Everyone Wants To Be One - A Musician That Is...

Actors want to be one.
Ex-Presidents experiment with saxophones.
And a soon to be ex-Prime Minister wants to be an axe man...

An article in 'The Sunday Telegraph', by Tim Walker and Richard Eden, reports that our very own Prime Minister has a desire to reform his band, 'Ugly Rumours'.
Not only that, but apparently, he has been doing a lot of practice whilst running the country, as it helps him unwind.

Well, as you know, Robin is also a mean electric guitar player. I refer you to a previous blog, 'Force Ten To Be Reckoned With', if you would like to have a listen.
He did after all, play with both Deep Purple and Jethro Tull, but that's another story.

It's not of course, unprecedented that rock and jazz musicians turn to politics, Bob Geldof, Bono, Frank Zappa and Dizzy Gillespie spring to mind.

But for Mr.Tony Blair, from Wednesday, he may find himself at a loose end. I'm sure it must be something of a shock to the system when you step down as Prime Minister.
If he would like, he can always give us a call, and we'll set up a few lessons.
But now, I have to go and have a long talk with Robin......
as he has expressed a secret desire to be Prime Minister in the not too distant future....

The Frustrations of a Modern Day Composer

Robin put his new pieces on a disc yesterday and we sat back and listened.
For him this is a frustrating process, as what you hear from any computer generated programme, is not as it sounds in his head.
Sibelius is a fantastic tool, and the orchestral sounds are pretty realistic, but nothing can replace real musicians.
An orchestra brings a piece to life, and allows it to breathe at the appropriate moments, interpreting the composers intention under the guidance of a skilled conductor.
But as we have neither orchestra or conductor stashed away under the stairs, for now, we'll have to make do.
However, today, Robin did have a play around with the programme, and managed to add more expression, so we are another step nearer to what he is trying to achieve.
It did prompt a discussion on the advantage/disadvantage modern composers have compared to their predecessors.
Until recently the technology just wasn't available for them to hear their scores played back.
For me as the non-musician, I felt it must make life easier for the modern day composer.
Robin, as the musician, wasn't as sure. It certainly is nice to hear your work, but, he already knows in his own mind what it is going to sound like, and until that is achieved by real orchestral musicians, he will always be disappointed.
However, as Frank Zappa once said, even when your music is recorded by a real orchestra, there will still always be parts you're not happy with.
I guess that for musicians, as they evolve, so does their music. It's part of the artistic process.

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...

Rodrigo, Frank Zappa, Charlie Mingus and The Beatles...

Sunday morning in the Hill household is traditionally a time to sit back and listen to some music.
Robin has flown from Mombasa to Nairobi and is waiting for his flight to Heathrow.
In between 'phone calls about the safety of his guitar I am sure he is listening to his ipod.
So I felt it was up to me to maintain standards at home. As a concession to an absent father I allowed son number one to take control of the remote.
His initial choice was Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez', I was pleased with that. As a very small child he had been so used to hearing Robin practice this piece, for a concert with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, that he used to sing along in his cot.
Then he selected 'Dog Breath Variations' and 'G-Spot Tornado', both by Frank Zappa, and finally a bit of Charlie Mingus.
Not bad for a 10 year old, his dad will be delighted when I tell him.
Son number two only made one choice and that was 'Hello, Goodbye' by The Beatles.
I feel justified in announcing that their musical education is coming along nicely.