Hazelwood blows his own trumpet

[Mr Pee]

I wonder what we all make of this latest bit of puffery from Charles Hazelwood, particularly any contributors who live in the West Country?:-

http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2875:charles-hazlewood-on-music-in-bristol&Itemid=29

Apart from pretty comprehensively slagging off the classical music scene anywhere West of Bournemouth, as well as Bristol City Council, CH seems to be doing a pretty good job of self-promotion here, as well as his usual routine of condemning modern orchestral concerts as dull and boring.

Do we really need cloud projections to liven up a concert at St.George's in Bristol? And what about the idea of contemporary music played on "authentic" instruments? Being neither a fan of contemporary music, or the whole HIP movement, I have to say that to me this sounds like a marriage made in hell!

[Nick Armstrong]

My first reaction was certainly a mixture of and

The phrase "my amazing period-instrument orchestra" instantly got my back up... The "me, me" "my, my" tone continues... and then the "after all, clouds are a perfect example of abstraction and refraction" almost made my lunchtime egg mayonnaise bap bounce back...

Presumably the whole point of the blog entry is self-promotion ("self" as rescuer of Bristol from the musical wasteland), but I agree, it's not subtle, is it?

[Pianorak]

http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2875:charles-hazlewood-on-music-in-bristol&Itemid=29

<<. . . people would go to a gig and they’d drink and chat to their mates – they might even play cards – and if the music was any good, they’d sit up and listen. . . >>

<< . . . People could engage with the music without worrying about whether or not they were clapping in the right place or wearing the right clothes. >>

Engage with the music while drinking, chatting to their mates and playing cards. Right? Right!

[subcontrabass]

Since when did three concerts in a year constitute a "residency"?

He describes St George's as "a traditional concert hall". No, it is converted from a church.

If you look at the programmes for all the venues in central Bristol there is much more going on than he seems to be aware of.

[french frank]

Well, living in Bristol as I do : very much the kind of thing which gets people's backs up where Mr H is concerned (not that I think he would care if it only comes from the music lovers he obviously disdains ), not least because it is self-important and, in parts, silly. I had an email from St Geo's three days ago about Mr H's first gig. So, yes, this article to coincide with the first concert - Friday, 21st January, 7.30pm, so the email tells me.

Wouldn't want to defend the city council for their promotion of classical music since (annoyingly ) it's only given the same profile as all the other genres , but really the exciting chance which it had for a new large music venue a few years back had the financial rug pulled away after millions had been spent on a feasibility study, and a central site designated, by higher powers than the (then Labour) council. But I suspect that Mr Hazlewood has little idea what's on offer in Bristol, particularly at the Colston Hall, or what the plans are which are currently on hold.

Birmingham got its lovely Symphony Hall years ago, but perhaps it would not be indelicate to point out that there was a dynamic and hugely talented young conductor there, dedicated to making things happen...

[3rd Viennese School]

I don’t see any problems with this article. And I think bringing Schnittke to Bristol is a good thing!

3VS



“We are all but cows looking over a gate for half an hour”

[Parry1912]

It's that whole 'MY orchestra' thing that always gets on my nerves.

[Bryn]

But Army of Generals is his orchestra, not in the slave-owner sense, of course, but by virtue of the fact that he founded it for the purpose of recording the performances which were used in the BBC "The Genius of Mozart" films in 2003, the second of which is due to be rebroadcast this very evening.

[johnb]

Seems a typical Hazlewood piece of self promotion.

One thing I do agree with is that Bristol Council is utterly mediocre and incompetent - and it always has been. Bristol is still a pleasant city to live in spite of their best efforts at ruining it.

Yes St George's is a Georgian church that was converted into a 560 seat (shoe-box) chamber concert hall many decades ago - but it has one of the most beautiful atmospheres of any concert hall I have been in.

[Chris Newman]

Oh dear! I am sure that Tommy Beecham would have referred to half the London orchestras as "My orchestra" as he founded them. I think most chief conductors (not to mention orchestral players) will say such things even though they never started the ensemble in they are talking about.

[Paul Sherratt]

I'm mildly discomforted by presenters who say " my programme "
When it's " ours " ( imo )

[Uncle Monty]

Oh dear! I am sure that Tommy Beecham would have referred to half the London orchestras as "My orchestra" as he founded them. I think most chief conductors (not to mention orchestral players) will say such things even though they never started the ensemble in they are talking about.

I think it's safe to say Hazlewood is no Tommy Beecham

Some of the comments after the article bear repeating:

"What's the Arts Desk doing giving coverage to such a terrible self-publicist? 'Amazing...high-octane...crack squad': and that's only the first paragraph. Not for you to say, Mr. Hazlewood.

Standards are slipping. Who next? Vettriano on art? Jeffrey Archer on literature?"

and

"So Colston was a slaver. What do you want Bristol to do? Knock it down? Increase taxes to build a replacement hall? What a waste of taxpayers money that would be!"

CH does seem to lead a charmed life, doesn't he? Who are his friends in high places? Without such, his constant appearances are not easily explicable

[french frank]

Oh dear! I am sure that Tommy Beecham would have referred to half the London orchestras as "My orchestra" as he founded them.

But Army of Generals seems to have been more of an ad hoc orchestra. I assumed (from the description) that the players had 'permanent' (i.e. but not exclusive) positions with other orchestras or ensembles but were assembled as and when Mr Hazlewood needed them personally. The St Georges's residency is three concerts at four or five month intervals.

[Bryn]

frenchie, any chance of you attending the first of the concerts, and reviewing it here. Perhaps Charlie would even grant you a comp. ;)

[Simon]

Like so many similar articles, IMO there's a mixture of good points and bad points in it.

But I agree that the general tone might appeal more if it were pitched at a less egotistic level.

I don't know enough about Bristol to comment on the arts scene: however, I do know that there were a few rather dangerous ghettos there in the late 1990s. I hope they've gone.