Cracking pictures from Mark Allan from the Ulster Orchestra #BBCProms concert this evening, including a rare back stage shot featuring Daniele Rustioni and pianist Francesco Piemontesi.

As we all continue to enjoy the BBC Proms let's remember Sir Henry Wood who died on this day 80 years ago in my home town of Hitchin. What a wonderful legacy he left us! His funeral took place in St Mary's Church in the town a week later - seen here

Observations from the periphery. blog.thoroughlygood.me/2024/08/19/uls…

Ouch

Exhibition Road, last Sunday.

Re-reading Syed’s Bounce. Reminded early on of the way we herald innate talent but overlook dedicated practise, and specifically when memorising things, the power inherent in ‘chunking’ complex patterns into memorable ones.

I prefer this style of News reporting.

Congratulations Errollyn Wallen appointed Master of the King’s Music - his first - and categorically the first to live in a lighthouse

There is some music by Sibelius that doesn’t need to be heard. #bbcproms

Oh. Dear. God. *swoons*

Holst's Planets Suite, Lara Poe's Songs from the Countryside and The Wood Nymph from Sibelius. All nature, fairytales and the mysteries of astrology from Royal College of Music and Uniarts Helsinki, with Sakari Oramo and Anu Komsi. blog.thoroughlygood.me/2024/08/26/rev…

"In an age of hyper-virtuosic orchestral homogeneity ..." I'm sorry, what?

Given my rebellious streak it should come as no surprise I motivate myself in the gym with the notion that I am the only one here listening to Josef Suk’s second symphony whilst I workout.

The more #bbcproms concerts I listen to and write about, the more I find the standard of playing is less than I've heard in years gone by. Part of that is the trickery of memory, of course. But I do think accuracy is important at the very least. And often that's lacking.

Two things to celebrate here: first, Imogen Holst; second, Erica Jeal's fabulously taut writing.

Britten’s birthplace on the market for £800K.

Really enjoyed this book. Fascinating reading for any early Blue Peter fan and anyone else fascinated by the early days of Television Centre too.

New Thoroughly Good Podcast out with composer Adrian Sutton introducing his violin concerto ahead of a new recording release featuring Michael Seal, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Fenella Humphreys. lnk.to/NteBxu

Thank God. The queue on a busy to get into the airport on a busy day because of manual scanning is ridiculous.