Tags
Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Brian Patten, Halesworth, Halesworth Arts Festival, music, Neil Innes, Poetry
Richard and I hardly ever go out in the evening but this week we managed to go out twice! At the end of October each year the Halesworth Arts Festival takes place in The Cut, an old maltings that has been converted into an entertainment venue. The Cut takes its name from the lane it is in – New Cut – which refers to new cuts made to the river when a lock was built in the 18th century and the River Blyth was made navigable from Southwold on the coast to Halesworth.
Last Sunday night we went to listen to a poetry reading by Brian Patten who made his name in the 60’s with the publication of the ‘Mersey Sound‘ anthology. (The other two poets featured in this anthology were Adrian Henri and Roger McGough). We enjoyed the evening very much. Patten not only read many of his favourite poems but spoke about why and when he wrote them. When I was in my very early 20’s and living in Liverpool I went to hear Roger McGough at a ‘Pubs and Pints’ event. A nice re-connection, I thought.
We discovered Brian Patten had known and read with many other famous poets apart from Henri and McGough; Robert Graves, Philip Larkin, Stevie Smith, Pablo Neruda, Allen Ginsberg, Laurie Lee and Robert Lowell. He had shared a house with Brian Eno and had been friends with among many others, Keith Moon and Neil Innes. Neil Innes was in the audience and joined him in a few reminiscenses.
Neil Innes? He is the minstrel in this clip.
He is the singer here
My father who was a cabinet maker, once did some work for Neil Innes in the 70’s when Innes was living in Lewisham. My father had no idea who Innes was and felt sorry for him and so undercharged for the work. ‘His jeans were split at the knees and he was obviously short of money’ said Dad. I think we were the ones who were short of money – always. My mother explained who Dad had worked for.
The other performance Richard and I attended was a concert by the ‘Aquarelle Guitar Quartet’. I don’t think I could describe them better than the blurb in the programme so please click on the link to read it and see the programme of music they played. There is also a recording of them playing.
The programme included classical – old and modern, jazz, folk and film music. I loved ‘Opals’ by Philip Houghton who is Australian and uses the Australian landscape as inspiration. ‘Folia’ by the American composer Ian Krouse was amazing.
The four young men, who had met when they were at the Royal Northern College of Music, were charming, amusing and very talented and I would urge you to see them in concert if they play anywhere near where you live.
Thanks for visiting!
New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
Your father sounds much like mine, who quite literally gave away much of his hard earned money to our neighbors. He felt sorry for them, even though they had far more than we did.
Retirement seems to be agreeing with your husband, or at least giving him more free time. It’s nice to have life slow down a little!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Allen. Yes you are right on both counts. My father was generous but he also had no idea of the value of money. he would spend it as soon as he got it, he would give it away and he would lose it. He was only brought up short and became depressed when he was presented with a bill he couldn’t pay.
Richard is starting to appreciate his retirement. He has got so many jobs done in the garden this autumn! He is helping me with the driving of our daughter and all sorts of other chores! He has also bought tickets for two more theatre trips 🙂
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
Well, at least our fathers taught us charity.
I’m glad that you have more time to just do nothing if the mood strikes you!
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes, they did Allen – my father always saw the good in everyone.
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tootlepedal said:
That guitar group certainly looks like one to keep an eye out for.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Tom. Yes , they were very entertaining.
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Oh, it sounds like you and Richard had great fun. A night out that includes music is always a good night. Two nights out…I’ve got to work on one night, Clare. 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jill! Yes we have had a very busy and enjoyable week – but so tiring! The last time I went out for the evening to the theatre was last October so we don’t do it very often!
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colorpencil2014 said:
ah nothing as good as pleasant night out especially when life music is involved. Mr. walker and I enjoy such very much as well! ahve a lovely Sunday! xo Johanna
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Johanna! We have had a very pleasant day and I hope you have too. Clare xx
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Jane said:
I’m glad you were able to have a couple of lovely evenings out. I also had to smile at the story about your father undercharging that fellow! It’s actually surprising how many well off people don’t look rich…perhaps that is the key…dress poorly so you don’t get overcharged. 😉
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clarepooley33 said:
Thanks Jane! That is probably the answer! My father was a very simple soul and never really understood anybody and never was able to manage money! A very dear man but so exasperating at times and very difficult to live with!
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Jane said:
I can imagine that would have made life challenging for your family, Clare. x
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Tashmina Artists said:
Hi – delighted to come across this blog Clare, and I will pass on to the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet ( Mike, Vasilis, James and Rory) how much you enjoyed their concert! They will be very pleased!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much! I bought one of their cds at the concert and have been going through all the youtube videos too!
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Julie said:
Both events sounded like great fun Clare, we haven’t been to a concert of any sort for a very long time, never mind two in one week! Lucky you! I enjoyed your links too.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thanks Julie! It was a little excessive I must admit! Though we have done this before and I’m due to do it again. The last time I went out for the evening was to the theatre last October when Mum, Elinor and I went to see Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts I & II on two nights in succession. In November I’m going to the opera with Mum in the same week that I’m seeing a play with Richard!
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womanseyeview said:
Sounds like a couple of lovely, and diverse, evenings out – what fun. You make the poetry readings and your connections throught the ages sound very intimate and personal. Sweet story about your generous father.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you! We did have a fun week! We were exhausted at the end of it though! My father was a generous and kind man – but often forgot that we might need a little money at home! He believed that God will provide – and God did, through my mother’s foresight and management skills!
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quietsolopursuits said:
Sorry for the delay in commenting, but a week of nearly no Internet prevented me from doing so. I’m happy for you that you were able to spend a couple of enjoyable evenings outside your home, and I enjoyed the videos a great deal once I was able to get them to play.
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clarepooley33 said:
No apology needed Jerry. I hope you have resolved your Internet problem now. We hardly ever go out and then have two outings in the same week!
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Lavinia Ross said:
Sounds like a couple of wonderful evenings!
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes, they were fantastic! Thank-you Lavinia.
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greytabby1 said:
Hi Clare! So sorry it has taken me a while to catch up. How lovely to spend a couple of evenings out. Sometimes life just gets so busy that you almost have to schedule time just to be normal!! They sounded wonderful though and I loved the videos.
Kate
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kate! No need for any apologies. The evenings out were great fun and made such change from falling asleep on the sofa! I’m glad you liked the videos!
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Charlotte Hoather said:
Did they talk throughout their recital Clare? About the songs or generally about themselves and why they chose their program I’m always intrigued how artists present their programs.
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clarepooley33 said:
They started the recital without any introduction and played their first piece. From then on they all took it in turns to introduce the next piece, explaining why they chose it and spoke about the composer too. They did a lot of their own arrangements or contacted arrangers/composers who they thought might be able to provide them with suitable music. This they told us about as well. They were very relaxed and joked amongst themselves at times. It made the recital seem very intimate and as though we were among friends. I am sure it was all carefully thought through but there was no strict script.
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Charlotte Hoather said:
Very interesting. I like to start singing then talk a bit, Russell likes me to introduce between each song and say a few words at the microphone and in competition I get to run through three to four songs without talking and introduce the program at the start. When you’re nervous though sometimes the words get jumbled.
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes I can understand that – especially in a competition!
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