LMP Principal conductor and Artistic Advisor Jonathan Bloxham describes how certain pieces can bring back vivid memories.
This is ahead of A Place in Time: Jess Gillam and LMP, where we’ll be performing a range of folk-inspired music from throughout the ages, from the renaissance with Dowland’s Flow my tears to present day with John Harle’s RANT!
Tonight’s programme features music with different connections to folk music – how has this influenced your interpretation and preparation?
Despite the programme having this underlying influence of folk music I really think of and prepare each piece in its own right. Focussing on their individual qualities, one work at a time, with the aim that from the listener’s perspective the programme will hold altogether. All connected yes, but all unique.
His insights into Russian music will live with me forever - from the approach to the dark but detailed string sound, to a wonderful story about Prokofiev accusing orchestras of being “mezzo-forte-ists” - i.e. not playing dynamics extremely enough!
Do you have any favourite moments in tonight’s programme?
Every time I perform the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings I recall a moment from when I was 17 years old and I had just joined the Yehudi Menuhin School. At that time the great musical genius Mstislav Rostropovich, both cellist and conductor, was the school President and he came to lead the school orchestra in this piece. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was, a young cellist from Gateshead, growing up with his iconic recordings, and now just sitting a few feet away from him playing Tchaikovsky under his baton. His insights into Russian music will live with me forever – from the approach to the dark but detailed string sound, to a wonderful story about Prokofiev accusing orchestras of being “mezzo-forte-ists” – i.e. not playing dynamics extremely enough!
Here are some other bits you might enjoy
A rollercoaster of emotions
Im-peck-able vibes
