53: Silence is Consent
On October 4th 1936, Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists (known as the Blackshirts) attempted to march through the streets of East London, threatening the local, long-established … Continue reading
52: After Brexit
I’m writing this in Marseille, in the aftermath of Britain’s devastating vote to leave the European Union. How are we to respond to this as musicians, and what can we … Continue reading
51: If You Should Fall
I began this monthly blog nearly five years ago. My intention was to give news of current Grand Union activities and ideas, combined with anecdotal background on the Company, my … Continue reading
50: Red Soil (UdS)
‘British identity’ has long been a hot topic of discussion and argument, intensified in recent years as Britain’s membership of the European Union is being questioned and ‘multiculturalism’ viciously savaged. … Continue reading
49: Song of Contagion
One Saturday evening in late autumn 2014, a distinguished epidemiologist found herself at a loose end in Hackney. On a whim, she decided to drop into a show at the Hackney … Continue reading
48: Shanghai Crabs
I am writing this in Shanghai, towards the end of fascinating travels that have taken me through Malaysia, Melbourne, South Australia and Singapore. Over several weeks I’ve encountered an extraordinary … Continue reading
47: 2015 Revisited
2015 was certainly a switchback ride for the Grand Union Orchestra – some sublime moments, touches of deep sadness, some proud achievements, occasional set-backs and hard graft – but a great … Continue reading
46: Sonata Form in Salsa!
When the BBC announced its first Ten Pieces initiative in 2014, Cambridgeshire Music Service asked Grand Union to work with some of their ensembles to contribute to the project. Since we had … Continue reading
45: Liberation Street revisited
Looking for footage to illustrate my tribute to Cengiz Saner last month, I chanced on the video of On Liberation Street, in which – as well as directing the show … Continue reading
44: On Liberation Street
RIP Cengiz Saner It’s with a heavy heart that I have to record that Cengiz Saner died last month after a short illness. Cengiz was one of the most valued … Continue reading
43: Mr Never-Smile (UdS)
Mythical or imaginary figures appear frequently in Grand Union shows. They are archetypes, serving to encapsulate a particular character or mood, or frame the story. Three appear in Undream’d Shores: … Continue reading
42: The Isle is Full of Noises (UdS)
Living in Britain today, we are continually aware of how migration has shaped British culture and identity throughout history, and continues to do so. Migrants contribute their trades, their skills … Continue reading
41: A Thousand and One Tides
Mil e Uma Marés at the Luisa Todi Auditorium in Setúbal – yet another memorable night in Grand Union history! Following Soie et Charbon in Alès in September and Undream’d … Continue reading
40: Postcard to the Sea (UdS)
This month marks another significant event in the Grand Union Orchestra calendar – we return to Portugal to complete the final stage there of our two-year EU-funded project. The show is … Continue reading
