STOP PRESS
Ticket sales for the RTO's New York concert have passed the 450 mark - with 97 shopping days still to go before the April 1 curtain up! That leaves just 1050 seats to sell, which means we look like heading towards a full house (in keeping with RTO custom). The Chairman, whose blood pressure drops by the day, welcomed the latest figures but refused to let them go to his head. 'We have much work to do, not least in the preparation of our musicians for this auspicious occasion. I would urge all players to practise over the festive period unless, of course, they are guests in someone else's home or have people staying with them.'
The success of the RTO in conquering the American market* continues to inspire tribute bands, and it was felt that some kind of umbrella organisation should be set up - a sort of international network of musical nonentities.
To this end, the Chairman has already devoted much time and now is delighted to announce the formation of a League of Terrible Orchestras (LOTO), the inaugural meeting of which will be held on March 31st in New York**.
The possibilities for cultural exchanges, individual and whole section swaps, sharing of best practice (for those who do), and perhaps even an open season on visiting soloists, are infinite. 'These are exciting times indeed,' said the RTO's Chairman. 'With the combination of our extraordinary talents, imagine the contribution we could make to the world of classical music.'
Merry Christmas!
* To be confirmed
**To be confirmed
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Thursday 18 December 2008
The Triumph of (Sir) Richard
Christmas Oratorio - Ludus Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Soloists and Chorus directed by Richard Neville Towle at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh 16 December 2008
Every now and again as a reward for good behaviour our esteemed conductor, Sir Richard, is let out on day release for work experience with real professionals. His presentation of J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is becoming a ‘don’t miss’ event on the Edinburgh social calendar and unofficially marks the start of the festive season. This performance of parts 1 - 6 - with a suitably lengthy interval so large amounts of wine and food can be quaffed - was once again a triumph. New tenor on the block Ed Lyon which his creme caramel voice was an enlightened evangelist, Michael Chance’s sublime countertenor lines floated above the orchestra whilst the duets between soprano Sopie Daneman and bass Giles Underwood were just one of many highlights.
Sir Richard was in ebullient form, clearly relishing the eye contact from the members of the orchestra - something that never happens with the RTO - and thrilled that they not only played the right music in tune, but also came in on the beat. The valveless trumpets - or valueless as a misspelling in one review claims - were a lesson to our own trumpet section in how to razzle and dazzle, although sadly none of said section were to be spotted in the audience.
However, other members were out in full force. Chairman and really terrible clarinetist Peter Stevenson shook his head at the interval declaring he’d now heard the Christmas Oratorio four times and that alas he still ‘didn’t get it.’ Hugh Hillyard-Parker threw aside his oboe to open his lungs as a member of the chorus who sang lustily and were generally declared to be the best chorus yet. Our resident German, Felicitas Macfie was perplexed by the translation which she said completely failed to transmit the sheer joy of the original - a text she knows well, reciting it, as one does, before every Christmas meal. Speaking of which, this was truly a feast for the ears, not something one should expect in New York, although potential audience members will be relieved to note the RTO will not be singing - that we leave to the audience, so sharpen up your vocal chords now!
- Miss Chardonnay
Every now and again as a reward for good behaviour our esteemed conductor, Sir Richard, is let out on day release for work experience with real professionals. His presentation of J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is becoming a ‘don’t miss’ event on the Edinburgh social calendar and unofficially marks the start of the festive season. This performance of parts 1 - 6 - with a suitably lengthy interval so large amounts of wine and food can be quaffed - was once again a triumph. New tenor on the block Ed Lyon which his creme caramel voice was an enlightened evangelist, Michael Chance’s sublime countertenor lines floated above the orchestra whilst the duets between soprano Sopie Daneman and bass Giles Underwood were just one of many highlights.
Sir Richard was in ebullient form, clearly relishing the eye contact from the members of the orchestra - something that never happens with the RTO - and thrilled that they not only played the right music in tune, but also came in on the beat. The valveless trumpets - or valueless as a misspelling in one review claims - were a lesson to our own trumpet section in how to razzle and dazzle, although sadly none of said section were to be spotted in the audience.
However, other members were out in full force. Chairman and really terrible clarinetist Peter Stevenson shook his head at the interval declaring he’d now heard the Christmas Oratorio four times and that alas he still ‘didn’t get it.’ Hugh Hillyard-Parker threw aside his oboe to open his lungs as a member of the chorus who sang lustily and were generally declared to be the best chorus yet. Our resident German, Felicitas Macfie was perplexed by the translation which she said completely failed to transmit the sheer joy of the original - a text she knows well, reciting it, as one does, before every Christmas meal. Speaking of which, this was truly a feast for the ears, not something one should expect in New York, although potential audience members will be relieved to note the RTO will not be singing - that we leave to the audience, so sharpen up your vocal chords now!
