Reviews

'As always, it was sheer pleasure to observe Robin Hill's remarkable fluent technique: everything looks easy when he plays it.' Colin Cooper- Classical Guitar Magazine ----- 'Wonderful for their (Hill & Wiltschinsky) precision, touch and clarity of sound... refined virtuosity, the achievement of a long interpretive process.' Il Giornale D'Italia (Rome) ----- 'I loved your CD and thought your technique and performance were fabulous...' Rick Wakeman
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Acapulco Again

Robin spent yesterday in Acapulco, Mexico.
As his first concert isn't until Friday, he allowed himself some time on land, and went to visit a few familiar places.
He was, after all, only there a few weeks ago, and likes it very much.
But Robin doesn't always seek out the tourist sights.
His obsession with the guitar is all consuming.
This is one place he found in one of the back streets of Acapulco.



These guitars may not be like his Miguel Rodriguez 'Churchdoor', but it's a great photo, and a scene you are unlikely to come across in any street in the UK!

If cars are more your thing, then the Mexicans seem particularly keen on PT Cruisers.
Here is the latest delivery:



Robin is now back out at sea and will be cruising the Pacific for the next two days, on the QE2.
So that should give him plenty of time to prepare for his concert.

Meanwhile I am recovering from the early start that the new school term brings.
I'm about to make another cup of coffee to ease my way into the day, and any guilt of drinking this stimulant, has been dispelled by this recent report.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Cabo San Lucas, Hard Rock Cafe, and the Tale of an Iguana

Yesterday Crystal Symphony spent the morning in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a very nice place indeed.
As you can see, the harbour is full of beautiful boats:



In the 40's and 50's Bing Crosby and John Wayne were frequently seen here as they enjoyed the deep sea fishing.

Even today there appears to be something for everyone, including a restaurant called, 'Squid Roe', and a 'Hard Rock Cafe':



Then I had rather a surreal 'phone conversation with Robin which went something like this:

Robin: "It's really beautiful here, and I'm just stroking an Iguana, it's being held by a lady, (crackle, crackle, it wasn't a good line), ...wearing a sombrero."

Me: "Really, wow, an Iguana, that's fantastic. I suppose the lady should be wearing a sombrero, you are in Mexico."

Robin: "No, the Iguana's wearing the sombrero."

Me: "Don't be ridiculous."

The conversation continued in this mode for some time...

Once back on board the photographic evidence was forwarded.
Here it is:



Word is also out that Robin's nail repair kit has proved very handy. Not only for nails and a President's eyebrow, but you can now add stiletto heel to the list.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Mad in Manzanillo

I'm beginning to think that Robin has spent too long on his own.
Without a concert to focus on he appears to be thinking about other projects.
Yesterday he was in Manzanillo, Mexico, and sent a selection of photographs.

The first was titled: 'The New Stage Boots'.



The Second: 'The Mexican Dresses'.



The third: 'The Bandstand'.



The message: "Where's the band?"

Either he feels the need to collaborate with some local musicians, or, the sun has finally got to him...
But, he does now have two days at sea, as the Queen Victoria makes her way to Los Angeles.
Hopefully a gentle breeze from the Pacific Ocean will help to clear his mind.
I do know that he is already thinking about programmes, for the next two overseas trips that he is making, and also running through some new pieces.
So maybe all is not lost.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

An Ornithological Day in Acapulco

The Queen Victoria was in Acapulco yesterday.
As Robin has completed his concerts, he was been able to have a good look round, and liked it very much.
There's a huge sweeping bay, and houses dotted all over the hillside, which he anticipated would look spectacular after dark.

First though, a trip to town turned into rather an ornithological day.
First there was his new friend a parrot:



Apparently he was very heavy but had, 'beautiful plumage'.

Then there were some pelicans having a rest on a small fishing boat:



Even the taxi rank looks interesting, made up entirely of VW Beetles:



So, whilst Robin had 'Fun in Acapulco', I took our two children to the nearest town, so they could spend their Christmas/Birthday money, that was burning a hole in their pockets. We had a good day too!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Guitar Concert One Day, Socks The Next...

As the Queen Victoria makes its way up the coast of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, heading for Mexico, Robin seems to have turned his hand to more domestic issues:



He appears to have developed a new sock drying technique, patent pending, which apparently was highly effective!
Not sure what health and safety would say, but, he assures me he didn't leave the sock unattended...
Now I know I packed enough, 20 pairs in fact.
A handy hint for travellers, insert your socks in your shoes, it saves space in the suitcase, and maintains the shape of the shoe.
I can only imagine that due to the very hot weather, more socks have been required than expected.
He does however say that it is rather a labour intensive method, which makes me think the other 19 pairs will be returning unwashed.....

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Wife of a Musician - Part 2 - Travel

As Robin is on the Queen Victoria, somewhere between Costa Rica and Mexico, it seems appropriate to look at travel, because all musicians have to do it.

Robin's office is his music room, but, every time he goes out to work, long distances are involved.
In the early days, if he was performing in the UK, he would drive to the concert, give his performance, socialise with the organisers and guests, then drive home again, no matter how far, or how late he would arrive back.
But this is hugely impractical, exhausting, and a pace of life that can't be continued.
Now we have a 3 hour rule.
Any venue, more than 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive away, he stays over night, and returns refreshed the next day.

But frequently musicians don't only play in their home country, but, anywhere around the world.
Most people think it's a fantastic and glamorous way of life and in some ways it is.
However, if it's a two week tour somewhere, the musicians generally only see airports, hotels and venues, as they constantly move from city to city.
If they are lucky, they may get a day off at some point, and will then make the most of it.

I know how hard it is as I often travelled with the Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo.
Yes you get a feel for the country you are in, and hosts are very kind, usually entertain you, and show you a few historical sites. But on the whole, the same applies, airport, hotel, venue, hotel, airport.
I was lucky, as I would usually get an hour or so to look around, before the concert, whilst the duo prepared.
By morning, you pack up and move on.

Sometimes they would have midday concerts, or masterclasses, and then travel onto the next town in time for an evening recital.
So it is hard work.

But the travelling Robin is doing at the moment is different again.
He still has the long haul flights, but as he often performs on various incredible cruise ships, he gets to unpack, and his room becomes home, for the main part of the trip.
Depending on how his concerts fall within the trip, he will get to see more of the countries he visits.
But if they dock at a beautiful island somewhere and his concert is the next day, he really will only allow himself a short visit, as for him, the priority is, and always will be, giving the best performance he can.
But, as on this current trip, sometimes he's lucky.
He has performed his last concert and still has a few countries to visit, so will go ashore and make the most of it.

It's hard though. Can you imaging seeing some incredible place, but the very people you would love to share the experience with, are not there.
One memorable trip to Venice resulted in a huge 'phone bill as Robin took in all the beautiful buildings and relayed the scenes to me on the other end of the 'phone.

As the wife of a musician you have to accept that they will be away from home, and sometimes for quite long periods.
So often you hear of musicians relationships failing because of these separations.
But I knew about Robin's travelling when we married, and have accepted it as part of our way of life.
Luckily, I have always been the sort of person that has plenty of things to do, and keep myself very busy. In fact, when Robin is away my work load obviously increases, so I often find I have too little time to achieve all I need!

That doesn't mean it's easy, you just learn how to cope with it.
It is hard at times and particularly for the children.
They miss him very much, but are also accepting of the situation and, for them, it's normal.
We have all learnt to make the most of the times when Robin is home, and in some ways, are all happier for it.
Musicians have to play, not just to earn a living, but also because it is a basic need.
Without his music he wouldn't be the man I married, simple as that.