Well, well, well, it’s been a while..

So. Lots of things have happened, and as usual, I’ve forgotten to tell the world about them. Must deal with this with some bullet points.

• Yesterday saw an epic session with the lovely chaps at Variable 4 . Recording long notes, short notes, plucked notes, trilly notes, an assortment of sea-related noises and Britten’s Tema Sacher. All for use in an installation which’ll be at Aldeburgh on the 28th/29th May. Running for 24 hours. All triggered by the weather. Go, and pray for a thunder storm. Just to see what’ll happen.

• Performed with Phildel on Thursday at Bush Hall, supporting Joseph Arthur. Cracking set. Slowly getting the hang of this singing/playing malarkey. About time too. We’re lined up for Latitude now, lord knows what day, but you, my dear reader, will be duly notified.

• Awesome electric set with Pillarcat at the Camden Crawl.

• Recorded some lovely stringyness for Lucy Rose in March. We’ll be at Communion in Shepherd’s Bush on 4th June, and Rockness on 11th/12th June. Come, and watch me fail to put up a tent.

• Just started working with the lovely Emi Green. A new band, she has formed, and we’ll be at the Bedford on the 12th May.

• I have also joined the wonderful Buswell. Mr B and his mini orchestra (of variable size, so far the smallest has been 6, and there are at least 15 of us in total..) will be performing at Wychwood on the 3rd June.

• Last minute performance with the Stephen Crowe Ensemble at Nonclassical t’other day. Semi improvised glory nonetheless. If you missed this (how could you??), we’ll be performing Mr Crowe’s lovely mini-opera, Wretched Bliss at Bestival in September.

• Did a veeeery long Mahler 7 rehearsal on 90 minutes of sleep, and survived unscathed.

• Did a veeeery long Shostakovich 2/5 rehearsal, with ONLY ME IN THE SECTION and not only survived, but convincingly made the sound of at least 3 players.

Things I have learnt in the past weeks:

• My pickup does still work, contrary to the belief of the soundman at Heroes.

• I can do a good seagull impression when required.

• It is completely feasible to do a convincing double bass impression with a twangy cello.

• One does not need sleep to play Mahler.

AND RELAX. That was a long’un. Congratulations for those who have made it thus far. All that is left is for me to let you know about my next recital, eeee, excitements, which’ll be on the 8th June, at Deptford Town Hall. 7:30 pm. Repertoire will be…. (drum roll)… Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Ligeti Sonata for Solo Cello, Ginastera Pampeana no.2 and Schnittke Sonata no.2. Accompanied by the truly legendary Mr Richard Black. Be there of be a bit rubbish. You know it’ll be great.

Right. Enough is enough.

Au revoir for now x

These will never have good titles..

Ahoy, dear world. Here beginneth the customary update.

On the 18th February, Vinnie and I did a recital and didn’t die/cry/forget things/break things. Prizes please.

On 22nd February we did a lovely little showcase with Phildel . Transpires that on the same day, she’d sign to Decca. Very important stuff. Happy days. Next show will be on Friday 11th March, at the Purcell Rooms, supporting Emmy the Great, who I’ve heard of, which makes her famous, because I haven’t heard of many people. Tickets available here. Oop.

Otherwise, as applies to the whole of February, my life has been full of the Last Five Years. Nearly done mind, so life will soon return to normal. The run has had some very kind reviews, and all shows are now sold out, which makes me, the lowly cello 2 quite chuffed.

During L5Y performances I have learnt the following:

• that the completion of both Evening Standard crosswords in under half an hour is completely feasible
• that I’m a good triangle dinger but not a good chime ringer
• that if you’re scared of a solo it’ll never sound nice
• that I’ve unwittingly memorised the entire text
• that I think I quite like beer
• that, at a push, I can learn an entire new part in a day or so, with it sounding nice and that
• that its probably not a good idea to perform a musical based solely around the breakdown of a lengthy relationship when your own lengthy relationship is breaking down (having said that, its not the show’s fault, um, yeah..)
• that I like keys with flats in
• that Chiswick has a Nandos in
• that it is perfectly acceptable for grown adults to drink in parks

Here concludes the reading.

 

 

And so, my life continued..

Aha. The difficult second post. I am determined not to fall at this legendary hurdle.

So, I feel like considerably more than a week has passed, because I’m fucking knackered. Bah.

On Monday, I endured my first ever simultaneous BVs and cello experience in front of actual people with an actual microphone. Yippee. I didn’t explode, and we made the sound man cry. Win. All in aid of Phildel, this very lovely lady who will go considerable places (hopefully with her newfound cellists..).

Tuesday saw the begin of a run of a glorious show, The Last Five Years. Its only 80 minutes, and is showing at the Tabard Theatre in Turnham Green. Tickets available here! Yippee! Running gloriously till the 5th March.

This show is bloody brilliant, not just because the songs are good and the lyrics are clever and the cast are amazing and the score is loads of fun, but because the people are all ace. This may sound an obvious point to make, but it makes an enormous difference performing with people you at least like, let alone get on with well. We have been working together for 8 days. In the process, a considerable number of pints have been sunk, drunkeness has occurred, we’ve sat in the park drinking Stella in the rain like teenagers because the pub shut, we’ve slapped each other (with the most grace possible), spilled things on each other, offended each other, played lego games and gone to Nandos (clearly the mark of a growing friendship). Which, in 8 days is impressive.

The moral of the story? Be nice to your fellow pit-people.

Back to the original train of thought.. (prods self to remember)

Yes. Things I’ve been doing: Well, aside from the aforementioned shows, there’s been a rather lovely gig at the British Library with the very talented En Travesti. All good, with the exception of performing at A 415 which makes my head hurt, though it sounds bloody nice..

And finally, the bonus track of my difficult second post:

I have a recital coming up this Friday (click here for the Facebook event) Repertoire will be Britten, Lutoslawski and Ginastera. Please come! It’ll only be short, I promise! Free entry, 13:00 in the Council Chamber of Deptford Town Hall (SE14). There will be the opportunity to buy me coffee afterwards.

And with that I shall leave. For a bit, but not too long.

A new era beginneth

Hello everyone.

A quick heads-up for those not in the know. I’m Alex. The cello (the partner in crime) is Vinnie. There. Introductions over.

This is a new blog, and one which hopefully I will actually use this time. The intention is to use this space to promote, advertise, observe and discuss projects, performances and all that. There will obviously me many more inane posts too. Of course. I’m not entirely sure how this bloggyness works, but if you promise to read and follow then I promise to figure it out.

In the meantime, I shall divulge the details of my fun-filled weekend (which starts on Fridays, clearly).

Friday: Learn to sing and play simultaneously, in harmony with two other people, rehearse said logistical nightmare without ruining reputation or losing voice. If I pull this off I’m awarding myself at least 5 brownie points, and possibly a small cake.

Saturday: Cello lesson, in which I will inevitably be told off, prodded, danced at and sung to. All in the name of art, darlings. And not cocking up the pending recital of course. Very bad idea. Noo.

Sunday: Rehearsal for a show I don’t know. PLUS POINTS: Show isn’t long. Rehearsal isn’t long. UN-PLUS POINTS: Lots of doubling the violin, at pitch. Fuckers.

So, ta da! My first post, which in years will become part of a technological masterwork that is the blog of Alex and Vinnie.