Ismene Brown relates a fascinating memoir on the Spectator site of a wild gooseberry chase she went on after the late Michael Kennedy dropped hints in her direction that the great composer had a love child with another man’s cook. Ah, but there were two cooks with the same name.

It’s a fabulous, tangled tale of journalistic derring-do and a wonderful read for the weekend. Click here.

What it called to mind was the tip-off I received, some 30 years ago, from a godson of Elgar’s, that led me to track down the missing person in the Enigma Variations to the conservatoire in Leipzig, and later to New Zealand. It made the front page of the Sunday Times.

Name of Helen Weaver. Here she is.

helen weaver elgar1

picture (c) LebrechtMusic&Arts

Here’s one we missed from the New Year’s Honours List.

The banker, Jonathan Moulds, chair of the LSO’s development board and donor of its largest ever gift, has been awarded the CBE.

Aside from his work with the orchestra, Moulds, 47, is a violinist and viola player who lends out some of his prized instruments. One is currently in the hands of Nicola Benedetti.

In his day job, Moulds is European President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Well-deserved gong.

 

jonathan moulds nicola benedetti

Exclusive report here. Alex Barnes has swiftly produced the a professional video.

charlie hebdo traf sq

Neuro psychologists at Zurich University think they have found the area of the brain that gives us, or withholds, the ability to identify a note on hearing it. Now they are trying to work out why. It seems there are two theories…. Read summary here (in English).

new brain

More than 150 musicians turned out last night at a few hours’ notice, alerted by Slipped Disc and other social media, to play Samuel Barber’s Adagio on Trafalgar Square in memory of the innocent victims of the Paris massacre. They came from all over London, some from way beyond London, to voice together their sympathy and their outrage. The performance was led by the violinist, Thomas Gould.

Here is an exclusive report from the organiser, Vanessa Lucas-Smith, cellist of the Allegri Quartet.

charlie hebdo traf sq 2

photo(c) Thomas Bowles
Having played on the stage of many prestigious concert halls around the world it is hard to remember a performance that meant as much as tonight’s. Perched on a wall, four to a stand and freezing cold, there was only one work on the programme – Barber’s Adagio for Strings. Having fretted for most of the day as to how many would turn up and play at only a few hours notice – 150 did, at a conservative guess. (Lesson learnt – have more faith in humanity).

charlie hebdo traf sq 3

 

These are passionate, caring and generous people, never mind the impressive list of accolades between them (a BBC young musician of the year, orchestral leaders, international chamber musicians). It really is not the point. We were united in cause; one of remembrance, of the shock and horror of the brutality of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, of sadness for the victims and their friends and family and of the determination to stand up for democracy and freedom of expression. Living in these times we need as many reminders as are possible that most people act with love, kindness to others and with generosity of spirit.

charlie hebdo traf sq

photos (c) Vanessa Lucas-Smith/Slipped Disc

 

And now with added video of the performance. Click here.

 

More pics here.

 

The ecclesiastical authorities of the Church of St Martins in the Fields, after refusing to take calls all day, have told the organisers of tonight’s Charlie Hebdo Adagio that ‘it is too much of a security risk’ to have the performance on its premises.

Flannelled cowards and heartless fools. For once, the Church has a chance to do something meaningful with people who otherwise have no interest in its product and they run a white flag and surrender to Al Qaeda terror. For shame.

Never mind. The Charlie Hebdo Adagio will go ahead on the North Terrace of Trafalgar Square.

Vanessa is keeping a meeting place for musicians at the Church until 9.45 to avoid confusion.

Vanessa says: ‘We will not be silenced!’

st martin in the fields

John Luther Adams has announced on social media that he has been given the William Schuman award for lifetime achievement. It makes him $50,000 the richer and means he need no longer be referred to as ‘the other John  Adams’.

John Luther Adams, 62 this month, won a Pulitzer and had an orchestral best-seller this past year. Alaska based, he paid his first visit to Carnegie Hall in the spring of 2014.

john luther adams

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France helds a moment’s silence at noon for the victims of the Islamist attack on the satirical magazine. They then performed Beethoven’s seventh symphony, with Daniel Harding.

