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Newsletter - August 2003
Articles
Memories of China | Quote of the month | July Meeting | Next meeting | IX Guitar Gathering | Lute Society Meeting | Southbourne Literary Society | For Sale | Guitar Cases | Future Meetings | Concert Diary | Contact NumbersMemories of China
It seems a long time ago now, but way back in the Easter holidays, in April, Mandy and I visited China with a group from All Saints School in Weymouth.
Panda at Beijing Zoo
Tang Dynasty Show
Anyway, in the evenings apart from eating Chinese meals, we were taken to several shows including the Beijing Opera (sounds grand but isn’t), the Chinese Acrobat show (amazing!) and the Tang Dynasty show. The latter is the reason for my writing this piece for the newsletter. (see photo above)
The instruments date back to the Tang Dynasty AD 618 - 907, so I believe, and the show consisted of a series of musical acts interspersed with dancing. The story centred on the court of the Emperor Tang. It was all very colourful, rather loud, and sometimes even tuneful. One humorous piece imitated two ducks arguing using an array of percussive instruments (sorry I didn’t get a snap of that.)
Ehru
On reflection, I don’t think mine is a particularly fine example of the instrument, as the vendor arrived with string of Erhus on his bicycle handlebars, and I paid £5 (after the usual bartering)! I can’t get much of a note out it, unlike the rickshaw driver who could play it superbly - he also told me I’d paid too much for it! One of its most enduring features is the flexible soundboard, which is made of python’s skin.
We’d love to return to China one day, the culture was fascinating and the people were very friendly. Eight days just wasn’t long enough.
Top of pageMore photos from Tang Dynasty show
Tang Dynasty Show
Tang Dynasty Show
Tang Dynasty Show
Tang Dynasty Show
Quote of the Month
"The painter turns a poem into a painting: the musician sets a picture to music."
Aphorisms, c1883
Top of pageJuly Meeting
Our sight reading hats have had a lot of use recently. We managed to play through an amazing number of pieces this month.
We were actually exploring the possibility of playing them for the Southbourne Literary Society’s meeting on 17th September. The pieces were very well chosen by Ann and most of them proved to be suitable for the occasion as well as popular. We even had several requests to play them a second time round. We now just need to polish them up a bit before the performance.
Thanks to everyone who remembered to bring back all their old music, I think that Ann collected quite a pile.
After coffee players were:
- Rosemary played An exercise (that she has named Plaintive Melody) by Julio Sagrerias
- Valerie played Adagio by Mertz, Rossina by Hans Judenkunig, and Valse by Rodrigo Riera
- Bill R. played Retrato Brasileiro by Baden Powell
- Andrew K. played Allemande by Carlo Calvi, Preludio by Marc Andes and Danza by Martin Parison
- Ann (on flute) and Katie played Pacoca by Celso Machado
- Margaret played Cycles in the Avenue by V. Lindsey- Clark.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 17th August at 5.45 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. in the small hall. We are going to make a start on Concerto no II by S. Kenyon. This is the piece that we will be playing for the Derby Exchange in October. Most of us have played this piece before but you may find yourself on a different part from last time.
Top of pageIX Guitar Gathering- 27 June
Guitar music, food and drink - what better way to spend a Friday evening. Nine guitarists at the Ninth Coda Guitar Gathering on Friday 27th June provided the music. We heard a variety of styles from the renaissance era to the present day.
After the playing there was ample time to relax with a glass of wine or juice and have a chat to fellow students and friends.
The guitar gatherings are becoming increasingly popular and are enjoyed by everyone who loves playing and listening to the classical guitar. Come and join us for the next one but don’t forget to book in advance to ensure there are enough refreshments, as they get eaten up very quickly!
I’m always grateful when some of my old friends come and help me out! Vivaldi, Dowland, Pachebel and Albeniz - On closer inspection I think it looks like me, Stephen, Katie and Ann
Photos of this event on the Coda website at: www.coda.org.uk/Events/GuitarGatheringJune2003/. Watch this space for the date of the next one - see Stephen for tickets.
Top of pageLute Society Meeting - 13 Sept
The next Lute Society meeting will be held on Saturday 13th September at the Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1 (nearest tubes: Russell Square, Holborn); please ring the doorbell on arrival.
Members and non-members alike are welcome.
Lute Society publications, and some Dutch, French and American lute society editions will be on sale, and Brian Jordan should be in attendance with a wide range of music for sale.
- 11.00 Coffee
- 11.30 The forgotten lute; a painless introduction to 18th century music, a talk by Lynda Sayce, focussing on a forgotten lute; the mandora or gallizona.
- 12.30 A lute pendant in the Museum of London, a talk by Hazel Forsyth.
