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

The radio is currently playing the final movement of Beethoven's 9th piano concerto. I know it's a bit of a classical music cliche to love this piece of music but I do. It gives me the chills - I get goose pimples, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I would love to know why this happens. I would also love to know why I can get the same reaction from Andrew Lloyd Webber when I don't actually like Llyod Webber (well, I did when I was 13 or so, but I'd like to think I've moved on). 

I think you were listening to Beethoven's fifth piano concerto, as he only wrote 5! (Nine Symphonies, though - try Number 7 with a good cup of coffee!) If you love Beethoven, you might like to discover Schubert's String Quintet in C, one of the most remarkable works ever penned by human hand. Come to think of it, I'm rehearsing Bach Cantata 49 today (Concert for Kossovo on Sunday in London), but I think you are too far away to hear it!

Very good point - i did in fact mean the 9th Symphony (though I also really like the 5th piano concerto). That's what writing your journal entry before 9.00am does for you. Or me anyway. Am profoundly not a morning person. I'll look out for the Schubert you recomended as I haven't ever really taken notice of his work. My favourite piece of music in all the world (at this precise moment) is the larghetto from Handel's Xerxes. Wish I could have heard your concert thought...

Ah, there's nothing like a good dose of Bach for the Soul! Despite a winning concert (including a world premier of a piece for musical saw!), I'm suffering with a severely overworked throat, and had the throat specialist doing all sorts of unmentionably nasty things today.
Feeling pretty low and trying to memorise hundreds of pages of Italian recitative for the Marriage of Figaro in a few weeks. (Yours truly as Figaro). As you like Xerxes, you'd love the show currently playing at the London Collisseum, Handel's Semele, a glorious score and a beautifully stylish production with a great cast! There is in fact a video of the E.N.O Xerxes from the late 80's, which is fab. If you would like a copy just let me know! Although you were unable to hear Cantata 49, I'm getting a web page soon with a sound bite, so keep in touch! Incidentally, my girlfriend is from Melbourne (also a singer)- and I copmpletely fell in love with Australia when I visited last Autumn. Send it my love................

Consider your love sent, to Canberra at least, I haven't been to Melbourne in a long long time alas. I certainly appreciate Bach in the morning, as long as its not those solo harpsichord thingies. Cannot stand solo harpsichord, which is odd considering how I feel about Handel. Would love to see Xerxes! Canberra is not really know for it's thriving opera industry. The last opera I saw was Smetana's The Bartered Bride. Can't say I loved it and I took a friend who'd never been to an opera before who was far from impressed. She didn't actually go to sleep but it was a near thing. If only she'd seen the two brilliant Mozart opera's I'd seen - Cosi Fan Tutte and The Marriage of Figaro. Both products of the local School of Music voice students and both excellent. Good luck with the recitative! Will look forward to seeing your web site (now if I can just convince the IT people to install a sound card in this maching...)

Well its the least they can do really isn't it? I can't imagine too many people getting excited about Smetana, and your poor friend was probably bored witless by such a pedestrian plot! I don't know if you've come across Janacek, but there's a Czech Composer with a difference, and bizarre plots from the Cunning Little Vixen to the Makropoulos Case, not to mention his original orchestration.(How's your Czech?) Try your friend on song first, (ideally on CD) Schubert, Schumann, Mahler or Faure and Poulenc, great music in bite size chunks which should wet the appetite for more of the same in a live environment, with the bonus of costumes and lighting. The problem with Opera is that a second rate work performed badly can be so awful, it can put people off it for life. (And I've been in a couple of prize Turkeys myself!)

The only Janacek I've come across so far is Sinfonietta. The Australian Ballet performed it here with a rather spiky Stravinsky thing and a Phillip Glass, the Upper Room. Sinfonietta was spectacular - I'll look out for more of his stuff, though my Chezch isn't. I think I may have lost said friend to the likes of Tori Amos and the Indigo Girls but I live in hope. It's inconcievable to me that all this wonderfull music leaves people unmoved. At the moment on the radio is Bach's Goldberg variations - just at the moment I think it's the perfect way to start the day. Time I did some work, though I'd prefer to chat about music a while longer. Hope your thoat is well.

Thank you for enquiring about my throat, which is improving due to rest and not even speaking, although at least I can write! I'm supposed to sing in the final of a Song competition on Saturday, so am hoping I'll be OK. The Bach Goldberg Variations is an ideal way to start the day, (have you heard Glen Gould's 1960's recording - it is miraculous!), as are the Bach Cantatas, and you have around 200 to choose from! Try Jauchzet Gott (No51) for Soprano and Trumpet, great in the morning with a shot of Coffee. It does indeed baffle me that in our world today people do not use their ears, they hear, but do not listen. As a performer, you just come to the conclusion that you are always making music for the few in the audience who can really understand the messages you are communicating in sound. Great music can change the way people think about life and themselves, their relationships to others, and their purpose and journey through life. If with a character who is unlike myself, I am able to hold the mirror up to nature and illustrate pain or joy for an audience, this is an incredible two way artistic process. Its just hard to know where Barry Mannilow and Kylie Minogue fit into it all! Anyway, back to the endless Italian text of Figaro for now. Take Care. G.

