Scratch Orchestra at 50

[Serial_Apologist]

Getting back on topic, I have now had confirmation that Goldsmith Press intend to publish a reprint of "Scratch Music" (edited by Cornelius Cardew) next May (which will see the 51st Anniversary of "A Scratch Orchestra: Draft Constitution" in the 'June' 1969 edition of Musical Times*). This will be a limited edition of 400 copies, in paperback format. The same publisher also released David Toop's "Inflamed Invisible" yesterday.

* this can be found reproduced on pages 20 and 21 of "25 Years from Scratch"

Thanks - might get that. Amused btw to read of codes scannable by smartphone for listening purposes in the page margins while reading in Toop's book... Seems to rather undermine the whole "deep listening" principle I'd always assocated him with.

(Unless the book contains recommendations to put it down for subsequent resumption while actually listening to the clips, that is).

[Bryn]

Thanks - might get that. Amused btw to read of codes scannable by smartphone for listening purposes in the page margins while reading in Toop's book... Seems to rather undermine the whole "deep listening" principle I'd always associated him with.

I'll let you know what I think (if I can work out how to read the QR codes). I understand a copy is wending its way to my doormat.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'll let you know what I think (if I can work out how to read the QR codes). I understand a copy is wending its way to my doormat.

[Bryn]

It appears that Carole Finer (Resonance FM's Sound Out presenter) has arranged for a recording of the November 1st Scratch Orchestra 50th Anniversary concert (Emma Cons Hall, Morley College) to be carried by Resonance FM some time over the Saturnalian festivities. I have no specific date or time for the broadcast but this afternoon I finished editing the stereo mix from the Røde NT-SF1 mic placed in the centre of the performance space. It goes on for around 2 hours and 12 minutes, the last hour of which includes a pre-planned simultaneous performance from Aukland, NZ by Phil Dadson (From Scratch) and friends. After the broadcast, it will transfer to Mixcloud, though how much of the 96/24 mix from ambisonic will survive the reduction to mp3 is questionable.

[Once Was 4]

A new F***book 'page' has been launched with information regarding this year's 50th anniversary of the founding of the Scratch Orchestra:

https://www.facebook.com/ScratchOrchestraat50/

It has led me to finally sign up to the damned thing (FB, that is).

Well I cannot help but think of a highly regarded freelance chamber orchestra which thought that it would be an Elgarian jape to accept the job of providing musicians for the pit orchestra of an amateur theatre (a pantomime I think) production - but with everybody playing 'second study' instruments. It backfired: they were all sacked after the band call and lost out both in financial and reputational terms.

Perhaps the Scratch Orchestra should be consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs.

As to Facebook I too find it useful for the various special interest groups. But I have been appalled by the number of people, in particular those whom I know to be personally honest, polite, friendly and rational, who have used it to hurl abuse at people with different political views recently - and it's gone left to right and right to left with the left paying particular attention to centrists like me. Why? What has happened to the debates and discussions of old where we put the world to rights, argued, yes got annoyed with each other, but usually settle things with a pint or two?

[MrGongGong]

Perhaps the Scratch Orchestra should be consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs.

Might I politely suggest that this is b*llocks .... the Scratch Orchestra was/is a marvellous thing
If you don't like social media don't engage with it, it's not compulsory

[Once Was 4]

Might I politely suggest that this is b*llocks .... the Scratch Orchestra was/is a marvellous thing
If you don't like social media don't engage with it, it's not compulsory

If you say so; after all, who am I?

[MrGongGong]

If you say so; after all, who am I?

I don't know ?
But what's wrong with the Scratch Orchestra ?

[Bryn]

I don't know ?
But what's wrong with the Scratch Orchestra ?

50 years on, it refuses to die, though it does smell a bit. Re the forthcoming Resonance FM broadcast, it's a pity it has to be only of an audio recording. There was a strong visual component to the event.

[Bryn]

It appears that Carole Finer (Resonance FM's Sound Out presenter) has arranged for a recording of the November 1st Scratch Orchestra 50th Anniversary concert (Emma Cons Hall, Morley College) to be carried by Resonance FM some time over the Saturnalian festivities. I have no specific date or time for the broadcast but this afternoon I finished editing the stereo mix from the Røde NT-SF1 mic placed in the centre of the performance space. It goes on for around 2 hours and 12 minutes, the last hour of which includes a pre-planned simultaneous performance from Aukland, NZ by Phil Dadson (From Scratch) and friends. After the broadcast, it will transfer to Mixcloud, though how much of the 96/24 mix from ambisonic will survive the reduction to mp3 is questionable.

The scheduling of the broadcast has now been confirmed as Saturday 4 January 2020 at 2 pm until 4.15 pm with a brief introduction by Ms. Finer. It is not, however, yet listed on the Resonance FM schedule for that day. There is nothing shown as being broadcast between 2 pm and 4.15 pm.