- 12.45 Arnault of Zwolle, a puzzle explained? a talk by David van Edwards on a late 15th century description and drawing of a lute.
- 1.00 Break for lunch
- 2.00 Masterclass with Julian Bream with students including Thomas Dunford, Bill Badley.
- 3.30 Tea
- 4.00 The Lute Society Recital: Liz Kenny plays renaissance lute music (programme to be announced)
Hope to see you there!
Top of pageSouthbourne Literary Society - 17 September
For those involved in playing for the Southbourne Literary Society - here are the final details.
Map of meeting place
The music that we will be playing is:
- Fuga, Villanos and Canarios by Sanz
- Andante and Allegro by Carulli
- Entry Dance, Rondeau and Dance for the Fairies by Purcell
- Kalimba by Kindle
- Planxty Irwin, The Foggy Dew, Sheebeg & Sheemore, Black is the Colour and Hewlett by O’Carolan
- Greek Dance and Speak to Me by Hatzidakis
This is not necessarily the order that we will be playing it. Rehearsal to be arranged.
Time
We will be playing from 8.45 p.m but we are welcome to come and listen to the speaker from 7.30 p.m if we wish.
The speaker will be Richard Wirdnam and the subject will be Theodore Powys (see below)
Theodore Francis Powys 1875-1953
Powys's unorthodox version of Christianity reveals strands of mysticism, quietism, and pantheism, but the major influence upon him was the Bible, and he claimed that Religion 'is the only subject I know anything about'. Sometimes savage, often lyrical, his novels and stories explore universal themes of Love, Death, Good and Evil within the microcosm of the rural world. In spite of the apparent realism of his settings, Powys is a symbolist and allegorist. Major works include The Soliloquy of a Hermit, Mr Weston's Good Wine, and Unclay; his Fables and short stories are also much admired.
Words and photo from the Powys official website at : www.powys-society.org/
Top of pageFor Sale
AUTHENTIC AFRICAN DRUM (HEIGHT 24 INCHES)
COST £200 - ACCEPT REASONABLE OFFER
AUTHENTIC DIDGERIDOO
ANY OFFERS CONSIDERED
VIEWING - AT AUGUST DGS MEETING
An alternative use of guitar cases
Rosemary’s Cat - Annie
Margaret’s Rabbit - Corrie
Top of pageFuture Meetings
| September 21 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. | October 19 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 16 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. | December 21 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
Concert Diary
WEST DEAN - AUGUST
Sat 16 - 8.00 p.m. Ben Verdery
Sun 17 - 2.00 p.m. Ben Verdery (Masterclass)
Sun 17 - 8.00 p.m. Eden Stell Duo
Mon 18 - 8.00 p.m. Karen Schaupp
Wed 20 - 8.00 p.m. David Leisner
Tel: 01243 778830 £10 Masterclass £5 (season ticket £35 - excludes Masterclass)
Saturday 20 Sept - Workshop 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Chandlers Ford Community Centre
Saturday 20 Sept - Concert 8 p.m.
The Point, Leigh Rd, Eastleigh
Southampton Guitar Society
McClelland Cousté Duo
Tel: Wayne Lines 01329 310792 (£40 inc. lunch & concert)
Concert only £9 (conc £6)
Sat 4th October
Derby Classical Guitar Society
Derby
Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Sat 11th October
Dorset Guitar Society
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Rd, Kinson, Bournemouth.
Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Sun 12th October
Dorchester
Concert with John Mills
Saturday 15 November - Concert 8 p.m.
Southampton Guitar Society
The Point, Leigh Rd, Eastleigh
José Manuel Dapena
Tel: Box Office: 023 8065 2333 £9 (conc £6)
Saturday 22nd November - Concert 7.30 p.m.
Sunday 23rd November - Workshop
DORSET GUITAR SOCIETY
Kinson Community Centre
Neil Smith
Tel: Margaret Tredwell 01425 613 739
Friday 12 - Sunday 14 December (Weekend)
Urchfont Manor, Devizes, Wiltshire
Guitar course
A course aimed at providing guitar ensemble experience in an orchestral situation and in smaller groupings.
Tutors: Raymond Burley & Cornelius Bruinsma
Tel: 01380 840495
£88 (non residential), £109, £115, £126, £136
Friday 20 - Sunday 22 February
Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset
Guitar course
This weekend gives classical guitarists of all ages and of varying abilities the opportunity to participate in a guitar orchestra. Parts in the orchestra range in difficulty from elementary (grade 2) to advanced (grade 8) and will be allocated in accordance with playing standard, The music will be made available one month before the course, allowing some advance preparation.
Tutors: Peter Rueffer
Tel: 01460 258 613
www.dillington.co.uk
£106 (non residential), £141, £152, £157, £168, £179