his cool.
He left the hotel and immediately drove to the recording studio, unsure whether the master tapes were still there, or, whether they had already been collected by Mr.X.
Luckily, they were still there, so Robin paid for them and removed them from the premises, all carried out whilst thinking that X could arrive at any moment, and cause a great deal of trouble.
He didn't and Robin made his escape with the precious master recording.
Mr.X did go to the studio the next day to collect the masters, and was utterly furious to find them already gone.
He did threaten legal action, which we later found out was quite ironic.
It was discovered that he had spent time in jail in the UK, and was being urgently sought by the Canadian police for fraud. True to their reputation they got their man, arrested him, returned him to Canada, and imposed another lengthy jail sentence.
We never heard from him again.

So, the duo found themselves in the position of having a finished recording, and no label to put it on.
It was taken to London and had very favourable responses from a number of companies, and it was decided to sign to 'Hyperion' for a 10 year period, and was eventually released in 35 countries, on both vinyl and cassette, as 'Virtuoso Music for Two Guitars'.

After a traumatic start this album proved to be a turning point for the duo, who went on to record many more times, with various, high profile, labels.
All the stresses that Robin went through to ensure this album wasn't destroyed were certainly worth it.
In fact, he was in Tower Records, New York City, in 1986, and it was the only guitar duo recording that they had, which was a very proud moment.

As this recording has now been unavailable for a few years, and had such an impact on the classical guitar world at the time, we felt it needed to be heard once more.
The change of title?
Well, after that sort of start in life, wouldn't you want a new beginning?

Quebec Calling

Amazing what a few 'phone calls and a couple of hours on dry land can do.
Not to mention a little retail therapy.
This is Robin, sporting a rather splendid hat, freshly purchased in the old quarter of Quebec.



It should certainly keep him warm over the winter months as he undertakes his daily dog walking!
Robin has allowed himself a little time off to explore Quebec, as, it is the first time he has been to Canada.
It looks and sounds beautiful.
One of the tourists sites claim, 'unparalleled romance', so, it's rather unfortunate that I'm not there.
Oh well, maybe next time....
His time ashore was limited though, as he needs to prepare for the third and final concert of the trip, which is tomorrow.

Yehudi Menuhin, Robin Hill and the Psychology of Performance

I'm getting rather mixed messages from the QE2.
The second concert went very well last night and there was a large and appreciative audience. The programme was very much enjoyed, and, there have been many wonderful comments.
However Robin wasn't pleased with it.
There was no particular reason for this, which was making it difficult for me to reply, with any form of reassurance.
So I turned to Robin's own book, 'The Guitar Gymnasium', and read his chapter on 'Performance and Practice'.
At one point Robin refers to Yehudi Menuhin's book, 'Unfinished Journey', and whilst the instrument may be different, the psychology is the same:

"The performing violinist continually reviews the hours, days and weeks preceding a performance, charting the many elements that will release his potential - or put a brake on it. He knows that when his body is exercised, his blood circulating, his stomach light, his mind clear, the music ringing in his heart, his violin clean and polished, it's strings in good order, the bow hair full and evenly spread, then - but then only - he is in command. But neglect of the least of these elements must gnaw his conscience. The audience, even the critic, may not suspect his troubled conscience, or may ascribe a blemish to an irrelevant cause, all unaware of the player's silent admission of insufficiency, his self-disgust, his begging to be given another chance. Even if no fault is noted, the audience's plaudits, their stamping and standing, are of no comfort to him then." Yehudi Menuhin.

So as you can see, Robin is in very good company, with any doubts he may have.
I suspect that the loss of a days practise, due to illness, was enough to upset his equilibrium.
However, he has one more concert to perform on the QE2, which will be on Sunday.
As he is docking in Quebec, Canada, later today, I will at last have the chance to speak to him again.
I must remember to tell him to read his own chapter on performance and remind himself just how difficult it is!