A little update...
As I write, I am surrounded by sheep in a tiny village in Yorkshire, where I have been based this week for 8 concerts. I am sitting with a glass of wine in the village pub, waiting for my bangers and mash to arrive! When I am in the countryside, there are ALWAYS far more hours in the day (something about London means time just slips through your fingers!) and so I am using the time wisely and catching up on things I never seem to have time to do! As usual, I have left far too long between blogs, and am trying to remember what I have been up to over the last few months!
Back in April, I had my second Wigmore Hall recital this season. That was great fun - I really enjoyed it. It was only marred by the fact that whilst I was rehearsing in the hall in the afternoon, all of my jewellery and make-up was stolen from the Green Room backstage. This was not only shocking, but incredibly distressing as I lost a lot of sentimental things including a diamond ring which was a present from my parents. I only realised what had happened as I got ready to go on stage and could not find the relevant things. Anyway, I had to go on stage, (sadly without my favourite pieces of jewellery that I had selected to wear) but I was determined not to let it affect my performance. Despite the unbelievable goings on backstage, I would like to remember the positive things, which was being able to perform in such a fantastic hall once again. And it was great to see so many friends in the audience! I was really happy with my performance, and it was great to see a very nice review in The Times!
After my Wigmore recital, I finally managed to get round to booking up my Christmas present from Oli - a wonderful day at The Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden complete with massage and facial etc! Absolute bliss! I thoroughly recommend this to all girls!
I have now finished my studies in Paris - I have had a brilliant time with Jean-Yves over the last four years and I'm really looking forward to putting everything I have absorbed into practise. My time with him has been totally invaluable, and I'll miss him, but after 10 years of formal study, I think it's now time for me to fly by myself!My recitals over the last couple of months have taken me all over the place. I love visiting all these different places and playing in the festivals - some of the places I have recently performed at include the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple, and the Honiton, Beaumaris, Cambridge, Corsham and Harrogate International Festivals. Additionally, I've been busy in the Orchestra, with concerts ranging from a world premiere with the BBC Concert Orchestra to an Abba concert (in the rain)!
Next week should be very interesting - I will be up in Aldeburgh for a few days to play bass clarinet and clarinet in a small chamber opera. I am looking forward to spending some time by the sea - and I have just been informed that I'll be staying in a holiday cottage on the seafront! Very nice! Visitors welcome!
Aside from all my musical commitments, I have found time to indulge in another of my passions which is going to the theatre. I saw 'A Little Night Music', which my former teacher's son was starring in and 'Madame de Sade' with Dame Judy Dench - both were fantastic. I also saw 'Oliver!' for the fourth time, which coincided with Rowan Atkinson's last performance as Fagin. I wouldn't normally see something four times, but when your boyfriend is in the orchestra, it's quite nice to pop along every so often! And it's a GREAT show! Most recently, I saw Henry Goodman in 'Duet for One'. This was acting at its best. Funnily enough, I got chatting to the gentleman sat next to me, who happened to be a former Head of Sixth Form at the Purcell School (where I studied from 1999-2001) and also a former Director of the Menuhin School… it's funny who you meet at the theatre!!
I am soon going to be whisked away by my lovely (and rather neglected of late!) boyfriend for a much-needed holiday. I still don't know where I am going - he has arranged it all by himself and the destination is a surprise! I have been informed that I will just need my sunglasses and bikini to go with the 3 injections I have had to have! Wherever it is, it sounds like my perfect holiday! I think he gets 11/10 for that!
I ought to sign off now and get some sleep. I'm giving a recital tomorrow in a converted stable! It actually sounds very nice - it is set in beautiful gardens (hope the rain holds off!) in Kent and there is a champagne reception, although I think I'll save this bit of the evening until AFTER I have played!
Goodnight x
Back in April, I had my second Wigmore Hall recital this season. That was great fun - I really enjoyed it. It was only marred by the fact that whilst I was rehearsing in the hall in the afternoon, all of my jewellery and make-up was stolen from the Green Room backstage. This was not only shocking, but incredibly distressing as I lost a lot of sentimental things including a diamond ring which was a present from my parents. I only realised what had happened as I got ready to go on stage and could not find the relevant things. Anyway, I had to go on stage, (sadly without my favourite pieces of jewellery that I had selected to wear) but I was determined not to let it affect my performance. Despite the unbelievable goings on backstage, I would like to remember the positive things, which was being able to perform in such a fantastic hall once again. And it was great to see so many friends in the audience! I was really happy with my performance, and it was great to see a very nice review in The Times!
After my Wigmore recital, I finally managed to get round to booking up my Christmas present from Oli - a wonderful day at The Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden complete with massage and facial etc! Absolute bliss! I thoroughly recommend this to all girls!
I have now finished my studies in Paris - I have had a brilliant time with Jean-Yves over the last four years and I'm really looking forward to putting everything I have absorbed into practise. My time with him has been totally invaluable, and I'll miss him, but after 10 years of formal study, I think it's now time for me to fly by myself!My recitals over the last couple of months have taken me all over the place. I love visiting all these different places and playing in the festivals - some of the places I have recently performed at include the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple, and the Honiton, Beaumaris, Cambridge, Corsham and Harrogate International Festivals. Additionally, I've been busy in the Orchestra, with concerts ranging from a world premiere with the BBC Concert Orchestra to an Abba concert (in the rain)!
Next week should be very interesting - I will be up in Aldeburgh for a few days to play bass clarinet and clarinet in a small chamber opera. I am looking forward to spending some time by the sea - and I have just been informed that I'll be staying in a holiday cottage on the seafront! Very nice! Visitors welcome!
Aside from all my musical commitments, I have found time to indulge in another of my passions which is going to the theatre. I saw 'A Little Night Music', which my former teacher's son was starring in and 'Madame de Sade' with Dame Judy Dench - both were fantastic. I also saw 'Oliver!' for the fourth time, which coincided with Rowan Atkinson's last performance as Fagin. I wouldn't normally see something four times, but when your boyfriend is in the orchestra, it's quite nice to pop along every so often! And it's a GREAT show! Most recently, I saw Henry Goodman in 'Duet for One'. This was acting at its best. Funnily enough, I got chatting to the gentleman sat next to me, who happened to be a former Head of Sixth Form at the Purcell School (where I studied from 1999-2001) and also a former Director of the Menuhin School… it's funny who you meet at the theatre!!
I am soon going to be whisked away by my lovely (and rather neglected of late!) boyfriend for a much-needed holiday. I still don't know where I am going - he has arranged it all by himself and the destination is a surprise! I have been informed that I will just need my sunglasses and bikini to go with the 3 injections I have had to have! Wherever it is, it sounds like my perfect holiday! I think he gets 11/10 for that!
I ought to sign off now and get some sleep. I'm giving a recital tomorrow in a converted stable! It actually sounds very nice - it is set in beautiful gardens (hope the rain holds off!) in Kent and there is a champagne reception, although I think I'll save this bit of the evening until AFTER I have played!
Goodnight x