- Miss Chardonnay
RTO gift ideas
Gift ideas
It's not too late to give your loved ones a Really Terrible Christmas Present...but be quick! There are still a few tickets left (about 1,100 at the last count*) to the RTO's historic New York concert next spring. What better way to convey your true feelings to family and friends in the festive period than by buying them a seat - or a row (go on, why not?) - for the NY Town Hall event? Imagine the looks on their faces! If you're really generous you could pop in the flights, too - but we'll leave that up to you. Remember, this is the last Christmas before the big night - April 1, 2009 - and therefore your last chance to take up this extraordinary offer. There will be a prize for the person who gives the most Really Terrible Christmas Presents (but there will be no refunds for recipients of more than one RTCP).
This scheme not only solves the problem of gift sourcing, it is also environmentally sound. There are no air miles involved in the purchase of an RTCP (though these will be incurred at a later stage, of course), no unnecessary packaging and very little emissions.
RTO chairman Peter Stevenson, announcing the deal, said: 'A Really Terrible Present is not just for Christmas, it is for life. We promise you will be disappointed.'
For advice on how to buy, see the RTO New York flyer on this website.
* More than 400 tickets have already been sold - with 103 days to go! Check this site for the latest update on Christmas Eve.
It's not too late to give your loved ones a Really Terrible Christmas Present...but be quick! There are still a few tickets left (about 1,100 at the last count*) to the RTO's historic New York concert next spring. What better way to convey your true feelings to family and friends in the festive period than by buying them a seat - or a row (go on, why not?) - for the NY Town Hall event? Imagine the looks on their faces! If you're really generous you could pop in the flights, too - but we'll leave that up to you. Remember, this is the last Christmas before the big night - April 1, 2009 - and therefore your last chance to take up this extraordinary offer. There will be a prize for the person who gives the most Really Terrible Christmas Presents (but there will be no refunds for recipients of more than one RTCP).
This scheme not only solves the problem of gift sourcing, it is also environmentally sound. There are no air miles involved in the purchase of an RTCP (though these will be incurred at a later stage, of course), no unnecessary packaging and very little emissions.
RTO chairman Peter Stevenson, announcing the deal, said: 'A Really Terrible Present is not just for Christmas, it is for life. We promise you will be disappointed.'
For advice on how to buy, see the RTO New York flyer on this website.
* More than 400 tickets have already been sold - with 103 days to go! Check this site for the latest update on Christmas Eve.
Monday 15 December 2008
The RTO Christmas Party
Although not strictly a sell-out (since there were no tickets to sell) we had a bumper crowd for this least formal of RTO events on December 6th. The musical director decided to restrict the orchestra to a modest programme, including Entry of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, Prokoviev’s Troika and not much else, thus throwing the floor open to individual and small group efforts. Our founder, Alexander McCall Smith, didn’t quite steal the show with his brass ensemble, but his sousaphone got a big hand, especially from those helping to release the famous author from the instrument later on.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly the oboe section’s rendition of a well known but difficult to identify tune - look out for this talented lot next April! Also stunning was German violinist Felicitas Macfie who treated the hushed auditorium to a Schubert piano duet with game RTO accompanist Margaret Anderson. There was relief all round when mother of six Felicitas announced she would be returning to her first love in New York – and her violin!
It was generally agreed that the controversial introduction of a klaxon bell to cut short the truly cacophonous had been a huge success on the night and saved many from further embarrassment (see ‘string trio 2007’ in player biogs).
The RTO’s final concert before the world tour will be a dress rehearsal on March 25th at our Edinburgh home, St George’s School for Girls. All welcome.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly the oboe section’s rendition of a well known but difficult to identify tune - look out for this talented lot next April! Also stunning was German violinist Felicitas Macfie who treated the hushed auditorium to a Schubert piano duet with game RTO accompanist Margaret Anderson. There was relief all round when mother of six Felicitas announced she would be returning to her first love in New York – and her violin!
It was generally agreed that the controversial introduction of a klaxon bell to cut short the truly cacophonous had been a huge success on the night and saved many from further embarrassment (see ‘string trio 2007’ in player biogs).
The RTO’s final concert before the world tour will be a dress rehearsal on March 25th at our Edinburgh home, St George’s School for Girls. All welcome.
New York Update
More than 350 tickets have already been sold for our
Watch this space for future updates.
*RTO Chairman Peter Stevenson would like to point out that he is not relaxed and urges far flung friends of the orchestra who are planning to attend the NY Town Hall concert but have not yet purchased their tickets to do so as promptly as possible, both to avoid disappointment and to make his festive season less anxious.
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