Mariaaaaaa and I headed to the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park on Friday. I'm sure lots of people have been along but it was my first time and wish I'd been told about how wonderlandful it was and been along before. The trees and the lights, the night air and the ferris wheel, the Belgian fries and Lemon Crepes... sehr gemuchtlich (or however you spell the word 'cosy' auf Deutsch.)
We walked from Knightsbridge through the park and Wonderland and up Piccadilly, trying to use the powder rooms of the Ritz but reconvening at Fortnum's and then to meet Carson and Cammie at Chantage's beautiful concert at St James' Piccadilly, invited by Lucy Britton.The pianissimo's were just ravishing! Well done Lulu and all of you. Really some of the most beautiful choral singing I've ever heard. What a pivilege for us audience.
Carson, Mariaaaaaa and I tried to find repast and repose in Waterstones 5th Floor but sadly just caught the view and not last orders or the time to savour either. One to keep for the future though. The little pub round the corner saw us neck a tomatofruit juice and head home on the buses.
Saturday: well, despite thick cold in head and usual singers excuses, was quite pleased with how it went. Two videos are on youtube, one of which is linked to the blog. Baird was pleased. Jane and Jane and Julia and Father M plus Delores and Rosemary and Sarah came to support, and also Cammie who I'd invited the previous eve. Bless you all for coming along!
The B minor Mass in the choruses sounded fantastic, although it was hard to hear the other Basses apart from David Montagu.Very nice being nested near 2nd Sops and Tenors with Altos within easy hearing. Sensed the inner parts of the music much more than ever previously.
Julmax and I headed for refreshments (thanks J) past the encampment outside St Paul's. Gosh! A bit like Greenbelt really except with more buildings. It was cold. Really cold. They had their tents up on fork lift truck crates, you know, the sort of warehouse crates that you see stuff on. There didn't seem to be an endorsement from a crate company...
"Eazeecrate... official suppliers of Occupy London: serving the alternative lifestyle since 2011"
Is that irreverent? Maybe so; I sense those souls in the cold with the didgereedoo's and candles and dred -locks are beautiful in a way. Certainly more beautiful than selfish greed... however it manifests itself. After typing that, I had a hunt for a quote, vaguely remembered from George MacDonald - something about how those who are poor may also be slaves to the desire for money. Can't find it for the mo.
'Whoever loves money, never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.' Ecclesiastes 5:10
Sunday morning was beautifully restful as Barnarnaby had cancelled and a lot of gentle pottering and clearing up got done. Mum arrived about an hour before Uncle M and Aunty B, flown in from the States via two days in Rekjavyk. -15 degrees apparently. They're sitting here flicking TV channels as I type. Very good to have them here and it seems like only yesterday since they were here before - 4 years ago.
Stuart and Mary Reed invited me to play for their Christmas party down in Balham on Sunday, which was great fun and the piano playing seemed to go down well. Have you ever read the lyrics of Frosty the Snowman? Now resist the urge.
Afterwards, nice to see Simon Nelson in the band of Holy Trinity Clapham Common. Also, what another lovely chap was the Prison Chaplain from H.M.P.Wandsworth.
No Aviary this morning, but spirulina and cookies at Bullet Bang and Lesley from Puppet Planet plus Aviary this afters. Rare treats all round.
This has been a bit of a News cast round up, and my apologies for the lists of stuff as opposed to any reflection or insight. It was a wonderful weekend though and my thanks to all the 'idiosyncraticness' of everyone involved. The Computer says 'no' to how I have spelt that word. Who should I blame?
TV is talking about 'moral critique of Capitalism' and the Occupy movement. The Chinese blessing: 'may you live in interesting times' seems a bit strong in the light of the past 12 months.
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