Guest Reviewer: Romeo and Juliet - pure magic!

Liz Richards has sent in this enthusiastic review of the Live Screening of Romeo and Juliet on 22nd September:

Kenneth Macmillan's production of Romeo and Juliet, screened live from Covent Garden, was unforgettable - it was pure magic.
The screening was presented by Darcy Bussell, whose comments and interviews gave a grounded insight into all the hard work and dedication required for the performance.
The drama was wonderfully portrayed; the chemistry between Romeo (Steven McRae) and Juliet (Sarah Lamb) was palpable, and Tybalt (Gary Davis) must also have a special mention.
For those people who don't go to the ballet because they regard it as 'sissy' - sorry guys, you missed some fantastic sword fights along the way!
It would be easy to rant on about it - but it was a truly fantastic production with wonderful performances by the company - very moving, engaging and emotional.
The ballet celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, and as Steven McRae commented in his interview with Darcy Bussell - Romeo and Juliet, with its music by Prokofiev, will be around in another 50 years.

More please!

Interview: Cordelia Williams talks about her music and her performances around the world

I gather that you have recently got married - congratulations! Did you have a wonderful day?
CW: Yes, it was absolutely lovely, thank you! We had a really happy time. The music was a particular highlight: during the service in Salisbury Cathedral we had a choir (made up of friends) with organ, and music by Finzi, Bruckner, and Messiaen. And at the party in the evening we had a live ten-piece swing band! Music was always our main priority...

You have chosen to play pieces by Mozart, Chopin, Grieg and Schumann at the Flavel. Tell me about your choices - are there any particular reasons for performing them at the Flavel?
CW: I discovered the Grieg pieces last winter - I found a book on my shelf of music, which I'd never opened, played through them and fell in love with them. They are so charming, fresh and witty; I don't know why they're not played more often. And I've just recorded the Schumann so it's nice to perform them after such concentrated work and preparation.

You have performed all over the world. Did any particular venue surprise you or stand out? Do you have any behind-the scenes stories?
CW: Well, I always love performing in the south of France, because the scenery is so beautiful and inspiring. Performing with the ECO in Mexico City's Palacio des Belles Artes was also fantastic - the stage 'curtain' was made by Tiffany's from nearly a million pieces of coloured glass. My recital in Beijing Concert Hall was quite an experience, partly because it was my first trip to China and I had food poisoning! Miraculously, my body knew when I had to perform and stopped being sick just for that one evening. And when I played in Kenya once, the piano had suffered from the heat and a crucial note had stuck. I had to transpose one of the movements to avoid the note!

You give recitals, perform with large orchestras, chamber orchestras and quartets. Do you have a preference for a particular type of performance?
CW: I couldn't choose - they all give me something different. Recitals are the most intense experiences for me, since I'm on my own and so deeply immersed in my own interpretation. But chamber music and concerto work are exciting and refreshing because they are collaborative - there's a certain sense that anything could happen on the night.

I see that you are interested in religions and faith. How is that integrated with your music?
CW: Generally, I feel that the search for the sublime, and for understanding of life, is central to both religions and music. But this year I've also been working on a project which has specifically brought together my interests in music and theology. 'Between Heaven and the Clouds: Messiaen 2015' is an exploration of Messiaen's piano masterpiece 'Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus', in particular how the music originates in his strong Catholic faith. I've commissioned art and poetry responding to the theological ideas within the music and discussed Messiaen with some people who share his faith and others who don't. It's been fascinating.

You are interested in the Late Classical and Early Romantic periods of music - what is their particular appeal?
CW: Often in music of this period, there is a sense that the composer is still bound by Classical ideas of form, structure and style, but there is something more Romantic and uncontrollable bubbling beneath the surface. For me, this 'frontier', or meeting point, is wonderful to explore.

Cordelia is performing on Saturday 26th September. 
For more information and to book tickets click here: http://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/WhatsOn?Programme=2333970

Interview with artist Susi Nightingale whose exhibition 'Loose Women' is now showing

This is your first exhibition at the Flavel. Have you exhibited in other local venues?
SN: I have had quite a few exhibitions in the past - in Totnes, Exeter, Bristol, Stoke Fleming, Blackawton and Copenhagen - but not for a few years.

Your work focuses on women and children. What is your fascination with this relationship?
SN: Yes it does - though this exhibition is called 'Loose Women', and I have enjoyed playing around with the concept of loose women and a relatively unfussy painting style. When you strip people of clothing and decoration, we are all the same construction underneath.
I am as interested in the end product as I am in the process of developing art to keep yourself sane.
I feel that we all have a strong connection to art as children, and it is important to keep this connection as you get older - keep your ability to play, enjoy and live in the here and now.

Is working in oil on canvas your preferred medium?
SN: At the moment it is, along with pen and ink and water colours. I like the permanence of oils, and the way you can work with colour for days before they set.
I do like experimenting with different media and have done etchings, lino cuts, batik painting, ceramic work and ink and water colours too.

How do you start with an idea for a painting? Do you sketch first, for example?
SN: I start in lots of different ways: I love life drawing, sketching from real life and then manipulating the image to fit your idea. I might also have an idea in a dream, a concept I wish to get across or equally let a piece of artwork develop in its own way.

You live and work in Devon; how did you come to settle here from Denmark?
SG: Well...I fell in love with an Englishman. We met in Copenhagen and lived there for a while, and then decided to move to Devon. Luckily, I fell in love with his country along the way...

