PrettyInScarlett

Hafdis Huld General Sherman The culmination of a very busy week at the end of October (although I am so rarely not busy...) saw M and I back at the Old Cinema Launderette to see Icelandic singer Hafdis Huld . Partly booked because we couldn't get to see the ever amazing Ólöf Arnalds during her short October tour; and partly out of sheer curiosity. Even more so when I discovered the show was sold out! The evening started with an interesting set from Middlesbrough band General Sherman . Their first few songs reminded me a little of another Icelandic band, Amiina; lo-fi mellow meanderings. A few songs felt a little too ponderous, but overall positive. Carrying a tour wound (a broken finger) and accompanied by partner Alisdair, Hafdis sat on one of the washing machines and instantly wove a spell. She held the audience for the full length of her set with her witty manner - jokes, song introductions and more -  as well as her songs. The aforesaid busy schedule precluded a...

Having missed last season's concerts, I was determined to start well with the current selection of performances through Darlington Piano Society . A bright, sunny October afternoon on 12th found M and I in the Dolphin Centre for an afternoon of music by Maria Marchant . Definitely a name to watch, Maria opened the 2014 season with a very thoughtful programme 'Conflicts and Memories - The First World War' featuring a selection of works composed around the war years from French, Russian and British composers - Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev and John Ireland. Maria chose to introduce each set of pieces before playing. The concert was organised at the beginning with Debussy's Berceuse héroïque and Élégie , followed by Rachmaninov's Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 - Nos 8 and 5. Whilst these works were well performed, especially No. 8 of Rachmaninov's set, I felt Maria lacked a certain degree of stage presence. This was much improved, however, throughout the f...

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...

After last year's success, I was really excited about this year's The Piano Cloud meetup event at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Even more so once the room booking was confirmed - 2 Steinway Model D pianos!!!  Present for the afternoon were Andrew ( Keyquest Music ), Terry ( Purple Rhapsody ), Luke ( Freemondo ), Jacob Uhlig , Chris, and myself. Amongst a lot of chat and eating of Krispy Kremes, we enjoyed a super afternoon of music. Terry and Andrew both played pre-written pieces: Terry played a few songs from his new album Momentary Muse , including the fabulous Legions of Poppies, as well as treating us to a rare live improvisation:   Andrew treated us to 'Prelude to a Better Year', and the pair treated the rest of us to a really fun sight-read of Kevin Olson's ' Hoedown at Cripple Creek '. Andrew's good friend Chris also pleased with a few improvisations. Luke once again showed his breathtaking improvisational...

I have received information of the new Belmont Piano Recital series which is held at Belmont Parish Hall, near Durham. Recitals are Thursdays at 2.30pm as detailed below: Also coming up this week on 4th September, BBC Antiques Roadshow are holding a valuation event at Durham Cathedral from 9.30-4.30pm. Admission is free. More information is available on their website . 

Something of a pre-birthday treat, M and I were eagerly anticipating this Launderette concert featuring folk legend Martin Carthy with local support from Paul Liddell . Whilst still relative newcomers to the comings and goings of the UK folk scene, we were aware of Martin's history and status... quite excited come doors time! A sold-out Launderette (which is around 30 people) was very appreciative of support artist Paul Liddell, who was a little nervous at playing totally unplugged in contrast to his professed use of live sampling in more 'regular' events. Nonetheless, a high quality and very entertaining set, featuring songs such as 'The Ends Of The Earth' and even an audience sing-along!  Martin's set (or really, 2 sets with an interval - something like 2 hours of music) was an education as well as an experience. He introduced/contextualised each song with stories of where it came from/ musicians he'd heard playing it/ relating to current soc...

Something of a last minute plan but M and I had high hopes of the 18th July Fractal Sparks event based on information from the people at Brass: Durham International Festival . The show was billed as a multimedia spectacular featuring Jo Hamilton , Lanterns on the Lake , Durham County Youth Big Band (DCBB) and The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals .  Arriving early at Durham Cathedral, the venue filled up in a relaxed manner, and was completely full by showtime. The event was effectively 2 concerts and the first concert featured Newcastle band Lanterns on the Lake with DCBB. This 45 minute-odd set was a very relaxed affair. We hadn't heard any Lanterns music before, but they have a keys/guitar/violin/drums setup mixing low-fi indie and post-rock sounds. The band seemed a little nervous (slightly limited stage talk) but we enjoyed the set. The songs which worked best with DCBB (and at least 1 song had been written especially for this concert) were 'To My Soul', 'Cr...