http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:49:59 +0000 MyBB http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=507 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:32:29 +0000 Anne R http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=507 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=500 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:17:58 +0000 Eric Renshaw http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=500
Eric]]>
Eric]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=478 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:32:29 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=478
There were about a thousand players of plucked instruments there and I felt the same as Mike Marshall when he said, "I am with my people!" Hearing Mike duetting with Caterina Lichtenberg was one of my highlights, and Oliver Kalberer conducting his "Vishnu" suite. Meeting (and even just standing near in the case of Kalberer, Lichtenberg, Marshall and Aonzo) so many giants of the mandolin world was a thrill for a little fan like myself. Talking with mando friends and acquaintances such as Frances Taylor, Steffi Rauch, Keith Harris and Ali Stephens was no less a thrill, and gives me an opportunity to name-drop!

It was undoubtedly a fantastic experience for me, and one which will take a long time to assimilate. I also got lots of ideas for repertoire for the orchestra, and you will be hearing my proposals in good time.]]>
There were about a thousand players of plucked instruments there and I felt the same as Mike Marshall when he said, "I am with my people!" Hearing Mike duetting with Caterina Lichtenberg was one of my highlights, and Oliver Kalberer conducting his "Vishnu" suite. Meeting (and even just standing near in the case of Kalberer, Lichtenberg, Marshall and Aonzo) so many giants of the mandolin world was a thrill for a little fan like myself. Talking with mando friends and acquaintances such as Frances Taylor, Steffi Rauch, Keith Harris and Ali Stephens was no less a thrill, and gives me an opportunity to name-drop!

It was undoubtedly a fantastic experience for me, and one which will take a long time to assimilate. I also got lots of ideas for repertoire for the orchestra, and you will be hearing my proposals in good time.]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=477 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:19:39 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=477
However, it was a smaller Japanese group called The Electric Chair which was the highlight for me. Their music could be described as minimal, in a very Japanese, very "Zen"-like way. I saw them twice: once on a huge concert stage, and they just stunned the audience. For their first piece, they had four on stage, and two mandolinists playing from the back of the audience. After each piece, they rearranged themselves, some going off stage, others simply changing seats. They didn't use any music, and they wore fantastic costumes. At the end of each composition they were still for up to twenty seconds, letting the last strains of music evaporate, then they relaxed and we knew it was time to applaud.

The second time was at the same open-air stage where I performed, and while it was still them, they just didn't have the same impact. Space was limited, and there was a lot of outside noise (the audience this time didn't wait for them to finish, but applauded as soon as the last note was played) - a passing wedding party, for example, who were blaring their horns: not conducive to performing minimalist, ethereal creations.

They do have a website, but in Japanese:

The Electric Chair

...but a better idea can be got from YouTube, where there are several selections:

youtube.com/watch?v=4JR9PxcT75g

]]>
However, it was a smaller Japanese group called The Electric Chair which was the highlight for me. Their music could be described as minimal, in a very Japanese, very "Zen"-like way. I saw them twice: once on a huge concert stage, and they just stunned the audience. For their first piece, they had four on stage, and two mandolinists playing from the back of the audience. After each piece, they rearranged themselves, some going off stage, others simply changing seats. They didn't use any music, and they wore fantastic costumes. At the end of each composition they were still for up to twenty seconds, letting the last strains of music evaporate, then they relaxed and we knew it was time to applaud.

The second time was at the same open-air stage where I performed, and while it was still them, they just didn't have the same impact. Space was limited, and there was a lot of outside noise (the audience this time didn't wait for them to finish, but applauded as soon as the last note was played) - a passing wedding party, for example, who were blaring their horns: not conducive to performing minimalist, ethereal creations.

They do have a website, but in Japanese:

The Electric Chair

...but a better idea can be got from YouTube, where there are several selections:

youtube.com/watch?v=4JR9PxcT75g

]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=460 Thu, 13 May 2010 11:43:26 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=460 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=457 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:49:47 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=457 Ballad of the Lost Dreams, that's how I introduced it to the orchestra. Then Andrew pointed out that the "Greek Waltz" we played was called Waltz of Lost Dreams and, as Da Capo Alba were now calling the other tune simply "Ballade", I did the same. Now I have found it - it's from a 1969 film called The Heroes, and the piece is called The Ballad of Uri. There is a translation of the lyrics here, and you can hear it sung on YouTube.

I'm happy now, and can relax.]]> Ballad of the Lost Dreams, that's how I introduced it to the orchestra. Then Andrew pointed out that the "Greek Waltz" we played was called Waltz of Lost Dreams and, as Da Capo Alba were now calling the other tune simply "Ballade", I did the same. Now I have found it - it's from a 1969 film called The Heroes, and the piece is called The Ballad of Uri. There is a translation of the lyrics here, and you can hear it sung on YouTube.

