'Lollipop' Shakabuku Films

No time to rest for Robin, he's been over to Leeds University, managing to fit his students in before his next trip.
So today I am going to mention something completely different, but related to us, as a family.
The other day I did a post on an interview with 'Lancashire magazine' and in it I mentioned son number one getting publicity in his own right. You can read that blog here.

Since then there have been a few people wanting to know what it is that he has done.
Well, I'll put you out of your misery, and save you a lot of time searching, he is something of an actor.
From a very young age he has always been fascinated by anything to do with film or the stage.
At the age of 7, he was given the part in a short film called 'Lollipop'.
This was directed by Scott Mann, of Shakabuku Films, and did very well, being shown at Cannes Film festival back in 2005, and the 'Kinofilm 10th Manchester International Film Festival' in 2006.

Since then he has made another short film, and a number of corporate videos.
Although I have added a link to 'Shakabuku Films' they appear to currently be having a few technical problems, probably due to high levels of hits as 'The Tournament' is attracting huge publicity, so you may have to check back later.

On the strength of his performance in 'Lollipop', he was initially given a role in Scott Mann's feature length film, 'The Tournament', but, unfortunately the part of the child was later removed from the script.
'The Tournament' is going to be incredible, I've seen the trailer and it's very exciting.
It was filmed last summer in Bulgaria, with Ving Rhames, Kelly Hu, Robert Carlyle, Nick Rowntree , Danny John Jules and many others.
It is currently in the post production stage, but if you like action thrillers then I suggest you watch out for it.

As Shakabuku films go from strength to strength, 'Lollipop' has now appeared on YouTube, and we therefore feel able to put it on the blog.
'Lollipop' is a short, intense drama, about a little boy witnessing the death of his older brother, and then helping his father come to terms with this tragic loss. The film is shot through the eyes of, yes, you got it, son number one, our very own Oliver Hill.
This was an incredible experience for all involved, Scott Mann was exceptional as a director, Nick Rowntree an inspiration as Oliver's father, and both have continued to support and advise him since. His mother was played by Marie Hynes, and brother by Jack Eadie.
He caused quite a stir on the set, being dubbed by the crew as, 'Mini De Niro' due to his ability to concentrate, and the depth of emotion he was able to put across on camera.
As you can imagine, this was all quite a shock to us as parents. Oliver had no training, but, we were told, that was what they liked, his natural ability and ease in front of the camera.
In fact the cameraman, who had just completed 'Sixth Sense' at the time, told us he was "exceptional".

So, that's what son number one does. We don't know what the future holds, it is after all a precarious profession. But I feel sure he will be involved in films, one way or another.
For now though, get a box of tissues at the ready, and enjoy, 'Lollipop'.

A Professor Calls and 'Luna Bianco'

A little light relief for a cold November day.
My grandmother came to spend the day with us here at the weekend.
Over lunch Robin announced that a rather eccentric Professor of music was calling round later in the afternoon.
'Friederich', the prof, specialises in old manuscripts, and had some pieces that he wanted Robin to take a look at.
My grandmother was very excited about this. She worked at a university for many years and has always enjoyed stimulating conversations.

Robin stressed that Friederich was quite a character, and, prone to arriving early for appointments.
He then made a big deal of preparing to take the dogs for a walk, whilst in reality he shut the poor canines in the kitchen, and hid upstairs.

Some time later the doorbell rang and son number one dutifully answered it, making polite conversation with the Professor in the hallway, before bringing him into the lounge and introducing 'Friederich' to 'Gran'.

After initial introductions, the professor pulled out the precious manuscripts from his battered briefcase and proceeded to extol the virtues of this fabulous music.

By this time I had also entered the room, and the prof excitedly pointed out bar 25, and started to sing along as he followed the music with his finger. All done very loudly and with rather eccentric hand gestures.

I left the room as the professor asked my grandmother, "Do you love ze muzic of Ludwig Van Beethoven?"
"Oh yes", she replied.

