First, may I wish you all a very happy and Omicron-free Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
I had hoped that by Christmas I would have moved downstairs and been able to show you images of our new ‘salon’ but alas, COVID/Brexit supply problems have caught up with my wonderful Bulgarian builders and we are still short of a staircase, a balcony and our bay windows! My new moving date is March – although I am not specifying which end of March.
However, thanks to the lovely Father Robert and the Highgate School Chapel all is not lost as the chapel are happy to host our concerts until – and hopefully beyond – the completion of the salon here in Hampstead Lane.
And – there is another project afoot in Highgate….. Read on….
Highgate School Chapel – dates as yet unconfirmed but in February and March:
Madeleine Mitchell and the London Chamber Ensemble in an exciting programme of Russian music. As the whole Salon Music project was inspired by Madeleine we were very keen that she should ‘open’ our new season in Highgate!
For those also interested in the Fabergé exhibition at the V&A, Madeleine and her group will be playing some of their Russian programme at a gala dinner on January 21st at the V&A – all details here.
Joana Ly and Martin André recital
Joana and Martin ran the very successful Islington Festival in July last year and Joana and her quartet played for us at the Highate Festival in June. Their programme for us in 2022 will include Richard Strauss’ Sonata for Violin and piano, Opus 18 (an amazing piece that I heard them play recently) plus some Robert Kahn, Lily Boulanger – and a little Mozart.
Nicholas Ellis and the Korros Ensemble
The delightful combination of harp, flute and clarinet that is the Korros Ensemble – a programme to tie in with the release of their new album featuring 20th century women composers to be released in March.
And then pencilled – or at least planned – for the spring and summer in our new ‘salon’ in Hampstead Lane…
Soumik Datta – Soumik, my lovely friend the composer, sarod player and broadcaster who gave us two amazing concerts before we left Lawn Road, has promised to come back and play for us in Hampstead Lane.
Dowland Works. We are hoping that we may be able to host the delightful Dowland Works lutanists when our salon is ready.
Balladeste – ‘Indo baroque meets alt-folk minimalism’ Preetha Narayanan (Violin) and Tara Franks (cello), explore the versatility and sound potential of just two string instruments.
And then…….
Highgate Society Sunday lunchtime concerts
A couple of months ago the Highgate Society asked me if I might be able to help to organise some informal Sunday lunchtime concerts (followed by a glass of Bucks Fizz!) in their newly refurbished hall overlooking Pond Square. And I am delighted to say that we already have the first one booked – and the second pencilled. So….
- 20th March 12 noon
Gypsy Jazz with Sol Grimshaw and his group - 22nd May 12 noon
Viennese café music with Joana Ly and Martin André
More details on how to book early in the new year.
Totally random addendum
Knowing that musicians and computer programmers/IT experts share many skills….
I am looking for someone to consult and/or work with on our old FoodsMatter website – a 5,000+ page information resource on everything related to food allergy/intolerance/sensitivity. The issue is that it was created using Dreamweaver, a professional web builders programme that is now quite long in the tooth and that not many people use. While I used to be able to do very simple programming on it which allowed me to at least keep it up to date, the programme has now been upgraded/’enhanced’ which means that I cannot even get into it!
So I am in urgent need of someone who can help me first decide what to do with it – and then help me do it. If there is anyone out there who fills the bill, please get in touch.
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