Sitting in glorious sunshine on the tractor-paradise that is Sark, having had a great day on Guernsey yesterday, and a wonderful calm crossing by boat here this morning.
Four-island tour here... each day a different island - lunchtime gig for schoolchildren, then a concert in the evening...
Lovely to meet old Guernsey friends at our old haunt St James Arts Centre - Kirstin as welcoming as always... and a great crowd enjoyed our songs; lots of cricket for them too! {Many CDs purchased!}
As you may know, no motorised vehicles allowed here on Sark (only helicopters in dire emergency) - but there are 76 tractors on the island... Chidren were very attentive and amused just now:- we are performing at the Island Hall next to the cricket ground; bodes well for cricket stuff later.
I've looked for Mr Pye, but he is neither devilishly or angelically here...
(Note to self: must look back at previous CI blog to see if repeating dullardly)
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Another International Festival
Another day, another international a cappella night... this time in Hannover as the climax of their Internationale a-cappella-woche.
We listened to the beauty of the Estonians, Heinavankar, and splendour of the Irish White Raven, and at the end of the evening, The wonderful swedes, The Real Group - especially liked their very jazzy Mozart 40 (reminding me of our yodelling version of the symphony as filmed in Salzburg, all dressed up as Mozart for S4C!)
We were there too (the "OIs" in Lambeth were loud!) - it felt exhausting for us to watch it all, but the audience were all delighted, and the packed church rang with cheers and applause.
Over the past two days and nights we have shared the stage, green rooms and restaurants with at least 10 nationalities (no I have not lost count, like all good vocal groups, not everyone in every group comes from where the act does!), and been inspired by excellent musicians, all with their unique way of putting across their vocal music.
Fantastic - we are lucky to have such a job...
We listened to the beauty of the Estonians, Heinavankar, and splendour of the Irish White Raven, and at the end of the evening, The wonderful swedes, The Real Group - especially liked their very jazzy Mozart 40 (reminding me of our yodelling version of the symphony as filmed in Salzburg, all dressed up as Mozart for S4C!)
We were there too (the "OIs" in Lambeth were loud!) - it felt exhausting for us to watch it all, but the audience were all delighted, and the packed church rang with cheers and applause.
Over the past two days and nights we have shared the stage, green rooms and restaurants with at least 10 nationalities (no I have not lost count, like all good vocal groups, not everyone in every group comes from where the act does!), and been inspired by excellent musicians, all with their unique way of putting across their vocal music.
Fantastic - we are lucky to have such a job...
Fantastic International Festival
Very splendid evening in Alba Iulia, Romania. Our friend Mihai Coser asked us to create an a cappella evening for him & it was a great success.
All the groups were wonderful; Die Medlz from Germany, Vocal Tempo from Cuba & Jukebox Trio from Russia; and we were all on stage at the end giving impromptu performances of No woman, no cry & Stand by Me.
The atmosphere in the open air was super (and hot!) - today there are performances of Hansel & Gretel and Carmina Burana... should be terrific.
We all were very pleased and everyone wants to do it again asap....
Brilliant.
We had to rise pretty early (3am UK time) to get to our next date: another a cappella night in Hannover... more news later (I have woken up now!)...
All the groups were wonderful; Die Medlz from Germany, Vocal Tempo from Cuba & Jukebox Trio from Russia; and we were all on stage at the end giving impromptu performances of No woman, no cry & Stand by Me.
The atmosphere in the open air was super (and hot!) - today there are performances of Hansel & Gretel and Carmina Burana... should be terrific.
We all were very pleased and everyone wants to do it again asap....
Brilliant.
We had to rise pretty early (3am UK time) to get to our next date: another a cappella night in Hannover... more news later (I have woken up now!)...
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Neustadt am Rübenberge
A wonderful night in Neustadt am Rübenberge, near Hanover, as part of the Internationale a-cappella-woche Hannover; a packed house with fantastic attentiveness - they all seemed to have a glorious time...
We were looked after splendidly - thank you, Sven and the team - and we will be back on Sunday for the last concert of the a cappella woche - sharing a bill with the Estonian Heinavanker, the Irish White Raven & the Swedish The Real Group.
But before then, we will pop to Alba Iulia, Romania to share a gig we were asked to plan, with the German Medlz, the Russian Jukebox Trio & the Cuban/Spanish Vocal Tempo.
Once again, we introduced Cricket Tea Towel - the Ins and Outs of Cricket (our Arvo Pärt pastiche from Songs of Cricket)... & they laughed as they should! More conversions to cricket in Germany!
Should be a great evening!
But before then, we will pop to Alba Iulia, Romania to share a gig we were asked to plan, with the German Medlz, the Russian Jukebox Trio & the Cuban/Spanish Vocal Tempo.
A very international time this weekend...
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
New England manager
Good news with Roy Hodgson now as England football manager:
Clearly being born in Croydon & educated in Shirley leaves you destined for greatness...
Clearly being born in Croydon & educated in Shirley leaves you destined for greatness...
Thursday, 26 April 2012
New Digital Release
That classic Cantabile (The London Quartet) album, Hear No Evil... is now available for digital download - at least at CDuniverse and on Amazon (com and co.uk)... hooray... itunes seem a little tardy, but we shall say as soon as it is up there... but it's somewhere in the ether already!
Lots of songs which we still sing (as they are so good!), and a few that only have occasional outings...
Go on, you know you want to!
PS: second Dutch corporate, as good as the first... similar lovely atmosphere (and food!), and a great Castle (Kasteel de Wittenburg). Lut Van der Eycken as gracious to us as yesterday.... two more in June.
Lots of songs which we still sing (as they are so good!), and a few that only have occasional outings...
Go on, you know you want to!
PS: second Dutch corporate, as good as the first... similar lovely atmosphere (and food!), and a great Castle (Kasteel de Wittenburg). Lut Van der Eycken as gracious to us as yesterday.... two more in June.
Dutch trip #1
Two pairs of concerts in the Netherlands, the second in June, started yesterday in Meppel & continue today near Leiden... more specifically: Chateauhotel en restaurant De Havixhorst & Kasteel de Wittenburg.
A (very wise) business here has four centres and they provide entertainment for each every year... and we are the chosen act this year.
Lovely audience last night and excellent food... all splendid.
We were introduced, and interviewed live by Lut Van der Eycken - a presenter on Belgian classical radio channel, Klara
Hoorah for Holland - good to be back...
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