Now for something unusual...

From keys to strings, this time. Purely out of curiosity (and the love of wine), M and I went along to this year's Swiss Ambassador's Award Concert at the Reardon Smith Theatre in National Museum Cardiff. According to the inclusive programme, this is the 2nd year of the Award, which is aimed at promoting Swiss culture and Swiss artists and involves, in the UK at least, 3 or 4 'tour' dates, Cardiff being the last for 2009. The winners, the Gémeaux Quartett, originated in Basel in 2003.

A lot of the concert audience were local and other dignitaries, and we assume that the other tickets (i.e. for people like us) were sold for numbers and not aimed at profit! The programme: Haydn Quartet in C major Op.50 No.2; Bolens String Quartet 2006 'Tempus Fugit' and lastly Janáček Quartet No.2 'Intimate Letters'. By far the most interesting and enjoyable piece (for us, though I'm sure some of the older audience members would disagree) was 'Tempus Fugit', which was based around 1 or 2 musical elements. It makes more sense listening than on paper -highly recommended listen! I'll certainly be finding it on Spotify. The Leoš Janáček piece was also good. The wine was too! - also included in the price was 'a glass' of Swiss Sekt (champagne), which turned out to be around 3 as the serving staff kept topping up!

A short lull in concertgoing for a holiday -we are trying out a free Radio 3 Discovering Music evening in early October, eagerly followed by Bat for Lashes at Cardiff Students Union.

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Music, Poetry and Cake (Gateshead and Lanchester)

Piano at the ready! (by M) After a good few months prep, the concert Piano Music and Poetry (organised through the Gateshead Piano Workshop folks) came around pretty quickly. As one of the participants, I was excited and also a little nervous about the prospect of a Paying Audience. The work paid off, as all the performers were excellent! Well appreciated by the compact audience. The format was in relation to National Poetry Day which was on 2nd October. Each performer chose a poem either in direct or indirect relation to their piece. A summary of the programme: Alan - Liszt Consolation No 4 and Mozart Adagio in B minor Graeme - Chopin Nocturne Op. 62 No. 2 with 'Uncertainty' by Adam Mickiewicz me - Clara Schumann, andante con sentimento with 'Clara Wieck und Beethoven' by Franz Grillparzer Jim - R Schumann Kinderszenen 1 and 7 with 'My child, we were just children' by Heinrich Heine Ernie - Debussy Clair de lune with excerpt from 'Fêtes g...

Pigeon Funk

Notes on a very random purchase. Earlier today I acquired Venetian Snares 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Sz ü letett ' purely on the basis of the language and artwork. Its certainly something different - and most definitely not pop. After a bit of searching: Venetial Snares is, according to Wikipedia, the performing name of Aaron Funk, who seems to specialise in experimental tracks in odd time signatures. Article here . The sleeve notes for this album (whose title is Hungarian for 'Born under a bad star') poses the question: what if, for just a day, we could both be pigeons? Interessant. Apparently this concept (a day in the life of a Hungarian pigeon) is non-typical of Venetian Snares sound, but one could ask, does Mr Funk do 'typical'? On first listening, the sound of this CD mixes classical/traditional Hungarian sounds and breakbeats. but aside from that? Definitely a 'listen for yourself' artist; try the website , fan site or myspace .

From Black Rose to Buena Vista

Two very different but equally impressive live experiences this last weekend. First up, our long overdue homage to the late, great Phil Lynott as Limehouse Lizzy returned to the Point on Friday 2nd March. Certainly on form (and not just lead singer Wayne Ellis, mmmm!) After a late doors, the band came on for a 2 hour set. They started off with Jailbreak (with added pyro), the rest of the main set comprising known songs like Dancing In The Moonlight, Warrior, Emerald, Johnny the Fox, Are You Ready, Killer On The Loose, Cold Sweat, Do Anything You Want To, Out In The Fields, Cowboy Song, Rosalie, The Boys Are Back In Town plus at least 1 early track. The encore included 1 verse/1 chorus from Sarah, Black Rose, Whisky In The Jar and another track. Excellent atmosphere, the place was sold out. The boys are back at the Point in December. Next on to crowd pleasers of a very different sort. M and I managed to get tickets for the sold-out Buena Vista Social Club show at Wales Millennium Centr...

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