This is exactly the way I feel about music. I do try to resist the temptation to become a music Nazi about the Kylie Minogues of this world. I'm sure many of her fans are sincere in their love of this music, but...I *can't* bring myself to believe that such blandness as is represented by the vast majority of popular music today actually can convey any depth at all. I know that for commuication to truly exist it has to be generated within the listener as much as with the performer. Arghh...all I know is that some of the most memorable experiences of my life have been listening to really great music. Being part of an audience that is really "there", really focused and receptive to the performance (concert or play)is magic. I've never had the desire to be the performer (quite apart from the fact that I don't have the talent for it), but I do so love being in the audience. One day I'd like to capture that experience in words. I know there is a way to say it, even if it's only for my own satisfaction. Well I've now been at work half an hour and done nothing but check my email and check this site. I hope your singing goes well on the weekend and that you drink many good cups of coffee. I'm in search of a good recording of Mozart's double piano concerto (for which I have long had an obsession) and also the Schubert you recommended. Have a good one.

There is actually a new release of the Mozart double piano concerto with Martha Argerich (my favourite pianist) and Alexander Rabinovitch which looks superb, and I think its on Teldec. Failing that, there is an excellent 1970's performance on Philips with Alfred Brendel and Imogen Cooper. As for the Schubert String Quintet in C, you simply MUST have the Hagen Quartet on Deutsche Grammophon. But be warned, as this is such committed music making of a deeply poignant work, it takes time to recover! My voice is returning so I should be Ok for tommorow. My programme of English Song is based on the verse of A.E.Housman, a remarkable poet, whose writing is suffused with musical rythym. It's a bit of a posh do at the Royal College of Music and the press are attending (ouch), so spare me a thought! I still really don't know what's going to come out, so fingers crossed. At least I can speak again and use my voice. Let me know how you get on with the CD's. All the best for now, and I'm delighted that music means so much to you. I think Goethe summed up your feelings on the subject: "There were you are not, lies contentment", and music can certainly fulfill this, by transporting us into a place more real and colourful than our world, while still reflecting its joy and despair.

Just thought I'd let you know that I won some Prize money last night, which means that I can afford to eat this week! However, I was beaten by a hooting counter-tenor, so somewhat annoyed!

I'm glad you can communicate verbally again. I know some people for whom the inability to talk would be an unbearable trial. I would love to know what it's like to be able to open your mouth and have a beautiful, golden sound come out. I have neither a very bad voice or a very good voice, and I can hear when I miss the note, which is frequently. Still, I can listen and that's a gift in itself. I did look for the Mozart and the Shubert in what's supposed to be a fairly reputable CD shop here and the Mozart was only available in a 4 cd box set, recorded by pianists I've never heard of. Think I will try to order the recordings you've suggested as it's always a good way to start on a piece of music I find. Just before I go do some work - I heard the Handel oboe concerto on the weekend for the first time - lovely lovely stuff.

He he he. Poor counter-tenor. But at least you can eat. There's something to be said for that. Congratulations anyway. I saw The Matrix on the weekend and I've just got to wonder why(???). Spent most of the movie wishing I was seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream (which is supposed to have quite a good soundtrack). Speaking of movies, did you see Hilary and Jackie?

Greetings again! It is always worth digging around and ordering the best recordings if you can, and saves disappointment. I'm enjoying a couple of days off (more rest for my poor throat), before resuming rehearsals for Carmen, which is NOT one of my favourites! We're going to Semele at E.N.O tommorow night, and I'll let you know all about it.
The best thing about my throat improving is that I can drink red wine again!
I do believe incidentally that everyone can sing, with time and perseverance, and a good teacher. Unless you are tone deaf, (which you obviously are not) you stand as good a chance as anyone.
Now back to Figaro ..............

Interesting that you think everyone can sing. It's something I've wondered about - whether that ability is something you're born to or not. I have a friend who'd love to be able to sing, and thinks everyone can, but I've heard her and she misses the note often. I've never been able to find out whether she can hear that she's missing the note. It's a sensitive subject for her.

I used to like Carmen. It was the first opera I ever watched (on TV) and I really enjoyed it then, but when I saw it live a couple of years ago I was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied. The singer playing Carmen, Suzanne Johnston, was wonderful and it wasn't a bad production but...just didn't do it for me. Can't wait to hear what you think of Semele. I'd like a glass of red wine right now, which is probably not a good idea as it's 9.00am and I'm at work.

How's the web site going?

