Don Airey Concert

In a secret location within the Cambridgeshire countryside, a select throng gathered for the annual Don Airey mini rock concert. Every year this well known Deep Purple keyboard player hosts a charity gig near his home, inviting guest stars along to wow the audience with him.

We arrived just after 8 pm to find the place already buzzing with excited guests, some gathered around the aromatic barbeque while others queued to get a drink before the music began. The weather was perfect, warm with a gentle breeze, but the large white marquee over our heads gave a smarter feel to the evening.

After a very convincing support act had finished everyone was ready for a good sing-a-long to some classic rock songs. Joining Airey on stage was Ian Paice, Deep Purple’s supreme drummer, Chris Childs (bassist) and Gary James (drummer) from hard rock band Thunder, a staggeringly talented Bernie Marsden from Whitesnake, and singer Carl Sentance. It was immediately apparent that these musicians ‘still had it’, playing with vigour and zeal excelling on even the most complex solos, and often improvising, but always with unfaltering conviction.

The majority of the set was familiar motown songs: ‘Since you’ve been gone’, ‘Soul Man’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ were my favourites on the night. Between sets Don held a raffle and auction, both of which had amazing musical prizes, I was particularly interested in winning the beautiful Deep Purple bass guitar on offer, so spent every last pound on raffle coupons... sadly it wasn’t to be.

Despite his legendary rockstar status, Don Airey is a down to earth friendly musician who clearly loves nothing more than a good jam on stage, sharing in his passion on this special summer evening was a memory I will never forget.

BOND music with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

The big, bold and beautiful Royal Albert Hall needs something equally epic to fill its great walls: The Proms, Cirque du Soleil, and now The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

This Halloween I was kindly invited to a concert by the RPO for a night of the best of Bond music. With the clocks changing that day, the night was particularly dark and cold, and the Royal Albert Hall felt like a welcoming and warm refuge for the evening. In the car on the way we tried desperately to remember the most famous Bond theme, but couldn’t and instead came up with Mission Impossible and the Pink Panther tunes. We walked in humming these substitute songs deliberately to confuse other audience members. All a bit silly, but it seemed to us a hilarious idea at the time.

We had great seats in the stalls opposite the centre of the stage, just below the royal box, as the woman behind us pointed out. Eventually the players came on stage conducted by the animated Carl Davis, who seemed to enjoy jumping about at the helm. The orchestra played with real gusto, obviously enjoying the change of programme from the usual classical repertoire. Two vocalists: Mary Carewe and Simon Bowman sung the vocal numbers.

I loved the fashion show aspect of the evening. Soloist Mary Carewe must have showcased at least four outfits during the concert! She had a smooth luxurious voice that conquered every song, and plenty of confidence that suited the bravado music. Bond girl Honor Blackman was a stunning presenter for the occasion; in case you don’t remember she was Pussy Galore in the film, Goldfinger. She wore two glittering gowns, gold for the first half, and black for the second, and sat at a small table next to the orchestra, commentating on each of the pieces of the night.

I enjoyed most the songs that I recognised... and there were more than I realised. With such a large orchestra plus all the extra drummers, bass and guitar players the sound was electrifying. ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘Live and Let Die’ were fantastic as well as, of course, the famous theme tune... I had remembered it by the time it was performed!

The Suzuki Stars

Helen Brunner teaching

The Suzuki method has always been a philosophy close to my heart, ever since I started learning violin at three. I did not continue past the age of eight, and it has been one of my biggest regrets. Now I can fully enjoy and appreciate the talent of young children who play their instruments with the love and instinct as Suzuki encourages. My 13 year old sister began learning Suzuki violin ten years ago, and I can honestly say is one of the most wonderful musicians now, she is a true inspiration to me.

I recently went to see a lovely concert in Notting Hill of young Suzuki violinists. They are the ‘London Gold Group’, a team of players taught by the amazing Helen Brunner, a woman who needs little introduction in the world of Suzuki. She introduced the method to the UK. Later this year the Gold Group go on tour and this concert was fundraising for that cause.

With delicious canapes and wine from Sally Clarke of Clarkes the evening got off to a great start. The programme was made up of solo and ensemble pieces by a variety of well known composers: Bach, Vivaldi, Elgar and Kreisler, amongst others. It never ceases to amaze me how children so young can just stride up onto the stage and play their hearts out, with no sheet music to rely on, and seemingly no nerves either. I particularly loved the solo performances by Marnie Breadin and Gabriel Rumney who both really captivated the audience. I also enjoyed the ensemble pieces, led by the enthusiastic smiling Helen on one side of the stage, these group moments bought the venue, St Peter’s Church, to life.

All Helen’s pupils clamboured up onstage for the finale – a medley of the simpler Suzuki pieces: Allegro, Go tell Aunt Rhody, Lightly Row, and of course Twinkle. As the audience left the church we were invited to donate to the envelopes hung by ribbons above the entrance: each one had a different expense on the front (eg. Fare for Ferry travel, music folders), a lovely personalised idea I thought.