58: What a Result!
No, I don’t mean the UK general election (although strangely that may have helped!), but the performances of Song of Contagion at Wilton’s Music Hall. By common consent, this was probably … Continue reading
57: An Alliance of Music and Science
For the next three months, leading up to the première performances of Song of Contagion at Wilton’s Music Hall (June 13th to 17th), the form of this blog will change. … Continue reading
56: If Music Could…
Looking for some music to set a positive tone for 2017 to go with New Year greetings, I remembered this from the Grand Union Orchesta repertoire – wistful maybe, but … Continue reading
55: In Memoriam Alan Dossor
These days I open the review pages of The Guardian with some apprehension: they are usually immediately opposite the obituary page. On Friday August 12th I was surprised and saddened … Continue reading
54: The Battle of Cable Street
Earlier this month, Grand Union commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street (which I wrote about in my previous post 53: Silence is Consent) with two quite … Continue reading
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 Jewish … 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