"Iz ze maestro returned from his valk yet?"
"No, not yet", was my response from the hall where I was taking refuge.

After further small talk and manic gesticulation from the professor, he announced that he needed to play this, 'sublime phrase' on the piano, and left the room.

Poor grandmother was looking decidedly bemused by the whole experience and asked son number one if the Professor was alright.
To which he replied, "Yes, of course".

But we couldn't keep the illusion up any longer, and Robin reappeared, pulling off a wig and glasses as he entered.
Fortunately Gran took it all in the spirit it was intended and hasn't stopped chuckling about it since.

This is the Professor, in all his glory:



The wig was from the children's fancy dress box, and the shirt, well, that's a real 1970's shirt, a memento from a tour Robin did with Atarah Ben Tovim.
I'm just hoping that Robin hasn't taken this outfit over to Leeds University where he's teaching today...

It's also hard to believe that the same professor composed track 14 on Virtuoso.
'Luna Bianco' has a slow bossa nova groove with a short improvised solo in the middle.
The piece was inspired by the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, which Robin has long admired and loved.

Daydreaming and the Theory of Relativity

For any of you readers that take the time to check out this blog, whilst at work, I have some good news.
I found an article in the 'Los Angeles Times' that could give you the power you need if your boss finds you surfing the internet.

The author, Eric Weiner, has written an article about the results of a survey carried out in America.
Apparently, the average American worker 'wastes' slightly more than two hours a day, not doing their job.
The number one culprit is surfing the internet and sending personal emails.

However, Weiner points out that Americans shouldn't feel guilty about this, as they lead the world in worker productivity.
He also says that as jobs are increasingly intruding on our leisure time that the 'blurring' of the work/play divide should become equally hazy.

Weiner uses an excellent example of how workers need time to dawdle and dream to be productive and creative.
In 1905 Albert Einstein worked as a clerk in a Swiss patent office, and was a self-confessed slacker, or, as he himself put it, "respectable federal ink pisser".
But it was whilst gazing out of the window that he had the insight that led to the 'special theory of relativity'.

So, according to Weiner, we shouldn't feel guilty about daydreaming and broadening our minds by distractions at work, as who knows where it will lead.

In fact, Weiner has a book out in January, published by 'TWELVE', 'The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World'.
I'll be getting a copy.
Anyone who tells me it's OK to take a coffee break, surf the net and daydream, are certainly worth investing in.

I'm not sure how that all equates to the UK work ethic,or anywhere else in the world for that matter, but I'm prepared to over look that minor detail as the theory fits in very nicely with my general way of thinking.

So whilst I have been gazing out of the window to fuel my creative tendencies, Robin has been over at Leeds University, working hard with a number of guitar students.
As far as I know, he hasn't been looking out of the window, but only because there aren't any in the teaching room he uses.

But now I'm off to gaze out of the window, surf the net and generally daydream in a completely guilt free manner.
Thank you Eric.

Classical Guitar Students at Leeds University and then to Recording

Robin now, at last, has a spell at home, which we are all very pleased about.
He has quickly settled back into family life, aided by the fact that it is half term here, so both boys are around all day, and eager for his attention.

Today, however, he had to go over to Leeds.
His students at Leeds University, have been very patient, and it is the first time he has seen them this semester.
Robin has just not been here, as he has been away so much recently, giving concerts in a variety of places.
But, the course at Leeds is a performance one, and who better to guide potential classical guitarists, than someone who is actively out there doing it.
It's one thing to read about performance, and, another thing completely, to be up there on the stage.
So often you hear of teachers who never even pick up a guitar during lessons.
It makes you wonder how on earth they put across any information.
So Robin has put his students through their paces and is now back home.

One thing Robin has been desperate to get on with, is some recording, and now, there appears to be a window of opportunity.
His time away hasn't been wasted though.
Many of the pieces he currently performs will be recorded, and, he has been working on many others.
There are also a few surprises up his sleeve which I hope to tell you about as we go along.

