Blogs

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The number games: chamber music vs orchestral playing
During my time at Cambridge, I was lucky enough to get many opportunities to play in both chamber music and orchestral projects. Now, on the brink of beginning a masters course devoted to orchestral playing, I’ll have a chance to
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Slava
Antonín DvořákCello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, B. 191Mstislav RostropovichMoscow Radio Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra When I was a student I would often sneak into the Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts. My father, who was a member of the cello section,
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The Italian Diva – Cecilia Bartoli
The first time I heard Cecilia Bartoli live was at the opening concert of the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2011. Appearing on stage like a queen, she dazzled the audience not only with her exquisite singing of arias from
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Orchestration – a whole world of sound
To orchestrate verb [ with obj. ] 1 arrange or score (music) for orchestral performance. 2 arrange or direct the elements of (a situation) to produce a desired effect Why do people write for orchestra? Because of the larger choice
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How my Cello found me
My Cello and Me — We Were Made for Each Other I was smitten from the first moment. Finding an instrument is like finding your soul mate — you know it instantly. I was twenty- two- years old and had
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Is it just ‘a bit of fun’?
Theme and variations for Clarinet and Piano ‘You should learn his Theme and Variations’, said my teacher. I was never a fan of variations, but Françaix’s take on the form changed my view of them quite a bit. (I also,
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Britten and Tippett – Two Kinds of Englishman
One of the most enjoyable musical experiences of my life has been performing Sir Michael Tippett’s extraordinary oratorio A Child of our Time with the chorus and orchestra of Clare College, Cambridge. Famous especially because of the series of five
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Living with Handel
Bach : Saint John PassionPart I: Chorale: Herr, unser Herrscher (Chorus) I am for the first time in my life living with Handel. I lived with Bach earlier this year, when I was involved in performances of his St John
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