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Returned yesterday from a fabulous couple of days work recording for Linn Records a programme centred around “Mr. Charles the Hungarian, the famous French Horn” with Irish Baroque Orchestra directed by Peter Whelan.
It was a nice opportunity for me to use my Hofmaster copy made by Richard Seraphinoff (based on the originals at St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum that I was hugely grateful to get to play last week). Huge thanks to Julia MacDonell for her super generous loan of a second such instrument to enable my colleague, Patrick Broderick, and myself have a matched pair.
It was a particular treat to have one of Walsh’s “Six Celebrated Songs made on purpose for French Horns, Perform'd in the several Operas Compos'd by Mr Handel” included in this project. Huge thanks to Miriam Kaczor for admirably stepping into the role of Giulio Cesare and Peter Whelan for encouraging some pretty extensive ornamentation!
I always love spending some time in Edinburgh. Just heading back to London having had the great privilege of working with these wonderful mid 18th century Hofmaster horns which are housed at St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum.
My colleague Patrick Broderick and myself filmed a selection of the horn duos written by Mr Charles "the Hungarian" for the collection. Mr Charles is a fascinating character, a virtuoso performer on both the horn and the clarinet, he appears to have arrived in London by the 1730s and proceeds to pop up all over the UK and Ireland as a central figure in some really quite spectacular concert programmes.
A number of works either by Mr Charles or associated with him have survived in the sheet music and manuscripts of the Shaw Hellier collection (housed in the special collection of University of Birmingham) and these two Hofmaster instruments are part of the same collection. Sir Samuel Hellier comes across as quite a remarkable person - an avid collector of music and musical instruments during the mid 18th century - and it's wonderful to see how his collection still proves to be a powerful source for musicians today.
This trip was particularly timely and useful for us as next week we'll be working with Irish Baroque Orchestra recording what promises to be an appropriately exciting and somewhat eccentric disc exploring Mr Charles and his world. VERY many thanks to all in Edinburgh who generously facilitated our visit.
Giulia Nuti Harpsichord 🇮🇹 will play a 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 at 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲̂𝘁𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 organised by Institut Français d'Ecosse on 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟵:𝟬𝟬 at St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum 🎶.
Click below for more info! ⬇️
Dad - As a musical tribute in support of the people of Ukraine, we will have the honour and privilege to play Torbjörn Hultmark's 'Fanfare for Ukraine', prior to presenting the world premiere of Opsnizing Dad on 9 March 2022 at 1.10pm (UK time).
The piece, Фанфари для України (Fanfare for Ukraine), was composed on 1 March 2022 and has been scored for brass quintet. It has a sub-text on the score pages "Lead us, heavenly Father", and a poignant dedication for "All supporters of Ukraine".
Please join us for this moment of postive thought and solidarity through our live-stream link at:
https://youtu.be/gVy4y6E3KOs
Historic Brass Society
St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum
University of St Andrews Music Centre
4barsrest
Brass Band World Magazine
Scottish Brass Band Association
Philharmonia Orchestra
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Royal Opera House
Royal College of Music
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Torbjörn Hultmark
A group of F8 children visited the historical instruments collection at St Cecilia’s Hall as part of their all-round preparation for upcoming music scholarship interviews. We were treated to a bespoke guided tour with Dr Sarah Deters, Learning and Engagement Curator or the collection, and were able to see early examples of the instruments the children are learning and discover how they developed over time. The children also had the opportunity to try some of the modern replica instruments, including a natural trumpet, a harpsichord and a very early piano of the sort that was developed during Mozart’s lifetime. It was such a joy to see how engaged the children were and the time just flew by!
St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum
Works of faith,hope and love,www.faopal.hu
(or 4:42 to be precise) - Unmute, relax and enjoy this video delight ... the beautiful backdrop of 'Reel' from 'The Flow Country' by James Ross is reason enough, but we also thought you'd like to see:
What we've done in 2021.
What we'll do in 2022.
(More on our 2022 hopes and dreams at:
https://saintsfunder.st-andrews.ac.uk/p/OperaLab/)
Please feel free to share - we all need a bit of reflection time ... and this one comes with such stunning music!
We offer you all our wishes and hopes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
4barsrest Brass Band World Magazine All4Brass
British Bandsman Classic FM BBC Radio Scotland BBC Radio 3 The Galpin Society Historic Brass Society Nineteenth Circle RIAMDublin University of St Andrews Music Centre St Andrews Music Participation St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum Scottish Brass Band Association Manuel Hilleke - Contemporary Brass Music
Huge congratulations to our student John Williamson (pictured, left) on his Diploma in Cultural Venue Operations (SQA 6) – achieved entirely online, during a pandemic, no less! Thanks to St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum for their support, guidance, and lovely personal touch on the day 🎉.
