Tag: Edward Elgar

CSFI 21st Anniversary Reception, Nouriel Roubini Speech and City of London Sinfonia Recital, Old Library Guildhall, 11 November 2014

A very unusual and pleasant evening in the City, at the Old Library, Guildhall.

The Old Library and Print Room, Guildhall, London (1)

It was the Centre For The Study Of Financial Innovation (CSFI)‘s 21st birthday party.

We were treated to a drinks reception, a talk by New York economist Nouriel Roubini who had many interesting insights into the post 2008 crisis world.

Then a delightful recital performed by the City Of London Sinfonia with Dame Felicity Lott. Writing this up more than three years later (February 2018), I nevertheless can report on all the pieces we heard…

…because my memory is so superb…

…especially when supported by some scribbled notes on my programme:

  • Elgar – Serenade For Strings;
  • R Strauss – Morgen!;
  • Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending;
  • Schubert – The Shepherd On The Rock.

No video from the actual evening, of course, but below is a short video of the City of London Sinfonia performing something else (a charming Mozart presto) somewhere else…

…and here is a live performance of Felicity Lott (with a different lot in a different grand setting) performing Strauss’s Morgen! which will give you a reasonable idea of the sounds we actually heard:

Thanks CSFI – a truly memorable evening.

National Youth Orchestra Of Great Britain, BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, 4 August 2000

Pauline, The Duchess of Castlebar, was partial to a youth orchestra concert at the Proms. We always used to book at least one of those for her per season.

This one also had a fair smattering of her favourite type of English composers (Elgar, Walton) plus some family favourites. The royal theme to the first half of the concert was because that very day was The Queen Mother’s 100th birthday.

  • Unknown – National Anthem (arr. William Walton)
  • William Walton – Coronation March ‘Crown Imperial’
  • George Frideric Handel – Music for the Royal Fireworks
  • Edward Elgar – Overture ‘Cockaigne (In London Town)’
  • Hector Berlioz – Symphonie fantastique

Roger Norrington conducting the youngsters – what’s not to like? Here’s a link to the BBC stub for this one.

Tim Ashley in the Guardian was very much taken with this concert:

Norrington Ashley Guardian

Article from 8 Aug 2000 The Guardian (London, Greater London, England)

Matthew Rye in The Telegraph was less sure about the large-scale baroque, but was otherwise seemingly very pleased with the concert:

Norrington Rye Telegraph

Article from 7 Aug 2000 The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England)

After the concert, we went to a new restaurant in Ealing named Parade, which Janie and I had wanted to try. I don’t think Pauline was as keen on this idea – I have a scribbled note in my diary “Pauline will try”. I think she preferred familiar food and guaranteed fawning waiters by that stage of her life.

I’ve even managed to find a contemporary (2000) review of Parade in the Standard – click here.