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Sea Odyssey – Giant spectacular!
Today is the beginning of a spectacular three day festival of street art in Liverpool. French company, Royal Deluxe, who recently brought us the Giant Spider, will be ‘unleashing’ three robotic giants on the city centre. Entitled ‘Sea Odyssey – Giant Spectacular’ cracks in the pavement have appeared outside the Cunard Building and giant geysers have spouted into the air. One giant, The Uncle has already emerged from the Mersey and another, The grandaughter, has been awakened in Stanley Park by the Liverpool Phil’s In Harmony children.
I’ll be getting down there myself on Saturday and Sunday. For event information visit:- Official Website – Sea Odyssey/Giant Spectacular
Also, Check out ace photographer, Mark McNulty’s impressive website for up to date photos:-
Mark McNulty - Photos
For the full run down – Matt Thomas Blog
Get to your ‘spec’ along the route or scheduled events early, many thousands of people are expected to turn up to witness Giant Spectacular!
Posted in The Gallery
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Ensemble 10/10 – ‘Pathfinders’ – live at Hope Cornerstone!
The stunning new gardens at Hope Cornerstone
“The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s avant-garde flying squad, Ensemble 10/10.” The Times
Posted in The Brass Section
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Zurich Chamber Orchestra – Rollercoaster
Great Promotional Video from the Zurich Chamber Orchestra
How they made the film…
Posted in The Brass Section
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London Olympics policy ‘not’ to pay professional musicians. Boo!
The following post is re-posted from the ‘Corporate Watch’ website from April 5th 2012…
“The organisers of the London Olympics have been happy to hand huge amounts of public money to multinational companies but are refusing to pay the musicians they are employing to perform at the Games, Corporate Watch can reveal.
Professional musicians approached by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to play at sporting events during the Games have been told its policy is not to pay artists and that they should do it “for the exposure”. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies, LOCOG is contracting professional musicians to provide entertainment and atmosphere throughout the Olympic fortnight.
Posted in About Brendan Ball
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In Memoriam Maurice Andre
There is a festival of trumpets taking place in Caracas, Venezuela, this week to pay homage to the greatest trumpeter of our time.
Posted in The Trumpet o-iii<O
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Do You Work For Free?
I was so impressed by Elizabeth Hobb’s response to the Evening Standard publishing that musicians should be happy to perform for free at the London Olympics 2012, that I decided to post it in full here. People out there need to realise that construction workers, electricians, security firms, train drivers, administrators etc are being paid. Musicians do this for a living! Well said Elizabeth. Elizabeth Hobbs says…
Posted in About Brendan Ball
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Vienna Symphony issues support against swingeing Dutch cuts to Orchestras
For any Dutch friends you may have, or better Dutch politicians you may know. A message from the Vienna Symphony in support against the cultural budget cuts.
Remember – we’re all in this together!
Posted in About Brendan Ball
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The Titanic 15/4/2012
One hundred years ago, in the early hours of the morning, eight brave musicians died doing what they did best- playing music, to try and calm passengers as the Titanic sank below the icy waves. They didn’t have to play- they were employed by Blacks music agency of Liverpool, not the White Star Line, but they did. Many survivors in the lifeboats mentioned the band playing lively waltzes until the list of the deck made it physically impossible to stand, let alone play. Two weeks later, the parents of one of the violinists, “Jock” Hulme, received an invoice from Blacks for 5s 4d, for the cost of his band uniform! It was the first official contact they had had from the agency!
About the same time, the body of Bandmaster Wallace Hartley was recovered from the sea, still with his music case strapped to him. At his funeral, 30,000 mourners turned out to pay their respects!
Eight true heroes.
RIP
A plaque in honour of the memory of the band of the Titanic was erected front of house in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where it remains today
