Nigel Kennedy Proms 2008 - Monocle Poppin' Innit?

Thank you to the BBC.
Last night we were treated to the recording of Nigel Kennedy's performance at the BBC Proms 2008.
It proved to be an oasis in the cultural void that is television today.

What a pleasure to see Kennedy perform Elgar's Violin Concerto with the passion, mastery and skill of the true virtuoso that he is.

His ability to engage not only the audience, but also the BBC Concert Orchestra, shows the mutual respect that was justly deserved.

As if one concerto wasn't enough, Kennedy then went on to play with his Polish Jazz Quintet, proving once again that he is a true maestro.
I have said many times on this blog that it is rare for a classical musician to play convincingly in other genres, but Kennedy is one of those rare musicians.

The fact that he had just played Elgar brilliantly, emphasised the quality of his musicianship, and only added to the quintet's kudos and gravitas.
It is always such a delight to observe any musician when so engrossed in his music, whether Elgar or his own compositions, and on this occasion Nigel Kennedy did the world a huge favour with these inspired performances.

Jeff Beck's playing was truly fantastic, and, with the addition of Kennedy's version of 'Third Stone from the Sun' also being performed, (I don't recall ever previously hearing Jimi Hendrix's music at the Proms), it was a hugely refreshing change.

People like Nigel Kennedy are extremely rare.
We should cherish those with such ability and allow them to grow and develop.

Nigel Kennedy - Running on Pure Adrenalin

As Nigel Kennedy prepares to perform Elgar's Violin Concerto tonight at the BBC Proms 2008 you can be assured that he won't have ingested any prescribed medication to combat nerves prior to his concert.

However, what he does after the performance, in order to relax, may be a different matter.
This point was recently highlighted in many newspapers and blogs.

One example was in The Guardian blog with a post from the American oboist, journalist and author of 'Mozart in the Jungle', Blair Tindall.

Apparently Kennedy is against musicians taking prescribed drugs for stage fright, but not adverse to occasional cannabis use.

This whole topic reminded me of a post I ran almost a year ago which looked at Robin's views of the use of beta blockers to combat nerves, 'Sex, Drugs and Classical Music.'

So, apart from the cannabis, I think we fall into the same camp as Nigel Kennedy, which I must say isn't a bad place to be.
I'm actually far more concerned that I will only be able to hear his performance at the proms tonight on Radio 3, and not see it on any of the available television stations, despite huge coverage in the media....

From, Fish - Brain Food for Musicians, to Oscar Peterson, to Elgar

We had an interesting discussion last night.
Robin declared that prior to each concert on board the QM2, he had the desire/need to eat fish, salmon for breakfast, and whatever was available for lunch.
Now, it has long been known that fish is 'brain food', and this, Robin felt, was the root of his need.
One could think that it was maybe caused by a return to the basic hunter/gatherer instinct, he was after all mid-Atlantic, and therefore, presumably, surrounded by many thousands of our scaly friends.
But I think not.
His body was telling him that his brain needed a little extra on the days of his concerts.
During the talk, I went down the path of, 'well, you have a good, balanced diet, and the majority of the need must be in your fingers and their agility.'
No.
Robin is adamant, and I'm sure he's right, that when performing, the hands are acting in a well rehearsed, mechanical way, with both motor and neural memory involved.
But what makes a performance special, is the mind. It's here that the interpretation takes place, the fingers are merely following orders.

To quote Glenn Gould:
"One plays the piano with one's mind not one's fingers."

Robin's theory seemed to serve him well, after all, he delivered two hugely successful guitar concerts.
Naturally, I now get the feeling, that I will be required to add exciting, lovingly prepared fish dishes, to the agenda, as a pre concert ritual.
I'd better go and acquaint myself with the local fishmonger.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, 'Oscar Peterson Misses His Own Tribute'. Simon Houpt reported on a sell out concert in the main auditorium of Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately the jazz legend wasn't well enough to make the journey.
However, a large photograph of him at the piano and smiling broadly, was placed on the stage.
His wife, Kelly, and daughter, Celine, were both in attendance, and were touched by the whole evening.
I'm sure they will return home and tell him how much the public appreciate his contribution to music.

