Opera, Italian for ‘work’, is an art form over 400 years old. Inspired by mythology, history, folk stories and politics, composers have turned to writing operas as an outlet of creativity, but the stories behind opera’s broad and fascinating history are incredibly thought provoking in themselves. The fifth week of our opera history course at …
Continue reading A New Operatic Dogma- How Gluck changed the ‘ridiculous and wearisome’
Our world from up here Vast scenes below then hypnotic Sunsets far and wide And warm until memories Like a canal flow gliding Open to us and run free- Alive in the clouds but Below the moon still Glowing black like darkened Emotion pouring to heal And your voice to seal Echoed cries from their …
A reflection in words of the contemporary ballet 'Flight Pattern' choreographed by Crystal Pite Heavily they walk No two men the same But united through rejection Or maybe through the spartan Uniforms they wear Of doubt that hope Exists or may come into Existing only for a past Life not so easily left behind-
Strings are to a musician like ballet shoes are to a dancer. Just as each dancer is very different and requires different size and softness of shoes, every cello is vastly different and requires different strings to compliment the resonance of the instrument. My cello has an especially bright and powerful quality, especially on …
Following a hectic final term at school, my return home last Friday was greeted with the excitement of both the women and men's Wimbledon finals. Throughout the whole of the tournament this year, I couldn't help but compare the lives of tennis players with our lives as musicians, and how tennis may be revealing …
I believe it is now widely accepted, or at least should be, that the soul of great music and a great artist is not solely created in the practice room. We use the practice room as a place to learn how to interpret a composers emotions though our instruments. The practice room is used to …
Continue reading “Play it like something you hear down by the river”
I'm aware my blog has been somewhat neglected for a few weeks so I wanted to post a quick thought whilst travelling back from London today. I've been on the Stop Trident CND march which was awe inspiring! It always excites me to see just how many people are willing to stand up to the …
Continue reading Why do performers find composition difficult?
I have always hated the sound of nothing. I grind my teeth in silences and put music on as soon as I am by myself. I am scared about what might happen if I am left alone with myself. Inside my mind, what might be waiting for me? I think I'd rather avoid it than …
For many years now Edward Elgar has been the main inspiration for my music making and growing passion of music. For those who aren't familiar with Elgar's life story, he was the son of of a piano tuner and lived in Worcester for his early years. He has become the definition of English music and …
I often wander cautiously around art galleries, often in the shadow of sincere tourists with their hands behind their back, face poised in a wonderfully intellectual and pensive expression. I feel inclined to understand the vast collections before me as they seemingly are, and marvel at the sense of x throughout the complexity of y. …
Hattie Butterworth 