When the lights went out in concert venues the world over last year, the tech-savvy upped cameras and ‘mics’ and got to work, streaming, filming, broadcasting from their living rooms. I however, sheepishly hung up my mallets, intoning a scarcely credible pride behind my freshly procrastinatory status update of Luddite.
As time wore on however, I realised I couldn’t remain forever behind a fortress of herbal teas, Trollope, and yes, gin-based cocktails over Zoom. Throughout the pandemic, I have had countless friends and colleagues ‘to the rescue’, often without them realising it, and in this instance it was Professor Michael Burritt from the Percussive Arts Society who showed up with an invitation to contribute to their International Convention which was going online that year. Having never been able to attend this event due to my concert schedule, this did seem like the right thing at the right time. I was, however, less sure about his enthusiastic ‘it’ll be easy man, just buy a couple of ‘mics’ and a camera or two’ and I decided quickly to call in a team of professionals, at a time when the guidelines would allow.
The result is one I’m now very happy to share with you - a mini-series of home recital works, recorded during lockdown. The first set is of three solo works - Bryce Dessner, Tansy Davies and Kalevi Aho. I will also follow up with three performances with my quartet - Andy Akiho, Dave Maric and Steve Reich.
These films do not, and cannot replace live music... but as a bridge to returning to the concert platform and as a document of what I was up to (between tea and Trollope) I hope you enjoy them and feel more inclined than ever to come back to see us live, soon.
And bring everyone you’ve ever met with you.
Colin