Also, there has been a lot of talk in the UK about Elgar and his 150th anniversary, with many saying that celebrations of Elgar's works, may not necessarily be found abroad.
I was therefore pleased to see this report in the 'Chicago Tribune', 'Elgar At 150. Anybody Care?' by Alan G.Artner.
Artner feels that after 40 years of listening to Elgar's music, that people should care.
Well done.

From Elgar's 150th Anniversary to the Latest Member of The Zimmers?

Today is the 150th anniversary of Elgar's birth. To read more about him you can take a look at 'The Elgar Society' site.
There are many celebrations going on around the country over the next few weeks, and here are a few of them.

Meanwhile, at home, my gran has been over for the day.
She's always interested in current events and keeping up to date with the world of blogging.
She has been following the success of 'The Zimmers', and was rather amused by the video.
If you want to see it, go to this earlier blog of mine, 'From Concerto Premiere Coming Soon to The Zimmers: My Generation', and follow the links.
I think it all went to her head, at 87 years young, she found Robin's Fender Stratocaster, learnt a few power chords and is now hoping for an audition....

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 the Missing Mobile to J.S.Bach to Elgar

OK, so it didn't go quite as planned.
Earlier in the day the car wouldn't start. The AA got it going but suggested we drive it straight to the garage. Coincidentally it was booked in today anyway.
Next problem, Robin is about 10 miles from home, but after 26,120 miles in the last three weeks, surely, this shouldn't be a problem.
Taxi home.
An hour later we get a call from an agent, he's been 'phoning Robin's mobile and all he can get is an Asian taxi driver, with a stammer, asking us to call our own mobile so he can return it.
We do.
The taxi drives back and delivers the 'phone, whilst removing some familiar sunglasses and saying, 'I think these are yours too...'
By now we'd given up on the idea of going out, and had paid the equivalent of a meal, to drive a lonely mobile around the north of England.

Meanwhile, son number one declares, 'It's less stressful going into school for my summer exams this week than it is living in this house'.
I think we've done him a favour there.
So, no car = no shopping = no food.
I'll just have to make some of my famous fava soup. Judging by the e mails I got last time I mentioned this dish, I should point out that 'fava', is in fact broad bean.

All was not lost though.
We discovered the 'Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin', if you like J.S.Bach, then you have to listen to them.
Such energy and vitality, just as you imagine it should sound.
A real treat and well worth missing out on a meal.

The next edited extract from, 'Elgar: An Anniversary Portrait', is by David Cannadine, and titled, 'Canny tycoon or tortured genius?'. Follow the link to read more about Elgar the man.

Happy Birthday Robin!

Yes, today is Robin's birthday.
However, he couldn't take the day off, as he had to go over to Leeds University, where his students are about to sit their exams. He needed to fit some lessons in after all his travels.
No need to worry though. A babysitter is in place so that we can go and have a celebratory meal this evening. Which will in fact also be a belated birthday meal for me.
It should be fun when we get home, as Robin has had a case of wine, and, the board game, 'Scrabble'. That should make for some interesting words...
That is supposing that he manages to stay awake. Jet lag is still playing havoc. He should be fine whilst teaching his guitar students, but I'm not too hopeful when it comes to this evening.

As Elgar had such a difficult time recently in the world of blogs, I'm delighted that 'The Daily Telegraph' are celebrating 'Elgar week', starting with an 'exploration of the composer's Englishness'.
This is an edited extract from a book by Nicholas Kenyon, 'An Anniversary Portrait', which is out on May 28th.
It's well worth reading.

And Now For the Science Bit....

So, Robin is still in the air, en route from Singapore. By the time he gets home tonight, he will have been away for 3 weeks and 12 1/2 hours. He will have been to six different countries, three times in the UK, and twice to Singapore. Ten different cities and travelled a total of 26,120 miles of which 5,954 were nautical.
He has been to Europe, The Americas and Asia.
Ohh, and whilst doing all this has performed five concerts.
I lost track of the time changes weeks ago.
As it can take 72 hours to adjust to a new time zone, Robin's serotonin levels, must be all over the place.
The higher the level, the more likely you are to sleep, which, judging by the messages I've been having, seems to be the case.

The up side, however, is that robin has visited some fantastic places and seen many beautiful and interesting things.
He loved Cochin, and I enjoyed listening to some exotic wildlife in the background, as we talked on the 'phone.
And, of course, he is doing a job that he loves, playing the guitar.
I think he'll need a lie in tomorrow though.....

