Thursday, September 28, 2006
Nearly at Oxford!!!!
With only a few days to go until I start my undergraduate course at Lincoln College, Oxford, now seems a good time to look back over the events of the last fortnight, and to remind everyone about my new website, www.huwmorgan.net !!
Anyway, after a lesson in London with James Watson, I rehearsed with an NYO Brass Quintet under the direction of Patrick Harrild, in preparation for a fundraising NYO Quiz night, held at the Floral Hall, Covent Garden. The night was an undoubted success, with questions set by Michael Berkley and presented by John Snow (he of Channel 4 News fame!) which I gather raised a not inconsiderable amount for the NYOs coffers....I look forward to playing in another NYO gig, this time for more 'corporate' people at London's Goldsmith Hall in October.
Following swiftly on the heels of the quintet appearance, I travelled to Manchester to perform a recital at my alma mater (I think that's how you spell it!) Chetham's School of Music. It was wonderful to be back, and see such a packed audience in the Baronial Hall, as well as numerous friendly faces. Many thanks to everyone who attended - it was a very profitable and worthwhile run-out of my Wigmore Hall programme, which I will perform on Thursday 2nd November at 1pm.....quick plug......!
Next on the agenda was Professor James Watson's inaugural lecture/recital at the RAM....and what an occassion! It was good to hear Mr. Watson talk about his experiences throughout the proffession, and particularly the infulences of his earliest teachers, who emphasied lyrical and song-like playing. We were also treated to some first class solo playing, including the London Premier of Judith Bingham's Enter Ghost, and fine ensemble performances from the RAM Brass Band and RAM Brass Soloists.
The 'after-show' get together was also quite entertaining, and it was especially nice for me to meet Ursula Jones, who through several trusts and foundations has supported my attendance to the National Youth Orchestra courses. I also met the composer Joseph Horowitz (we had just performed his 'Music Hall Suite' in Covent Garden a few days previously), which was a particular honour. He made it know that many people play the opening movement of this quintet much too fast, so pay attention to the metronome mark next time!!!! haha!
Well, I must get packing, there is still so much to do before Monday morning, I feel as if I've only just started! I will endeavour to post again after the roller-coaster that is....Freshers' week....bring it on!!!!!!
Posted by Huw Morgan
Monday, September 04, 2006
Jens Lindemann lesson
Having just returned from Manchester from the Great Northern Brass Festival, I can honestly say what a privilege it was to attend the events on Saturday, and in particular my lesson with the great Canadian virtuoso, Jens Lindemann. Jens is not only a phenomenal player, with a limitless technique and great musicianship, but also a complete inspiration - he really is the 'trumpet master.' Having played a programme of Fasch (Concerto), Legende by George Enescu and Kaddisch (Ravel) I was then treated to over two hours of teaching which helped greatly on all sorts of levels - technical, musical etc. Some of his tips were so simple yet effective - keep in touch with you lower body, don't make a sound when you breathe (imagine there's an egg in your mouth)....the list is endless. To cap it all, after interviewing Jens for the Brass Herald magazine, I was then treated to a variety of Dim Sum by Jens and his wife in the Yang Sing restaurant (for those of you unfamiliar with Manchester, this is the best Chinese in town!)
So all in all, a fantastic day. The concert on Saturday was equally brilliant, with Jens soloing with both the Fodens band and Black Dyke. Particular highlights were his rendition of Malaguena (played in tribute to the great Maynard Ferguson) and an arrangement of the Gershwin song Someone To Watch Over Me. But Jens wasn't the only soloist on the night, and I particularly enjoyed a stunning performance on tuba from Les Neish of the Carnival de Venise with the Fodens band.
Jens has also invited me to take part in two summer schools next year - firstly the Rafael Mendez Summit Brass Institute (in Denver, Colorado - with Jens, Allen Vizzutti, Dave Hickman, Allan Dean et all) and secondly a programme at the Banff Centre for Arts in Canada...if everything falls into place, the summer of 2007 promises to be an exciting one!
I'll post again later in Spetember, after my concerts in the ROH and Manchester. Meanwhile, you may also like to know that I now have my own website - www.huwmorgan.net My thanks must go to Adrian Horn (the B-F founder, no less) who constructed the site in double quick time, with great professionalism. I can now be contacted on email via the site - huw@huwmorgan.net
Let me know what you think!
Posted by Huw Morgan
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