83: Breaking the Spell
I’m writing this Post about half-way through the Grand Union Orchestra’s 40th anniversary year – the Company hit the road for the first time with a music-theatre show Jelly Roll … Continue reading
82: Raise the Banner
2021 was a bumper year for anniversaries of events of lasting social and political significance in London’s East End. This 3-minute video introduces how the Grand Union Orchestra commemorated … Continue reading
81: The Covid19th Chord
There’s a great sentimental Victorian ballad called The Lost Chord, by Sir Arthur Sullivan of G & S Savoy Operas fame. Sadly these days, few people seem to have heard … Continue reading
80: Now we are 80!
Foreword: when I originally wrote this Post, I was reluctant to admit that I was just a few days short of my 8oth birthday, so I wrote this allusive, enigmatic, … Continue reading
79: Declaration of Independence
After the Second World War, Britain began to grant independence to its various colonies across the globe. In 1947, India was divided into separate nations; one of them, Pakistan, was … Continue reading
78: Let’s Create
“South Korean scientists have created an algorithm to determine whose work, out of 19 composers, was the most original.” (Arts Professional, January 14th 2021). This is one of the scariest … Continue reading
77: Artists Show the Way
This Post explores in more detail themes from the two previous Posts – (75) the value of improvisation, and (76) the limitations of cultural institutions. It is generally accepted … Continue reading
76: Staying Ahead of the Game
This is essentially a sequel to my previous Post (75), on the virtues of improvisation. During the months since the original Lockdown, the Grand Union has fared reasonably well . … Continue reading
75: Improvisation
Improvisation – the ability to think on your feet, live by your wits, adapt quickly to changing circumstances – is one of life’s essential skills. Along with empathy, it is … Continue reading
74: Five Hundred Years or more…
Reflecting on the horrific murder of George Floyd, the protests and civic unrest that it unleashed worldwide, I remembered a powerful piece, Worksong, from the Grand Union Orchestra canon a … Continue reading
73: In Memoriam John Cumming
It’s with great sadness that I learnt of the death of John Cumming, a valued friend from pretty well the beginning of my working life as a musician. Most of … Continue reading
72: 20/20 and a timely look back…
Exactly three months ago, I was writing a message of hope and good cheer for 2020 (Post 71), just before setting off for Australia and South Asia. Who could have … Continue reading
71: 2020 Vision
Here is a soundtrack to these seasonal greetings (albeit in reverse order!); for more details, go to Post 60. Whatever happens in 2020, it is surely going to be an … Continue reading
70: Democracy needs Imagination
To work effectively, democracy needs freedom of thought and expression if citizens are to make informed decisions in casting their votes; it also requires empathy – the capacity to appreciate … Continue reading
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