Tuesday 27 September 2005

Just back from London rehearsing with Alison for Sunday's concert. On reflection it is a bit strange to travel 450 miles just for a morning rehearsal, but it was very worthwhile. Far better to rehearse a few days before a concert and digest the outcome, rather than do it all at the last minute and not have time to really learn what you've figured out. Not that our rehearsal technique is particularly 'figured out': we just play until it starts to sound like music, say 'hmm', or 'yeah, that's getting there' and move on. It's quite civilised really. Some new (to me) Bononcini and Vivaldi sonatas were rather good fun.

Emerging from St Mary's Walthamstow we bumped in to Simon Jones, who's going to be guest leader in our St John Passion in March. He was rehearsing with the Avison Ensemble in the church this afternoon.

Our Burns gig has changed date again - I'll post the final solution when I know what it is! Meanwhile, some possibilities have been opening up in season 06/07, and the vocal tracks for the Lion CD are ready for mixing tomorrow.

Did I mention that Dick & Dom are back on telly? Going very well after a shaky start. The Sunday programmes are cut to only one hour, but still retain a measure of amiable slackness.