Bar Harbor, Maine and David Juritz on a Unicycle...

The QE2 is about to dock at Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, but I haven't heard anything from Robin as yet, so I assume he is still sleeping.
I'm pretty sure he will be going ashore, to have a look around, as it is another 'first' for him.

Whilst waiting for news from abroad, I decided to check in on David Juritz's epic journey, as he busks his way around the world.
Since I last looked, he has been touring extensively around Africa, Australia, briefly back in the UK, and is currently in the USA/Canada.
Robin and David will miss each other by 10 days, in Boston, but I did notice that they will both be in New York at the same time later on in October.
Who knows, maybe they will bump into each other, and form a busking duo!
For more details about David's trip, and the charity, Musequality, visit his site, 'Round the World and Bach'.

At some point David did find time to make this very funny film, which highlights just how mad musicians can be!
I do hope his violin was insured, but even so, it's a very brave thing to do.
I can't see Robin attempting this with his Miguel Rodriquez guitar, but, you never know...

Robin's son, 'Caruso' and Sir Thomas Beecham

Wow.
What can I say, other than there has been huge global interest in the, 'Robin Hill with Russell Watson' video, both here, and over on YouTube.

When this performance was first shown back in 2001, son number one, was only 3 years old. As you can imagine, we all settled down to watch, only to have the entire performance drowned out, by an over-excited child becoming hysterical...he was very embarrassed when I reminded him of this yesterday!

However, judging by the responses I've been getting, you all seem to be enjoying it. I certainly haven't been able to get it out of my mind since posting the video yesterday.
But, as the English conductor, Thomas Beecham, once said:

"Good music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and quits the memory with difficulty."

Thomas Beecham was another local chap, coming from St.Helens, Lancashire. So with Russell Watson from Salford and Robin from Huddersfield, the north of England is certainly doing its bit to promote music.

For any newcomers to the site, of which there are many from around the world, you may like to check out David Juritz's, 'Round the World and Bach', as he could be visiting a country near you soon.
He's in Lisbon today and returns briefly to the UK for a concert in Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday, before setting off for Africa shortly.
Judging by the photographs on his site, he is still smiling, but, I'm sure by now he is beginning to feel a little tired, so if he's playing near you, go along and show some support.

Back here, well, we have plenty more for you to see coming up, so do keep checking in.

Sound Checks Complete and Wives of Musicians Unite...

My ears and head are aching.
For weeks now we have been testing microphones and trying out various settings.
In just the last 3 or 4 days, I have listened to 109 takes of, 'Un Dia de Noviembre' by Leo Brouwer.
It isn't the playing that I am expected to comment on, but the sound, timbre, balance, etc.
I have added sound engineer to my list of jobs....
Finally, we have settled on a microphone, and now we can focus back on the music.
It was with great joy that I listened to take 109, and enjoyed the piece and the playing, rather than scrutinising the sound.

Hopefully recording will commence next week....

As you know, I have been following the progress of David Juritz in his project, 'Around the World and Bach', as I feel it is not only an interesting concept, but also supporting a worthwhile cause.
David has added a 'round up' of the first week over on his site, which, is a good way to gain insight into what he is doing.
I was particularly pleased to see that he acknowledged the strain that this project puts on his wife Jane.
It's difficult enough when tours are organised down to the last detail, but when you are literally playing to pay your way, there is obviously more at stake.
There's no doubt that it is hard for the performer to be away from home.
Robin always finds this difficult, particularly when travelling alone, although he does of course have his guitar!
But, it is also hard for those left behind.
As David has said, 'Jane is sounding tired and trying not to show her anxiety, alongside the increased workload of updating websites and dealing with 'phone calls'.

In case Jane, or David for that matter, read this, remember, it will all be worth it.
I have blogged before on the situation that 'wives of musicians' find themselves in.
It's pretty well summed up on a post, 'Traits of a Guitar Widow', over on 'Guitarist Widow' site.
The instrument doesn't really matter, if you are married to a musician, then you'll understand.
So as Jane, fends off calls, deals with websites, looks after children, runs the home, and if it's anything like our house, receives many calls from various parts of the world - day and night - just to make contact, then remember, you are not alone....

'Top 10 Sources - Classical Guitar'

Update: 2010

Sadly all the 'Top 10 Sources' links have been taken over.
I have removed the link from my links section and can only apologise for any inconvenience.
However, I decided to leave the original post in place, and here it is:

If you recall, a few days ago, I was able to announce that 'Life of a musician' had been included in the 'Top 10 Sources - Guitar' section.
This, we were delighted about.
Things have moved on since then.
The very nice people over at 'Top 10 Sources', contacted me again to suggest having a purely classical guitar section.
This, we thought to be an excellent idea, as we were being swallowed up by all the other genres of guitar playing.
So, yesterday, I was delighted to find, that true to their word, 'Top Ten Sources', now has a classical guitar section.

I have added a direct link in my links section, and, for those of you interested in classical guitar, it will be worth watching as the site develops.
There's already some posts about an interesting site, 'Classical Guitar Video Archive', so if you are trying to find some old footage, it may be a good place to look.
I'll update you all from time to time as to how it's going.

Meanwhile, David Juritz was in Vienna yesterday, and again today, before setting off for Venice. I must say I'm rather envious. If you are going to go busking, what better place to be than Venice....

Robin Hill is Home - and a New Merchandising Idea?

Robin is home and hasn't yet succumbed to jet lag. Quite the opposite in fact. He has already taken son number two for a game of football and is now out on a country walk. I suspect the joy of feeling ground beneath his feet is overriding the need to sleep - for the moment. (I'm quite shocked he hasn't, as yet, played his guitar).

