WOW!! UNBELIEVABLE! JUST A-MA-ZING!!

We go back in time to revisit the ENO production of Rossini’s fun Opera “The Barber of Seville” at the London Coliseum, in classical costume, set in 18th century Seville. As fun evenings go – this was just outstanding. I am lost for words.

It is true. Both at the end of the Act 1 – and then again at the Finale, after some 10 minutes of continuous and persistent applause for just a standout performance – I looked at the young lady sitting next to me, and who I had never met before in my life – and opened my mouth to say something – and no words came out. And we looked at each other. There are times in your life when you know you have experienced something magical – and no words need to be said.

This was an evening of sending a message. The entire orchestra – I was seated just a few rows back from the orchestra pit – were dressed in yellow T Shirts, with the hashtag We are ENO! Sure, this is comedy – but we are serious about it!

Roderick Cox, the conductor, strides on, a quick glance around – a moment of hesitation – and before you know it, the orchestra is away and running. It is precise, very sharp. And yet not quite.

For once, the ENO orchestra is not the glue that holds everything together. It will take a few more minutes before Charles Rice as Figaro himself, bounds onto the stage, clipping hair as he goes, waving his scissors.

And then everything is clear. This performance and production is about the singers. It does not take too long before Anna Devin as Rosina, and Simon Bailey as Dr Bartolo, enter the stage, and suddenly, we are into a continuous, never letting up stream of singing perfection, incredible close harmonies, subtle moments of humour almost in every phrase, and very clever direction – it just takes your breath away.

This is a Whitehall farce from just down the road, but set to music. True, there are moments of spoken word – to deliver a joke, a subtle remark. And then we are off again, into yet another beautiful aria and slapstick comedy. Every possible avenue for squeezing out some additional humour – but set in a classical operatic style.

I think it is this incongruity that is the secret sauce of this performance. Anna Devin in Act 1 particularly has astonishing technical ability in some of Opera’s most difficult arias, as her colleagues are running around and falling over.

Innocent Masuku, returning to ENO as Count Almaviva, excels in Act 2, extremely funny and completely over the top in mannerisms, – we sit in wonderment as to how on earth will he get the girl?

True, this is not a Mozart performance, the melodies are just not there. But that is not the point or the intention .

This is ENO saying – we know how to do mainstream Opera, and – as I look over my shoulder at the end of the performance and see the rows of people standing, shouting, smiling – it is clear they are not wrong.

“The Barber of Seville” has 5 more performances at time of writing, including a late morning Matinee.

New Series of Bach Concerts

Just a few weeks ago, my double bass colleague Simon Crewe and I started again practicing our interpretations of Bach Partitas! It’s been some three years since we were able to get together because of COVID, and we just decided to look at completely new music. We got interrupted at our home at Emmanuel Church Plymouth last week, when several people from a home group just came in and started to listen. We have a little dog, Barney, who also likes to sit in and listen:)

It’s taken three sessions but Partita in B flat is coming on fine, particularly rewriting a bass line for the opening piece!

We are asking any Charities that would like a Concert between October and Christmas, to help them fund raise, to get in touch, we will be pleased to help.

Improv Tour Concert Series

What do you prefer to listen to? Serious classical music, expertly performed – or something more random? or. mix of both? “Improv Tour” is a concept that I have been working on for the past three years, increasing the amount of improvisation in the baroque music that I typically play.

The last two songs you have heard – the Sonata, and September – were both pure improvisation, in pretty much one take, starting from a simple melody, and growing it as I play. They have already become two of my most popular pieces that I perform.

in these strange times that we live in – I am putting together a series of piano Concerts, mainly for charities, anywhere where there is a piano – and the concerts are free. We are arranging live streaming. You simply make a donation using Patreon or Ko-Fi.

Do make contact if you would like a Concert for your own way of helping others.

Sketch of our Time


Sometimes at times like these, it is important to reach out, keep well, keep safe.  I just thought, while April studios is closed for a few weeks, it would be nice to create something different, easy to listen to, thought provoking. I didn’t use a metronome, I just played how it feels. Think of it as a “sketch”. before the real thing so to say – but enjoyable nonetheless. Let me know before Easter Sunday if you would like your own copy.
Here you can see the video and music on Youtube; ; https://youtu.be/883CLHQGbSU
Have a great weekend!

 

Sonata gets played on BBC Radio Devon

One of my standout recordings from April Studios – the Sonata recording – was played by Sarah Gosling on BBC just a couple of evenings ago; here is the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07frg48 .
You got to travel some 1hr 35 mins in – but well worth it, and Sarah said some lovely things. Thankyou!
 
 

Concert for Plymouth!

I discuss the background for my upcoming Concert for the Plymouth Liberal Democrats on June 22nd at Hope Baptist Church in the evening.
Its not often – that I get such a super intro;  and it has taken time to put together!  Our original concept was a soft or “Ronnie Scotts” style of evening – for those of you who know that cool venue in Frith Street – but it took ages to find a suitable venue in Plymouth with a grand piano. You can hardly rock up with a big piano under your arm, after all. But here we are –  I am still unsure of the mix of music to play, and frankly I may just go with the flow on the night.  What’s there not to love? Here is the announcement from Plymouth Liberals that they sent out to their followers just yesterday:
“We have the pleasure of inviting you to a very special event.
On Friday 22nd June renowned international pianist Richard Bloss will be performing an early evening concert of beautiful music. For the first time in Plymouth, Richard will bring his unique jazz-based style to compositions from Bach to Sia. Don’t miss this summer premiere. Find out more about Richard here: https://blossmusic.enjoyhosts.co.uk/
The event will start at 7.00pm and last for approx 1 hour. The price is £5 (see payment details below). The venue is Hope Baptist Church, Peverell Park Road, Plymouth
This is an official Plymouth Liberal Democrat fundraiser event. There will be a selection of soft drinks available on the night. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not permitted within the venue.”

Background to Sonata

“Sonata” was always conceived as a three-movement piece, in the classic way – but somehow got railroaded into being stand-alone. There just seems to be so much more to say in this one movement, and being able to link several melodies and ideas, all in the one piece, seems to work great.  But it did take some working out… I started creating Sonata on Boxing Day 2017, there were lots of ideas, but getting the structure right was a challenge.  In the end, the music created its own structure, and I think this is what gives it its beauty. I really love playing it!

JazzBach Concert at Kristianstad, Sweden, Sunday 6th May2018 5pm.

Hi! It’s always great to be invited back to do a new Concert – but none better than the fantastic cathedral-like Church in centre of Kristianstad!
I will be playing a new Concert of new jazz interpretations of J S Bach Preludes and Fugues – but also focussing on my own new music, to be recorded  this Spring at April Studios Plymouth.
Do try to get to Copenhagen on the Saturday 5th May next year, stop over and then take the Oresund train over to Malmo and on to Kristianstad. Hoping to see you!

Christmas Music for You

Here is an advance copy of my new Christmas music, taken from a super Carol that I really love but not often gets played. This is a gentle adaptation. It is ready to download, FREE, for you this Christmas.  Just go to the Music Library, and click to download!  Welcome.

Corporate Music Logos.

We have a selection of NEW Corporate music logos for you to listen to. They are  simple but effective – just long enough to get attention, but subtle enough not to intrude.

Welcome to Music Logos!