h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So did he sing counter-tenor part on the closing music for Blackadder 2 as well as for Blackadder 1? (I'm guessing so since the article says he can sing counter tenor as well as baritone, but it wasn't completely clear.)

Curiously enough I just finished watching Blackadder 1 on DVD - a friend lent it to me. I was wondering who was singing (and why he didn't appear to get a credit) - all becomes clear now. (I was also thinking that the orchestration sounded a lot like Red Dwarf's original theme music setting; now it's clear why!)

I believe he did, it certainly sounds like him.

Hello. Howard Goodall here. No, I didn't sing the counter-tenor at the end of each epsiode of Series 2 of Blackadder. In fact it was Jeremy Jackman, who was then a member of the a capella vocal group The Kings' Singers, and a jolly fine singer he is too.

Went to see "The Dreaming" during the Edinburgh Fringe 2002, and i thought the music was very moving. Of course I was performing with my own group (and the music was better!) but congratulations on the orchestration. What was the instrument (percussion) used with the bow called? It's on a layer of water, and it gives a fantastic sound.

Thanks.

Ex Lichfield Chorister

S'truth! Howard Goodall no less - and only last week I got an email from Richard "Bicycle God" Ballantine. What exalted circles we move in on this here Internet thingy.

Hi, I'm Howard's PA and have got the answer to your question. The percussion instrument used is called a waterphone. It's a orb with water in it, metal spikes stick out - which you bow. The one used in The Dreaming had to be made especially for NYMT by a man in Germany - but it is a recognised instrument.

Thea

I understand that Howard has been commissioned to write a piece for the re-commissioning of the Albert Hall organ - is that right? Any idea who'll be playing it? Thomas Trotter, perchance?

Yes, it is true I've been commissioned to write a piece to celebrate the organ's rebirth in June 2004. It will be a narrative epic (!)- a sort of 'Peter and the Wolf' for organ and other performers, with a text by the Irish poet Theo Dorgan (no, that isn't an anagram tailor-made for the project!)on a famous Classical Myth. I don't know who will play the premiere - it's not up to me - but it certainly won't be me. Manders are doing the rebuild. Howard G.

I'm sure I've met at least one of the Manders at the Organ Festival in St Albans - they've done some very sympathetic rebuilds from what I've seen, so it should be in safe hands. I look forward to a treat in 2004