I was asked the other day how large the theatre on board the QM2 is, and, was unable to say. So, I looked on the Cunard website, and the Royal Court Theatre is multi-tiered and seats 1,105 guests.
It's amazing that a venue that size is floating about at sea.
It did however get me thinking.
Robin manged to fill the venue for both his concerts. That's over 2000 people watching him perform in one week. Admittedly, some will have been to both concerts, as the programmes were completely different.

So to merchandising.

I read an article in 'The Wall Street Journal', 'The New Record Labels', by Ethan Smith.
Basically, there's a clothing label, 'Lyric Jeans' that specialise in jeans with lyrics to famous songs written down the legs. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" for example.

We could branch out, and form, 'Dots on Denim', swirling round your legs could be the score for 'Tre Esercizi', or 'Canzone', both Robin Hill originals. You'd have to have very long legs though, there are a lot of notes involved in both these pieces.
2000 people in a week, all need to wear clothes, and would like a memento of the occasion....you do the maths, or math, for my US readers.

Also,
David Juritz has posted some photos of him playing in London on the day of departure. We know he was in Paris yesterday, and today, he's in Zurich. So he must have made enough to get himself that far...

Second Concert Success for Robin Hill

This is Robin, ready with his guitar, about to leave his room and go on stage for the second, and last, concert of this trip on the QM2.



This is Robin just after the performance:



There appears to be a certain amount of relief, and release of tension, in this image.
I can now report that the second concert was as successful as the first. The theatre was full, balconies included, and once again, he received a standing ovation.

Robin was particularly pleased, as he had decided to play two pieces for the first time in concert, which is always a nerve wracking experience. Not only that, but he told the audience during the introductions, which must have cranked up the tension even further.
You can just imagine them waiting for a mistake.
However, there weren't any, the audience loved the pieces, and, in fact, he was told later by one couple, that they were privileged to hear him play.
That's very nice.
The two new pieces were, 'Tango en skai' by Roland Dyens, and 'Un Dia de Noviembre' by Brouwer.

Later that evening, Robin had been invited out to dinner, and by huge coincidence, found himself sitting next to a gentlemen that went to the same school, was one year above Robin, but they had many mutual friends, and knew all the same teachers.
It really is a small world after all.

One thing Robin has enjoyed on this trip, is what he calls, 'sleep utopia'.
You gain one extra hour in bed every day that you are on board.
What he fails to have remembered, is that he's going to lose all those hours, in one huge serotonin rush, tonight, when he flies home.
That, coupled with two small children very keen to see him, and waking early due to the light mornings, could all feel a very long way off soon.

Meanwhile, David Juritz has arrived in France and has a pretty hectic busking schedule around Paris. If you go to 'Round the World and Bach' you will see his itinerary for the day, and also a link to his blog.

From the Changing Face of Music Festivals to Strawberries and Champagne on the QM2

The times, they are a changing, that's for sure.
Yesterday, in 'The Daily Telegraph', I read an article by Nigel Reynolds, 'Glastonbury luxury for discerning free spirits'. An area that overlooks the festival, and nicknamed, 'The Ritz', provides 75 luxury tents where the occupants can be pampered in style, whilst still enjoying the music.
Hot showers, massages, foie gras and Glastonbury beef fillets, are just some of the items available.
Although expensive, most of the tents have already been allocated to people from all around the world.

The music festival culture appears to be changing.

Then, today, in another report by Nigel Reynolds, along with Helen Brown, 'Rough it at the festival? That's so last century', we hear that many of the festival goers are returning to the Isle of Wight, older, hopefully wiser, and taking their children with them.

I shouldn't be surprised.

Back in the 7o's Robin was just as likely to be found behind his Fender Stratocaster, jamming with Deep Purple or Jethro Tull, as he is to be seen with his Miguel Rodriguez guitar today.
Just to highlight the point, my last message from Robin told me that he had spent the afternoon on board the QM2, with a linguist from New York.
This very nice gentleman, had answered Robin's call, during his last concert. He offered his services to inform Robin of the correct pronunciation, for various Portuguese words, that Robin uses during his introductions.
They had a very pleasant time, drinking champagne and eating strawberries, whilst recording the words into Robin's apple....

Meanwhile, in the UK, for the moment, we wish David Juritz the very best of luck as he sets off busking, 'Round the World and Bach'. He leaves today from Turnham Green tube station.

From the QM2 to 'Around the World and Bach'

We were up at 5.30 this morning, and I must say, it was delightful. The sun was shining and the birds singing. The taxi driver must have thought I was some sort of mad woman, as I babbled on about the glorious day, whilst we waited for Robin to say goodbye to dogs and children, in no particular order.
The novelty had worn off by about 8.30, when I was sure it must be nearly lunchtime.

Robin only had a short flight down to Gatwick, and son number two had kindly lent him his favourite book, 'The Gruffalo', to read whilst away.
The last time I saw it, it was sandwiched between, 'El Noi de la Mare', arranged by Llobet, and 'Un Dia de Noviembre', Leo Brouwer.

He has now arrived in Southampton and has settled into his room on board the QM2. Robin will be performing two guitar concerts, Thursday and Saturday, so he has time to relax, (I don't think so), prepare, (more likely).

David Juritz, the violinist and leader of the London Mozart Players, is about to undertake an interesting project.
He's busking his way around the world, to find out more, and to follow his progress, visit, 'Round the World and Bach'. He's due to leave on the 9th of June, so log in and see what it's all about. It's worth looking at his own web page just to hear some incredible playing!