Something Good Made in England !

Now that we’re so used to the high quality of some of the stringed instruments coming from China, it came as a surprise to find decent hand-made violins made in England for less than one might expect.

The Wessex Violin Co. aims to offer young musicians going to University or Conservatoire the opportunity to own a handmade modern interpretation of the English school of Violin making. The company is building on a tradition of English workshop craftsmanship, lost since the middle of the last century, and reinvigorated by the excellent tradition of the Newark school.

The instruments are made to the highest standards using Balkan maple and Bavarian spruce, and they are finished with a traditional chestnut-brown oil-based varnish that is intended to recreate the look of the great English makers Kennedy and Hill.

We have a pair in stock at the moment. They would be eligible for the Take it Away scheme if purchased for a young person under the age of 18.

Rebecca Clarke

I've been spending the last few days getting to know the viola music of Rebecca Clarke, which I first heard "blind" so to speak, not knowing who the composer was.

She was born in 1886, and as far as I can see, must have been one of the first really professional female musicians, working as a violist first in London, where she'd been taught composition by Stanford, and then in the USA. She must have been hot stuff, because she appeared with the likes of Heifetz.

Her most famous composition was the Viola Sonata of 1919 - which was considered too good to have been composed by a "mere woman" - but there are other absolute gems in her admittedly rather small output. Try "Morpheus" or "Lullaby on an Ancient Irish Tune". Each one is a real pleasure.

Try them all - there's a good CD of her compositions on Naxos, played by Philip Dukes and Sonia Rahman, along with Daniel Hope, and our one-time customer Robert Plane (he bought his first wooden clarinet here.)

Ironically in this week of International Womens Day, Rebecca Clarke appears to have been ignored by BBC Radio 3. But her work is so good it doesn't need special pleading.

And Now Some Good News ....

The entire UK music industry is celebrating after the Live Music Bill passed its third reading and report stage in the House of Commons. The Bill, introduced by Lib Dem Peer Tim Clement-Jones and promoted in the Commons by Bath MP Don Foster, should now proceed to Royal Assent.

As a result, small venues wanting to host live music events will no longer need a local authority entertainment licence – cutting bureaucracy and expense, and making it easier for pubs and clubs to host live performances.

The current Licensing Act has created an excess of bureaucracy - making it almost prohibitive for pubs and other small venues to host live gigs. Good to see politicians now doing something constructive, even though a lot of pubs amd small venues have already been closed down for good.

John Myatt Memorial Concert

You may like to know that Janet Myatt is planning a Memorial Concert for her late husband John. It is planned to take place on February 4th at Blythburgh Church. The programme is to include Mahler Symphony No 5, Strauss Serenade for Wind Instruments and Bach Orhestral Suite in C
Accomplished string players are welcome to come and play - rehearse on the day and concert in the evening.
It should be a memorable event in a wonderful setting - Blythburgh Church is worth a visit itself!
Further details from Janet on janet@windchambermusic.org.uk

Drummers Wanted for Olympics Opening Ceremony

London 2012 Ceremonies Ltd are seeking volunteer drummers for the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The organiser is looking for people with good percussion and drumming experience, enthusiasm, personality, a positive attitude, a great deal of energy and a willingness to perform in front of a stadium audience and to millions of people around the world.

Applicants must be 18 years or older on March 1st 2012 and able to meet the commitment requirements for rehearsals. Previous performance experience is not required.

To find out how to apply for an audition and for full detail on the commitments involved go to http://www.london2012.com/ceremoniescasting

The closing date for applications is January 9th 2012

NAXOS - Going Up !

Naxos CDs have announced a price rise from January 2012. It's the second price rise in 14 years - the swine! From January 3rd the normal retail price will be £6-99, so stock up now with our Special Offer of Five Naxos Single CDs for £25 - that's a saving of £9-95 on the new prices !
Doubles count as two (obviously!) and special orders after December 31 won't be included in this offer.

Wherever You Are

It’s not too late to include what will be (with any luck!) the Christmas number 1 in your choir’s Christmas Concert – we have the music in stock!
Written for SSA chorus and Piano. This is the original arrangement as sung by the Military Wives Choir.It’s also available for SATB or TTBB or as a solo/unison songCommissioned by Gareth Malone for Series Four of BBC TV's 'The Choir' and first performed by Malone and the Military Wives' choir as part of The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th November 2011 in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.A favourite for the 2011 Christmas Number One, with support from radio DJ Chris Evans who has suggested every choir in the country should sing this song, it's the biggest threat to X-Factor chart domination this year.The text is taken from poems, letters and prayers written by the Military Wives, selected and adapted by Paul Mealor, and a passage from the Book of John. A lovely tear-jerker in support of a good cause.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0hR6O7VxKaQ