Are you working on any exciting new projects?
SN: I have been working towards this exhibition up to today, so I am quite excited about it.
I am planning to do some more indigo batik work in the next year, and would also like to experiment with making marks on metal. I like the actual plates that you do etchings on, and might experiment with this.

Who inspires you?
SN: I am inspired by the work of Banksy reflecting on our present day society.
Also Anne Mortimer's connection with the natural wild life around her, and Grayson Perry's genius.

Review: Electric Eric! - 'Slowhand at 70'

Last night I went to see the amazing Eric Clapton in a film of his 70th birthday concert at the Albert Hall - 'Slowhand at 70'. The film also marks his 50 years at the top of of the music business.

There he was on stage with a great line up of talented musicians (Paul Carrack, Andy Fair-weather Lowe, Chris Stainton) and backing singers, looking pretty good for 70 - and playing with just as much dexterity as I remember.
There were quite a few older numbers in the set, which got feet tapping - numbers like 'Crossroads' 'I Shot the Sheriff', 'Cocaine' and 'Layla'.
There was a real buzz as everyone came out of the auditorium, but don't just take my word for it - here are some of the comments people made:

"It was fab."  "Wonderful guitar playing - he hasn't lost it."  "His voice is still very strong."  "I really wanted to get up and dance."  "I wasn't keen on the reggae version of 'Tears in Heaven' - I much preferred the original version - but everything else was brilliant!"  "Wasn't that fantastic?"

Well, this concert sold out within two weeks - so if you are a music fan, a couple of other concerts are coming up soon:

The Who in Hyde Park on 14th October 

The rock band celebrates 50 years of classic songs performed live in Hyde Park to an audience of 70,000 fans. Filmed on June 26th 2105.

For more information and to book tickets click here: http://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/WhatsOn?Programme=2511200

Ed Sheeran's 'Jumpers for Goalposts' concert at Wembley Stadium. 
Showing on 24th October 

Ed Sheeran performs at Wembley Stadium to a crowd of 80,000.This special cinema event will be beamed via satellite from London's world premiere in Leicester Square. The film will look at the concerts and the build-up beforehand, with lots of behind-the-scenes action. 

For more information and to book tickets click here: http://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/WhatsOn?Programme=2531267

Interview: Michael Gray Talking About Bob Dylan

The Flavel is delighted to welcome Michael Gray on 19th September, when he will be presenting 'Bob Dylan & The History of Rock'n'Roll', which is more a one-man show than a talk.

Read the interview with Michael below:

You began writing about Bob Dylan in the late 60s, and then 'Song and Dance Man' was published in 1972 - what attracted you to him originally?
MG: The fact that he sounded like no-one else on earth and sounded different with every record he made.

You are an authority on Dylan's work - how have you seen his music progress over the years?
MG: He'd already 'gone electric' by the time I came across his work - in fact he went electric 50 years ago this year - but since then I've witnessed his exploration of every form of American Popular music, from Country to Black Gospel.

Did you ever meet Bob Dylan? If so, what were your impressions of him?
MG: Yes - I met him in1978, because he sent a message asking me to 'come backstage and say hello' at one of his Earl's Court (London) Concerts, so I did, and I took my nine-year old son with me, and Bob was very nice to him and smoked two of my cigarettes. Sometimes when I perform I tell the whole story, and it's a good one, but very rarely: it has to be an especially warm, responsive crowd.

I hear some people say that they like Dylan's lyrics but prefer other artists singing his songs. What would you say to them?
MG: Get real!

What kind of legacy do you think Dylan will leave the world of music?
MG: Actually Mitch Benn put it very well recently on Radio 4; he said that people say Elvis changed the world, and that the Beatles changed the world, but really Bob Dylan did: he changed what a rock star can be, and more importantly he changed what songs can be and what singing can be - and changed all that for the better.

After a busy day, which artists do you listen to for relaxation? Any particular tracks?
MG: You mean apart from Bob Dylan? Well, I love a lot of old Blues artists - Blind Willie McTell, Memphis Minnie, Blind Willie Johnson, Garfield Akers - and then I like Van Morrison's early stuff, some Neil Young, some classic Rock'n'Rollers and half-forgotten R&B artists like Clarence Frogman Henry, and I absolutely love newer artists like Teitur, Mary Gauthier, Alabama Shakes, Gone Dead Train and Morning Jacket. But I like a bit of Romantic Classical music too - Brahms,Fauré, Bruch...

What do you enjoy most about living in France?
MG: The climate - not just the temperature but the level of light - and the lovely empty roads, at least in the region I live in, which is the South West.

Do you have further writing connected to music in the pipeline?
MG: Well actually I'm trying to find a publisher for a book I've finished writing recently, but it isn't music: it's a travel memoir. And I'm proud of my last book, which was a mix of music and travel: 'Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell' - and that's still in print!

For more information and to buy tickets click here: http://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/WhatsOn?Programme=2293134

Guest Reviewer: Pixels

Welcome to our young reviewer, Eliot Ely age 10! He has sent in this great review of the film, Pixels.

"Yesterday, I went to see Pixels with my school friends. We all enjoyed it!

It was about old video games invading earth and nerds saving the day. My favourite character was Toru Iwatani, the creator of the original Pack-Man. The real Toru Iwatani also has a small part in the film which was really cool.!

I enjoyed it because it was funny and exciting. The experience was even more exciting due to the fact that the Flavel has an amazing sound system!"

To find out more and to book tickets click here: http://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/WhatsOn?Programme=2457410 

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