John Williams, Andres Segovia and a Can of ....

Recently we heard that John Williams was to play at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
He performs there regularly and we always try to go whenever possible.
It is always a great evening, and a delight to have the opportunity to see such an incredible player, so close to home.
However on this occasion we won't be able to attend as Robin will be away from home, giving his own recital.

But this generated a conversation about the rare chances one has to see such players, and how important it is to take those chances whenever possible.

We have both been very lucky in that we were able to see Andres Segovia perform on a number of occasions.

Generally thought of as the 'Daddy of all classical guitar players', it was always a wonderful experience.
Even in his final days as a performer, when he was helped onto the stage, he still had the ability to hold an audience rapt.

On one of the occasions that Robin saw Andres Segovia, he was lucky enough to be backstage after the event.
As he walked through the warren of corridors, that always seem to accompany the area behind the scenes, he heard the guitar being played.

He walked on, very aware that he was within feet of one of his idols.
As he passed the open door of Segovia's dressing room, Robin glanced in, only to see the maestro, guitar in hand, sipping from a can of 7Up fizzy drink.
Given that Segovia was in his 80's at this point, it seemed rather incongruous.

What I would give to have captured that image on film...

Harry Potter Meets J.S. Bach - Sort of...

We are all a little bleary eyed here at Hillhouse this morning.
Son number one wanted to go to our local Waterstones bookshop at midnight to collect a copy of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.
As we encourage reading, and wanted him to participate in the 'collective experience', in a mad moment we agreed.

Some years ago when Harry Potter exploded onto the scene, there was great excitement here when Robin was asked to play at the 'Proms in the Park', and was therefore sitting on stage when the John William's score was first performed.

Prior to this expedition I had to go out.
I left the house at 7pm, Robin was in the music room, working on a Bach minuet which is part of one of the many projects currently underway here.
Robin is in the process of recording a number of CDs, one of which is made up entirely of the music of J.S.Bach.
As Robin is frequently away from home, he has to make the most of the times that he is here.

I returned 4 1/2 hours later to find son number one desperately trying to keep his eyes open and Robin in exactly the same position - still practising.
He assured me that he had stopped to put son number two to bed, and when I checked he was in pyjamas, in bed, and asleep, so I had to believe that some adult involvement had taken place.
This was an ideal evening for Robin.
Normally by about 10 or 10.30pm I tend to storm the music room or recording studio and insist it's time to stop.
Last night he was able to pursue his perfect evening unhindered. (Especially as son number one was keeping a very low profile in case he was sent to bed for looking too tired...)

On my return Robin finally put his guitar away at 11.45pm and off they went to purchase the book.
They thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being out at that time of night, despite the presence of local drunks spilling out of the pubs, and taunting the excited shoppers as they waited for the store to open.
When they told their story on their return it reminded me of the blog Kenneth Woods did a few weeks ago about a similar experience.
I can only hope that it has put son number one off excess alcohol consumption when he is a little older and inspired him to much greater things....