What Are You Practising / Composing Now?

[Bryn]

In an odd aside, midway through, Clive Bell mentions you in an interview with the Bohman brothers in this month's edition of The Wire magazine, Bryn.

Would that, by chance, be in association with my role as Robert Peary?

[Bryn]

Would that, by chance, be in association with my role as Robert Peary?

I have now subscribed to the digital edition of The Wire. Yes, it was indeed in connection with my taking the role of Robert Peary in Michael Parsons's Expedition to the North Pole. Clive played the role of Dr. Frederick Cook, Peary's nemesis.

[Joseph K]

Stella by Starlight, All the Things You Are,

I've practised the latter of these the longest, and I'd consider it not as difficult as the former, but over the past few days I've found the former less difficult to create interesting music over, since I have by now familiarised myself with it to some extent … ok, perhaps not that interesting, just not as uninteresting as I find my playing at the moment on All the Things...

[cloughie]

All the Things You Are, various other standards...

What a beautiful song - great lyrics - one of the songs I have recently added to my baritenor repertoire.

[Joseph K]

What a beautiful song - great lyrics - one of the songs I have recently added to my baritenor repertoire.

It is nice. I suppose it's because much of the harmony moves in fourths and in fact the second section is a transposition down a fourth of the first section. I need to think up more interesting stuff to play over it...

[cloughie]

It is nice. I suppose it's because much of the harmony moves in fourths and in fact the second section is a transposition down a fourth of the first section. I need to think up more interesting stuff to play over it...

Singing it has some interesting key changes - not least the semi-tone rise at the end of the intro, which is fudged by many a singer.

[BBMmk2]

I’ve nearly finished the Berlioz I’ve been working on. Arrived at the last section yesterday. I aim to finish by the end of the week. I’ve been working on this since the end of April! It dies last around 23 minutes, so I’m not surprised. A big band in Ireland have asked me to arrange some Springsteen songs, which I’m looking forward to do.

[cloughie]

I’ve nearly finished the Berlioz I’ve been working on. Arrived at the last section yesterday. I aim to finish by the end of the week. I’ve been working on this since the end of April! It dies last around 23 minutes, so I’m not surprised. A big band in Ireland have asked me to arrange some Springsteen songs, which I’m looking forward to do.

The Rising would lend itself well as would Born in the USA - are you going to do single tunes or a medley?

[MrGongGong]

Flugelhorn and live electronics with the sound of the rain on the roof

[Boilk]

Flugelhorn and live electronics with the sound of the rain on the roof

A rarely-traversed combination – I know of just one precedent: Tim Souster's Transistor Radio of St. Narcissus. Something of a classic.

[BBMmk2]

Finished the Berlioz! Now onto a big band arrangement for the first time!

[Jonathan]

Great stuff BBM!

Now that I am saving myself 2 hours plus every day by not driving hundreds of miles a week to and from work (my new job is 5 miles away) I'm going to get on with some serious practice on the Alkan march, Op.37 no.1, Rachmaninoff Prelude Op.23 no.5, Liszt's Die Zelle on Nannonwerth (last version) and Chopin's Berceuse.

[Pulcinella]

Great stuff BBM!

Now that I am saving myself 2 hours plus every day by not driving hundreds of miles a week to and from work (my new job is 5 miles away) I'm going to get on with some serious practice on the Alkan march, Op.37 no.1, Rachmaninoff Prelude Op.23 no.5, Liszt's Die Zelle on Nannonwerth (last version) and Chopin's Berceuse.

Any particular reason for choosing these pieces, Jonathan?
I'm struggling trying to get my fingers back into shape with a couple of the easier JSB Two-part inventions!

Congratulations on the new job, btw!

[MrGongGong]

A rarely-traversed combination – I know of just one precedent: Tim Souster's Transistor Radio of St. Narcissus. Something of a classic.

[Jonathan]

No specific reason Pulcinella, I am going to do my diploma at some point and the Rachmaninoff is on the syllabus but the others are just because I like them! The Alkan I worked on last year before I started the job I've just left and I want to get it back to where it was - my teacher was pleased with it but it wasn't quite "finished", if you know what I mean! Thanks for the congratulations, I'm really looking forward to 10 minutes rather than an hour and a quarter to get home.