I'm happy now, and can relax.]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=449 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:19:55 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=449
Mancini, Moon River
Trad Arr Gatherer, Dainty Davie
Pommerenke-Steel, Two Camels
Mozart/Munier, Don Giovanni Serenata

The last on the list is by far the most challenging, particularly for the first mandolins, who have an awful lot of notes to play. The question is, is it too hard for you? Would any 1st mandolins who are reading this have a look at it and give me your opinion. As I say, there are a lot oif notes, but if you know your arpeggios etc, it's easier. But do tell me what you think...]]>
Mancini, Moon River
Trad Arr Gatherer, Dainty Davie
Pommerenke-Steel, Two Camels
Mozart/Munier, Don Giovanni Serenata

The last on the list is by far the most challenging, particularly for the first mandolins, who have an awful lot of notes to play. The question is, is it too hard for you? Would any 1st mandolins who are reading this have a look at it and give me your opinion. As I say, there are a lot oif notes, but if you know your arpeggios etc, it's easier. But do tell me what you think...]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=444 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:05:58 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=444
Waltz of the Lost Dreams]]>
Waltz of the Lost Dreams]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=438 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:17:25 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=438
Sunny Afternoon]]>
Sunny Afternoon]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=428 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:58:11 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=428
[attachment=63]]]>
[attachment=63]]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=427 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:55:03 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=427
It's no secret that my attitude to the contest was slightly different; in my view we were winners because we went to Birmingham in good numbers, and we played to the best of our abilities. I think it's a good thing to have something to work towards - it focuses us, and encourages us to increase our effort - but I wasn't going to be upset by not winning. I said to a couple of people that if we got somewhere in the middle I'd be very happy. When I was told we had come second in two of the trophies and third in the other, I was gobsmacked; I hadn't been expecting that, and I'm delighted that our hard work paid off.

Well done to everybody involved - we done good!]]>
It's no secret that my attitude to the contest was slightly different; in my view we were winners because we went to Birmingham in good numbers, and we played to the best of our abilities. I think it's a good thing to have something to work towards - it focuses us, and encourages us to increase our effort - but I wasn't going to be upset by not winning. I said to a couple of people that if we got somewhere in the middle I'd be very happy. When I was told we had come second in two of the trophies and third in the other, I was gobsmacked; I hadn't been expecting that, and I'm delighted that our hard work paid off.

Well done to everybody involved - we done good!]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=410 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:07:40 +0000 fraserok http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=410 I'll be thinking of you from 2300 metres up in the Alps, as I eat cheese and drink wine.



Fraser]]> I'll be thinking of you from 2300 metres up in the Alps, as I eat cheese and drink wine.



Fraser]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=381 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:27:56 +0000 Eric Renshaw http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=381 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=376 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:36:30 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=376 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=368 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:15:37 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=368 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=352 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:33:30 +0000 Eric Renshaw http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=352 http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=302 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:56:19 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=302
Preparing the music has been a mammoth task; I have spent over twelve hours on it already, and that's with a good deal of extra help from Eilidh Pennell.]]>
Preparing the music has been a mammoth task; I have spent over twelve hours on it already, and that's with a good deal of extra help from Eilidh Pennell.]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=272 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:56:05 +0000 Martine http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=272
If you would like to see photos and videoclips of the festival, check my photo website here:

http://linlithgowfolkfest2009photos.shutterfly.com/

Please keep in touch with us and come again next year to the festival! As well as the festival weekend, we have sessions in the Black Bitch on the third Sunday of every month (2pm onwards), and in the Auld Hole in the Wall on the first Thursday of every month, and it would be great to see you all there.

Thanks again

Martine (camera and mandolin)]]>
If you would like to see photos and videoclips of the festival, check my photo website here:

http://linlithgowfolkfest2009photos.shutterfly.com/

Please keep in touch with us and come again next year to the festival! As well as the festival weekend, we have sessions in the Black Bitch on the third Sunday of every month (2pm onwards), and in the Auld Hole in the Wall on the first Thursday of every month, and it would be great to see you all there.

Thanks again

Martine (camera and mandolin)]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=261 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:02:37 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=261
After my summer schools, I fell victim to a bout of illness, which set me back two or three weeks. The music group hasn't done anything - probably my fault. I have three classes today, which takes me to 3pm (in Linlithgow). I'll try to put something together this evening.

Two things I have been working on:

Penny Lane by Lennon/McCartney - appropriate in the midst of all the Beatles hoo hah.
Sur Le Fil by Yann Teirsen - on Gareth's recommendation.

Watch this space.]]>
After my summer schools, I fell victim to a bout of illness, which set me back two or three weeks. The music group hasn't done anything - probably my fault. I have three classes today, which takes me to 3pm (in Linlithgow). I'll try to put something together this evening.

Two things I have been working on:

Penny Lane by Lennon/McCartney - appropriate in the midst of all the Beatles hoo hah.
Sur Le Fil by Yann Teirsen - on Gareth's recommendation.

Watch this space.]]> http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=258 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:19:07 +0000 nigelgatherer http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=258