Another blue plaque

May 19, 2022 | Features

Sir Julius Benedict (1804-1885) 2 Manchester Square, London Crossing London’s majestic Manchester Square enroute to the Wallace Collection I spotted a blue plaque on No. 2 – a rather fine late 18th century house in the south east corner where lived a composer...

An appreciation: Sir Harrison Birtwistle

Apr 29, 2022 | Features

15 July 1934 – 16 April 2022 Following his death earlier this month, much has been written about the musical achievement of Sir Harrison Birtwistle. Unpalatable to some, indispensable to others, his music has dominated the new music landscape for well over fifty...

John Joubert: First and Last Songs

Apr 23, 2022 | Features

Anna Joubert (pictured above with John) reflects on her father’s musical legacy My father John Joubert died in January 2019.  He was 91 and had lived a very full and productive life as a composer, much loved university teacher, husband and family man. Just before he...

Vaughan Williams in Manchester

Apr 15, 2022 | Features

9 April 2022Bridgewater Hall, ManchesterBBC PhilharmonicJohn Wilson conductorVaughan Williams Symphony no 7: Sinfonia AntarticaVaughan Williams Symphony no 2: A London Symphony How appropriate that in Ralph Vaughan William’s 150th anniversary year this performance of...

Concert review: William Blezard Centenary Concert

Feb 22, 2022 | Features, Reviews

12 February 2022, St Michael’s Community Centre, Barnes, London SW13 William Blezard was a pianist, composer and musical director to Joyce Grenfell and Marlene Dietrich, and was married to the pioneering female conductor and musicianship teacher Joan Kemp Potter...

Feature: William Baines and Flamborough Head

Feb 22, 2022 | Features

Flamborough Head, Yorkshire and William Baines (1899-1922) In the early hours of a sleep-deprived night during the darkest days of the Covid-19 lockdown, my thoughts had turned to Flamborough Head where my wife and I had bought a weekend retreat on the Outer Headland...