Watch video of the silence here.

Audience and orchestra players held placards that read ‘Je suis Charlie’.

je suis charlieje suis charlie2

Robert Lyall’s had enough at Michigan’s Opera Grand Rapids. Read here.

 

robert lyall

It was 2009 when he last set foot in London.

Have we missed Kent Nagano?

Press release follows.

Kent_Nagano_8_-_Wilfried_Hosl1

 

After more than 5 years, Kent Nagano is returning to London on 31 January 2015 to conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra inWolfgang Rihm’s “Tutuguri” – a work for large orchestra, percussionists, taped chorus and speaker. The performance at the Barbican in London is the UK premiere of Rihm’s “Poeme danse”. Kent Nagano has conducted this monumental piece before to great acclaim – at the rostrum of the BR Radio Symphony Orchestra Munich in 2012.

 

The concert is part of the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s “Total immersion: Percussion” – an interactive day featuring masterclasses, performances, talks and workshops at the Barbican, London.

Message from the Allegri Quartet. Please share.

 

In light of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, for those that died and for their family and friends. For the sake of democracy and free speech and for the role artists and musicians play in it, there will be a performance tonight of Barber’s Adagio for Strings at 10.45pm outside St Martins in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square.

Meet at 9.45pm at the church to rehearse. Bring a stand. Pegs to hold music. Stand lights if you have them.

Can you play?
Can you invite lots of people to play/come along please?

Ness (Allegri Quartet)

UPDATE: Thomas Gould will lead. Double-basses sorely needed.

2nd UPDATE: Slight change of venue here.

FINAL UPDATE: Here’s a report from the performance.

 

st martin in the fields

No surprise that the new artistic administrator speaks the Maestro’s lingo.

Press release below:

 

 

Cristina-Rocca

CHICAGO—Jeff Alexander, President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association from January 12, 2015, announced today the appointment of Cristina Rocca to the position of Vice President for Artistic Planning, the Richard and Mary L. Gray Chair, effective March 16, 2015. Rocca replaces Martha S. Gilmer, who left the CSOA in September to become Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Symphony.

In her new role, Rocca will design and execute the artistic plans and vision for the CSOA, working closely with Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Riccardo Muti and CSOA President Jeff Alexander to develop innovative programs and to engage guest artists for the CSO.

She will also collaborate with the CSOA’s Director of Programming in the presentation of guest artists and ensembles from a wide variety of genres—classical, jazz, world, and contemporary—annually offered as part of the CSOA’s prestigious presenting series, Symphony Center Presents.

Born in Bologna, Italy, Rocca currently serves as Artistic Director, Orchestre National de France, a post she has held since September 2012. Before that, she was Director of Artistic Planning for the Cleveland Orchestra. She also has been the Artistic Manager, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg; Head of Concerts and Programming, Bournemouth Symphony; and Head of Artistic Planning, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

Rocca is known for her strong skills in orchestral arts administration, her collegiality and professionalism and her deep knowledge of and experience with classical music repertoire and artists, many of whom the CSO engages regularly. She is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Her numerous accomplishments include widening and diversifying the repertoire and pool of visiting artists at the Orchestre National de France, where she worked alongside Music Director Daniele Gatti to enhance the orchestra’s position nationally and internationally. There she also strengthened relationships with the ARTE, Medici and Mezzo television and web companies. In Cleveland, Rocca’s knowledge of and experience in the European music world helped contribute to the success and diversification of the orchestra’s programming at home and on tour.

In announcing Rocca’s appointment, Alexander said, “It became clear during the search process to fill this very important position that Cristina Rocca’s background, experience, artistic sensibilities and personal qualities were exactly what we were looking for. Her reputation with artists and artist managers in the United States and internationally is impeccable. I am pleased to welcome Cristina to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, and look forward to working with her.”

Riccardo Muti, Music Director of the CSO, said, “I am very happy that Cristina Rocca has accepted the position of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Vice President for Artistic Planning. She is someone I have known well for many years and is a person of great experience and professionalism. She will be a wonderful addition to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra family.”

Said Rocca, ‘I feel privileged and honored.’