tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35307274276577981972011-10-06T11:17:59.976+01:00Music. All types of music. Anything I get to see or hear and want to share my thoughts about.Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.comBlogger231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-451123492420646712011-10-05T20:49:00.004+01:002011-10-06T11:17:59.989+01:00

Musically, there are few things which impress more than a good performance.  To have a string break during a violin solo, restring, then continue from exactly where you left off is one of the few (Nicola Benedetti performing the debut of Taverner's Lalishri at the Southbank). Another was last Wednesday's recital by Marius Brenciu. Marius didn't seem to begin confidently, though his voice was on

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-79881585529701315932011-09-18T01:14:00.000+01:002011-09-18T01:14:25.747+01:00

Due to a slight change in travel arrangements, I will be attending the first of the new season of the Rosenblatt Recitals Series. I'll see some of you there, I'll tell the rest of you about it.

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-13057736996474531352011-09-17T20:56:00.001+01:002011-09-18T18:37:54.503+01:00

I've taken time to write these reviews of the London Klezmer Quartet and JC Ryan, not beacuase of the quality of music, more due to the experience of actually hearing the music. Beginning with the London Klezmer Quartet, they played at the Green Note in Camden,  a lovely little place, cosy, eating people mixed with music lovers, possibly the eating people loved music too, who knows? The last

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-75254785224591503952011-08-30T16:10:00.003+01:002011-08-30T23:50:39.200+01:00

Time to revisit the Rosenblatt Recitals Series for a number of reasons. First, I notice that there is now a video of Vuyani Mlinde's drinking song on the Rosenblatt video channel. Secondly, there is a new series which begins in September. And finally, I won't be in London to see it.  I'll be in Manchester, so I'll have to rely on others to let me know how the series goes. The Rosenblatt

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-79477117141825601612011-07-13T17:13:00.004+01:002011-07-14T21:06:51.328+01:00

The evening of the 12th found me in the Ballroom of the Lansdowne Club, near Berkeley Square.  Not a nightingale in sight.  The music was to be provided by the talented violinist Harriet Mackenzie, whom I'd previously seen playing with the Kosmos Ensemble as part of an evening of Klezmer music at the Southbank.  On the piano was Indre Petrauskaite. The program for the evening certainly

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-44111269061626261492011-06-29T19:56:00.002+01:002011-06-30T12:31:47.511+01:00

Tuesday evening's performance by Vuyani Mlinde was yet another example of what the Rosenblatt Recital Series does so well. They choose talented up-and-coming preformers from around the globe, match them with well-respected accompanists, provide in-depth and extensive information about the music you are about to listen to, then put it all together in a great venue. In addition, most (if not

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-12462519010534764862011-06-27T23:11:00.000+01:002011-06-27T23:11:29.686+01:00

Tomorrow I'll be going to the last Rosenblatt Recital until September, Vuyani Mlinde, at St John's, Smith Square. Here's a bit of background, a review, a short video and even an offer for tickets!  I'm hoping I get a chance to have a little chat with him after the concert, but if not, you'll find the review here. If you do go, make sure to get a program.  They're the best I've ever seen; very

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-72184626388434922102011-06-27T22:51:00.000+01:002011-06-27T22:51:18.342+01:00

Last night I attended a concert at Cadogan Hall.  A beautiful venue, always a pleasure to hear music there. Opera UK were providing an evening of entertainment presented by Natalie Wheen.  Yes, that's her, the knowledgable and conversational presenter for Classic FM.  She clearly loves opera, and made sure we were all informed as to the arias, the background of the opera, characters, the

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-73473170377221478562011-06-10T22:26:00.008+01:002011-06-11T18:56:01.204+01:00

Here is a BBC programme narrated by Villazon, explaining the history and technical aspects of the tenor in Opera.  It features a great number of fantastic singers, there's also a lot of information here about opera in general.  A great introduction to opera, some lovely arias sung by fantastic singers.  If anyone can explain opera and singing to the general public, it's Maestro Villazon. Here's

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-78374511685815721422011-06-01T19:08:00.003+01:002011-06-01T20:00:01.259+01:00

I've been listening to the new CD by Julia Lezhneva for the last couple of weeks.  When it comes to music, there are always pleasant surprises in store.  Julia is a very young soprano with the voice of someone much more experienced.  The CD itself is a collection of Rossini arias which show off her vocal range, the variety of the music demands accuracy, strength of tone and a delicate touch. She

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-77277829466889322352011-05-21T17:01:00.002+01:002011-05-21T17:33:05.780+01:00

Upstairs at Ritzy (the cinema in Brixton) was the venue for the Cigdem Aslan Trio last Wednesday.  True to form for musicians, there were four performers; Cigdem herself on vocals, Meg Hamilton (also of Kosmos and She'Koyokh) on violin, Angelos on bouzouki and Pavlos on guitar. Rebetiko is a relatively new music form, emerging in the 1960's, combining Greek folk traditions and Turkish (Ottoman)

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-60540245571336182772011-05-15T18:51:00.012+01:002011-05-17T23:25:35.693+01:00

