Monday 26 November 2007

Greenfinches are fighting over peanuts, and fieldfares are calmly eating out fallen and not-yet-fallen apples in the garden.

The study is even tidier than usual today after the Avison Ensemble rang last night to ask if they could borrow my harpsichord for a recording this week. So Jo Green and I packed it into her car this morning and off it went to Newcastle. That should get it warmed up nicely in time for next week's tour with Mhairi and Alison. Whether I'm warmed up nicely is another matter of course.

Over the weekend I compiled a CD of stuff that I've recorded over the last year.  Normally I would use it to produce some sort of professionally-hopeful demo, but this time, given the expectations of the public these days to get their music for free, it's more of a Christmas present to give away.  It's also a good way for me to draw a line under recent recording activity, and concentrate on playing for the next three weeks.

I've just taken Susie to her first ABRSM piano exam, which seemed to go well. I'm not sure what my attitude to these exams is (or which of us was the more nervous). To be honest, my attitude is probably dependant on the results, but I was never any good at examinable musical skills until I got to university.  I even failed my LTCL performer's diploma - I don't think it's lost me any work.