The timing, as always seems to be the case, isn't perfect.
Two small boys around the house all week doesn't make for the quietest of environments.
However, they are very aware of the significance of the 'red light', so hopefully, the recording sessions will go uninterrupted...

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.

Robin Teaches in Leeds, I investigate William Grant Still

As Robin is out all day, at Leeds University, putting a few students through their paces prior to their exams, I decided to follow a lead sent to me by one of our American readers, so many thanks to 'kamel'.
I was referred to a story on NPR, (National Public Radio) in the US.
They were running an interview yesterday on William Grant Still, an African/American composer, in which his granddaughter was talking about his life. Although unable to hear the entire interview with Judith Ann Still, extracts are available here.
It's a fascinating story which depicts the problems faced by a black composer/performer throughout his life.
He was born in 1885, Mississippi, and as a child enjoyed listening to opera with his stepfather and also attending concerts.
By 1914 he was playing the oboe and cello professionally, and thanks to an inheritance from his father, was able to undertake further musical studies at Oberlin College, until he was recruited into the navy where he remained until after the war.
Throughout his career he dedicated his life to composing/arranging/conducting and performing.
Still's has been characterized as an :
'American composer whose musical works included African American themes and spanned jazz, popular, opera, and classical genres.
He created over 150 musical works including a series of five symphonies, four ballets and nine operas.'
Whilst listening to the interview it struck me how sad it was that Still was not only struggling to get pieces performed in the same way as many composers do, but also had to deal with huge prejudice.
He did, however, continue with his quest throughout his life, despite the many obstacles.
I must confess that I was not familiar with his works, but having read/listened to an account of his life, was intrigued, and have since listened to some of the many pieces available. So far, I have really enjoyed what I have heard, and you can 'feel' the 'American' style of orchestration shining through. This is something of which his family are rightly proud.
He was unsuccessful in getting any of his music recorded whilst he was alive, but his family have since rectified the situation and now his music can live on through the various and varied available albums.

Cape Town Now Calling

Robin has now arrived in Cape Town and made the short journey from the airport to join 'Crystal Serenity'. On the way he passed the Groote Schuur Hospital where Professor Christiaan Barnard made medical history in 1967 when he carried out the first human heart transplant.
The weather so far hasn't been quite as predicted, it's currently cloudy and wet. Apparently the locals find it very difficult driving in the rain and it has a similar effect to the traffic problems the UK faces when it snows!
I'm sure it is only temporary as he said the sun was trying to come out. I was rather amused to be able to report that it is a beautiful sunny day here.
He can however console himself in his luxury suite, with balcony, currently overlooking Cape Town's most famous landmark Table Mountain. (if he could see it for the mist...)
If he takes a walk to the other side of the ship he can see Robben Island. Yes, that is the prison island that held South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Mandela.
OK, that's the end of your geography/history lesson.
Robin is delighted to be reunited with his guitar, which coped well with the journey, and is no doubt putting it through its paces now.
He had a funny e mail waiting for him from Leeds University. The students have to fill in an evaluation form and under 'any further comments' one of them had put 'Robin Hill's Fab'......

An Hour with an Author

It's always an honour when an author contacts you to ask a few questions and establish your opinion.
Last week Dr.Kevin Dawe, a senior lecturer at Leeds University, School of Music, asked to meet up with Robin.
As he was over at the university today, putting a few students through their paces, they arranged to get together.
They spent a happy hour talking about all things connected with the guitar.
Dr.Dawe's book, 'The World in Our Hands: The Guitar in Music, Culture, and Society', looks like it will be an excellent read.
Robin was able to shed a little light on things from a performers point of view, and left a copy of his own book, 'The Guitar Gymnasium', for Dr.Dawe to read.
Apparently the guitar was chosen as 'No other instrument has travelled the world like the guitar, its presence is found in local cultures across the planet..., and few instruments are as embedded in an almost complete range of musical genres...'
I told you it was a fantastic instrument.