Meanwhile, here at home, if you like Elgar, there's a great article in 'The Daily Telegraph', written by Michael Kennedy, the author of, 'The Life of Elgar'.
It marks the start of 'Elgar Week', as part of the composer's 150th birthday celebrations which culminate on June 2nd.

Elgar Again, and nearing Grenada

Poor old Elgar, why won't they leave him alone. Read this article by Amy Iggulden.The fact that people like the music, isn't that enough?
Norman Lebrecht says, "He left three works of great stature, the Enigma Variations, the Violin Concerto and the Cello Concerto, but the rest is of rather medium quality."
In my view, if he'd only composed one of those pieces he should still be classed as a 'major figure in music history.'
Well done to Julian Lloyd Webber, and James Inverne from 'Gramaphone', for standing up for Elgar.
Meanwhile out at sea, there is a rumour that someone, somewhere, has put a suitcase with Robin's name on it, on an overnight plane to Grenada.
The QM2 will be docking there later today.
We don't know if this is true, or if it is in fact his case, because, as yet, I still haven't managed to speak to a 'person' at BA. Still, six days 'on hold' isn't bad, is it?
Until I hear from Robin I don't think I'll believe it, so you'll have to check back later to see if it has arrived.

Happy Birthday - Sir William Walton

After Elgar's removal from banknotes here in the UK, I thought I'd better make a stand for another great English composer, Sir William Walton, especially as it would have been his birthday today.
Walton was born in Oldham, Lancashire, but lived the later years of his life on the Mediterranean Island of Ischia. I can't say I blame him, Lancashire is known for its wet weather, which is why there used to be a huge cotton industry here. Sorry Oldham, but I think Ischia would win every time.
In the 1920's and 30's Walton was considered the most important English composer of his generation.
In 1970/1 he composed 'Five Bagatelles for Solo Guitar', as a 50th birthday present for Malcolm Arnold which were dedicated to the guitarist Julian Bream.
In fact Walton was so pleased with the Bagatelles that in 1972 he composed 'Varii Capricci for Orchestra' based on them, which was one of the last pieces he wrote before his death in 1983. (He did actually rewrite the final movement in 1977).
So Happy Birthday Walton.

Meanwhile, Robin has been working hard on finalising two programmes for next week, so the music room door has been firmly shut whilst he prepares. He did emerge to take the dogs for a walk in the Lancashire drizzle though...

The Bank of England - Patriotic - I Don't Think So

As I had my first cup of coffee of the day I went on my usual morning visit to Jessica Duchen's site. She was discussing an article written by Stephen King, it's well worth a visit as I'm sure the comments will be flooding in, especially as the story has now been picked up in Italy. (Well done Jessica!).
King's article left me rather perplexed and resulted in me leaving a long and rambling comment on Jessica's site.
However, the feeling didn't leave me, and I have been thinking it over ever since.
It's all about the recent removal of Elgar from the 20 pound note in the UK. Strange that they should choose the 150th anniversary to do this, but then banks work in mysterious ways.
What made me cross was that King says "his appearance represents a peculiar celebration of mediocrity", and that he should never have been on in the first place.
Let me quote from 'The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'.

Sir Edward Elgar:
"His abundant invention, largeness of vision, and strength and singularity of musical character place him high among European Romantic artists and at the peak of British music of his time. He drew inspiration from the culture and landscape of his own country, resourcefulness from the study of his continental colleagues; and he worked in all the major forms except opera, creating a significant body of symphonic literature, the finest oratorio by an Englishman, and in his popular music a style of direct national appeal."

The list of works covers nearly four pages.

Mediocre is not a word I would use in connection with Elgar, but then maybe King, Head of Economics at HSBC bank, knows something that Groves Dictionary (or musicians bible) doesn't.

Many of the points I raised on Jessica's site I shall probably return to on another day, but one I will follow up now is the British attitude to anyone that succeeds. We seem incapable of appreciating those that do well, whatever their chosen field is, but allow hours of television time on brainless 'reality shows', which really are a celebration of mediocrity.

This is a debate we frequently have here in Hillhouse and Robin has a saying which just about sums it up:

"To the triumph of industry over indolence and merit over mediocrity." Robin Hill.

Oh, by the way, Robin has played for many hours today and is currently dining out in London whilst his fingers recover!