This club, for me, is one of the genuine articles. A piece of history. Not the photos that adorn the walls, but the acts I've seen here myself. First was Siouxsie and the Banshees, supported by John Cooper Clarke. Next was Nicola Benedetti. Natalie Clien and an Azerbaijani ensemble led by Sabina Rakcheyeva was the last time I was in the 100 Club. The evening consisted of 5 acts, (a full

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-66096153829515706402011-05-11T23:00:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:28:11.894+01:00

I suppose, like most people, I took time to get into classical music in the first place. Listening to opera on the radio, or seeing it performed on TV was, well, like listening to snooker or watching cricket; always better live. I didn't realise this until I went to see Carmen (chosen because I love the music, who doesn't?) at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. After I'd seen Carmen

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-91127807328643056902011-05-10T17:57:00.002+01:002011-05-10T18:16:12.876+01:00

The listing for the evening consistes of The Electric Flowers, Rhys Williams, Empty Headz, Wolfette and Jo Ryan. Everything kicks off at 7:30, so don't arrive late or you'll miss Jo, and you'll kick yourself forever if you miss Jo at the 100 Club. You'll feel like the guy who passed on signing the Beatles. Or the lifeboat inspector on the Titanic.Check out the links above and see you on Friday.

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-8223697978156386002011-05-09T10:16:00.005+01:002011-05-21T11:25:43.048+01:00

My week of music began on Friday the 6th with an impromptu piano recital by Stefano Orioli. The venue was the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrave Square. The playing was very accomplished, as you would expect of a pianist of his experience. The recital was well balanced with works by classical composers Scarlatti and Clementi followed by romantic works by Debussy and Liszt. Sunday was a

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-20359438412016501642011-04-15T21:09:00.003+01:002011-04-15T22:07:38.494+01:00

Do you speak Italian? French? Spanish? Perhaps German? No? Then maybe Opera is not for you. Too much trouble for the english/french/italian/german/spanish audience.So, english watching german opera, italian trying to understand anything but italian opera (just joking) the problem is language.Thanks to a friend of mine, I think the whole experience of Opera will become more enjoyable to me.

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-82025183966421722472011-04-14T10:46:00.011+01:002011-04-14T16:55:47.640+01:00

Last night's Rosenblatt Recital at St John's, Smith Square, was a true eye-opener.Following two opening Handel Arias, Elizabeth's voice began to warm considerably. Elizabeth conveyed Countess Rosina's wistful state in her third piece; Mozart's 'Dove sono i bei momenti', from The Marriage of Figaro. Her powerful voice clear on all registers, every syllable audible regardless of the required

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-50873810802456272092011-04-01T17:05:00.004+01:002011-04-01T18:01:27.150+01:00

Just a heads-up to anyone who enjoys vocal talent of the highest order, I'll be going to see one of the Rosenblatt Recitals on Weds. April 13th. This particular recital is provided by Elizabeth Llewellyn, accompanied by Simon Lepper. More details here.

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-67749073284873910272011-03-03T23:56:00.004Z2011-03-04T00:49:02.331Z

As I've been encouraged to continue, by a very good friend, I shall attempt to do so. My main problem is where to start.My interests are varied, so sometimes it really is difficult to pick a single subject.At the moment I'm a bit preoccupied by events in Libya, mostly because I think they'll have a lasting effect upon everyone; a model to other would-be dictators on what not to do, and an

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-39152984642575991492010-11-23T22:41:00.004Z2010-11-23T23:56:36.158Z

So, memories....The last time I went to the 100 Club on Oxford Street, London, was to introduce my violin teacher to Nicola Benedetti. Yes, she is pretty, yes, she won Young Musician of the Year. I'm not sure what my tutor expected, I've been a fan for a while, seeing her in large and small venues.Verdict was a definite positive response. In fact, the whole evening was great, Nicola played a

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-16603367954370857262010-09-28T23:28:00.002+01:002010-09-28T23:41:06.428+01:00

Tomorrow (Weds 29th, 2010) is another evening of music at The Castle. Hopefully Ville and Laura will be there, not to mention the musicians from last week. I like the fact that it's very relaxed, nobody really has to try to be the next big thing, most of the folks there play because they love the music (special mention to Des).And of course, I'll be playing with the most talented singer in

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-69940340181331277202010-09-24T23:10:00.004+01:002010-09-25T13:13:40.819+01:00

On Thursday night I attended the inaugural event, for adults, by the cactus music school, entitled Beer and Bach. It could have been a dry music lesson, possibly a Channel 4 type fluff piece or even a dull monologue as per my old school music teacher.Thankfully, I already knew all the ladies of the cactus music school, so I had high hopes of an entertaining evening, and wasn't disappointed.The

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3530727427657798197.post-4667037129642192562010-09-24T22:49:00.003+01:002010-09-25T12:58:57.229+01:00

For the last few weeks I've been playing guitar for the enormously talented Jo Ryan, at The Castle on Portobello Road in London. Lovely place, with interesting people and great musicians. Whilst there, I met Anthony Andrews, very talented and a very tall man indeed! :) Renny Field has some mad skillz, playing and songwriting, check him out next Wednestday. Oh, and we've also had El Trio the

Jacques Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16649364886651993125noreply@blogger.com0