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RLPO Brass Section Concert
Today is the first of a series of ventures coming up for the brass section of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Section. Our lunchtime concert today, in collaboration with the RLPO’s Ballet Russe celebration season, we will be giving the premiere of Tim Jackson’s arrangements of suites from Stravinsky’s ‘Pulcinella’ and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker.’ The concert will be conducted by RLPO Principal Horn, Tim Jackson and the performance will be a precursor to the ensemble committing both works to CD next week.
Back row – left to right: Graham Johns, Paul Marsden, Neil Hitt, Simon Chappell, Chris Morley
Front row – left to right: Rhys Owens, Brendan Ball, Tim Nicholson, Simon Griffiths, Beth Calderbank, Robin Haggart, Jonathan Barrett and Simon Cowen
The Great Alan Stringer MBE (1928-2012)
This is the great Alan Stringer. Alan was principal trumpet of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 1953 to 1993, apart from a year (1960-61) as Principal of the London Symphony Orchestra. One of the best trumpet players in the world, Alan died on September 8th 2012. The RLPO and members of Alan’s family will be hosting a memorial celebration of Alan’s life in The Fly In The Loaf, Hardman Street, Liverpool on May 26th, 2013 from 1pm. For anyone who knew Alan well, and hasn’t been contacted, please feel free to get in touch with me.
The great Alan Stringer
Some More Thoughts on Trumpet practice - Ear Training... the brass player must sing like a canary!
It is with some trepidation that I publish this post as the subject matter is still very much a work in progress for myself and my students, but I'm now confident with the improvements and results in general that I have decided to go ahead anyway. I always asked the great John Wilbraham why he didn't write a book. He said people would only get it wrong!
Adolphe Sax
Have a click on this link to read about a man who had as great an influence on the world of brass playing as anyone…
Adolphe Sax
The Historic Cinema Screen at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Here is a photo of the historic Walturdaw cinema screen at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, taken by RLPO photographer Mark McNulty earlier today.
Walturdaw rising cinema screen Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Said to be the last surviving, working one of it’s type in the world, Mark has captured it here as it raises up from the stage. If you haven’t been to the hall for one of our classic films, do so, it’s quite an experience.
The Phil’s resident cinema organist, Dave Nicholas – pictured here in 2004 receiving his award for over 20 year’s service from ex-Chief Executive Mick Elliott
Prior to the film showing there is always a recital by The Phil’s resident cinema organist, Dave Nicholas in his kilt!
RLPO latest release – Shostakovich 7
The new Shostakovich Symphony Number Seven, by Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, has been out on general release for a week now and so far the reviews have been amazing. Our version of ‘The Leningrad’ has been eagerly anticipated by many and has been the talk of the classical world for some time.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – the oldest orchestra in the UK
It is out on the Naxos label and is part of our box set of complete Shostakovich Symphonies on that label. This is what the critics have had to say so far…
Vasily on the cover of the new RLPO Shostakovich Symphony no. 7
John Suchet Receives His First Trombone Lesson From RLPO Principal Simon Cowen
As many regular visitors to this blog will know, Classic fm presenter John Suchet will be making his trombone debut with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on June 15th. This will be for the RLPO annual Superorchestra day when amateur musicians are invited to sit in with the orchestra for a day of rehearsals culminating in a concert. John, who also regularly presents RLPO concerts, has not played his trombone for over 45 years. The RLPO brass section were chatting to John at a reception when he was in Liverpool to present our popular Spirit Of Christmas series when he agreed to dusting off his ‘bone’ and joining us. Here is a video of John talking about how much he is looking forward to the event and showing his lesson with Simon Cowen, RLPO Section Leader Trombone, at the new Classic fm studios in London’s Leicester Square…
CLICK ON THESE LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THIS ALL CAME ABOUT…
Romance will never die!
“… I wrote this especially for you!” – (Spike Milligan)
Posted in About Brendan Ball
Tagged Musical cartoon, musical humour, musical joke, percussion humour
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