Perhaps best not to start drinking at 9AM! I think you were probably in slumberland while I was having dinner.
Anyway, my web site should be fully functional in about a week, presuming that the nice people at Classical Artists are good at their job! Is your friend actually tone deaf, or just not good with pitch? These are completely different things, as professionals often have mild lapses of intonation.
By the way, if you fancy some voluptuously rhapsodic music, try the new CD on Decca of Strauss songs with Barbara Bonney. She has one of the most genuinely natural and beautiful voices around these days, and always communicates. Well worth a go!
As for Carmen, there is some first rate music there, but like most late nineteenth century Opera the drama is formulaic. All that tiresome stuff with soldiers and children in Act 1, then dodgy smugglers in Acts 2 and 3. Oh dear.(Yes, you guessed it, I'm the head of the Smugglers!) Should be a good show though. (Purcell Room, 6th June). Lots of rehearsal for one night only, but that's life!

For some reason I always felt it was rather remiss of me to only like the "songs" from Carmen - I did tend to let my mind wander otherwise. Perhaps I don't have such a long attention span.

What is the difference between tone deaf and a problem with pitch? I feel I should know, but don't. As far as I can tell, when Indrani sang she wasn't even getting intervals right, she sang almost in a monotone. Most of us are on, or near, the note at least some of the time, but she wasn't.

I've decided that I should really be careful about what I listen to when I'm driving. I had classical tape in as I was driving into town last night - just bits and pieces I've recorded from various CDs - and became lost in that place you go to, part contemplation and part stimulated thought. Canberra may not have a traffic problem anywhere near London or New York, but still, some attention would probably be advisable.

It's now lunch time - do you suppose my supervisor, colleagues and the customers wandering around the library, would mind if I started drinking yet? Really need a day off. I'm looking forward to the cold weather, when i can sit at home in the evenings, drink mulled wine and listen to some really good music. And there's all that champagne left from the Library Week do...

My favourite CD at the moment (and I'm fickle so this category changes regularly) is Yvonne Kenny's Handel arias. I go to sleep at night listening to it. I love the sensation I get with Handel, and other Baroque music particularly, of stepping into an unfamiliar room. Some music always feels like home. As if you've grown up listening to that collection of notes and keys, in that order, and even if you've never heard it before it's familiar. Beethoven is like that for me. No less enjoyable, no less beautiful, but definitely already a part of me. Handel...I really feel like they are sound coming from outside of me. It's not just Baroque music though (and excuse me if I get my definitions wrong, I've never done any real reading in this area), some twentieth century pieces take me out of that comfortable aural world.I wish I could remember the names of classical pieces (also wish i could remember the wines I like) as the Australian Chamber Orchestra played this fabulous piece written during World War II by a Jewish composer at one of the concerts I subscribe to. That's all I remember about the piece and it was one of those revelatory experiences. The sounds, the textures, the shapes, were all new to me. I've really got to start buying programs. This is what i was thinking when I really should have been thinking about driving. I hope Carmen goes well. Have a good day.

How you would have loved Semele! It is one of the best shows I've ever seen at English National Opera, and I'm happy to say that my colleagues in the cast were superb. An all British cast (which is rare here!!!) headed by the brilliant soprano Rosemary Joshua and the superb Handelian tenor John Mark Ainsley. The production by Robert Carsen was pure genius, especially during "where'ere you walk", when Jupiter transformed Semele's boudoir to a starry night sky which filled the stage! I must confess that this was so poignant it brought tears to my eyes. There were many sublime touches, especially the costumes for Jupiter and Juno, which resembled the 1950's coronation! The production was so clean and focused, yet simple and unfussy with a subtle modern take on the rhetoric of the text and score, and most effective stage pictures and lighting. I urge you to get to know this score, as it contains some of Handel's most inspired music. Yvonne Kenny in fact sings a couple of Semele's arias on your favourite disc, and you have great taste, because it is glorious! (I was on stage with her at 14 as Puck to her Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Opera, CLANG!)
Another CD you'd love is the Marian Cantatas of Handel with Anne Sofie von Otter and Musica Antiqua Colln, on Archiv, if you can find it!
Off to Carmen later so time to check my dialogue. Enjoy the champagne (if it is Australian it is the best in the world!). Bye for now!

I'm developing a very long list of CDs to check out thanks to you. I sincerely hope my contract is extended so I can afford them. Not that I mind at all - CDS are more important to me than most things, except perhaps books.

Semele did sound just wonderful. That's the kind of production I like most. Last night I saw the Bell Shakespeare's production of The Merchant of Venice (they used the adagio of Albinoni's oboe concerto very effectively) which was beautifully uncluttered, emphasising both the words and the characters, which isn't always so. Some lovely acting too. I don't normally like that play, but this production opened my eyes a bit more.

How cool that you were on stage with Yvonne Kenny! Sorry, but I kind of like that. A personal connection to someone I admire very much.

Well, today has been hectic, it's 5.10pm and everyone else has left and it's gettin' dark and scary.

So Australian champagne is good? Must drink some more of it. Just at the moment I really crave a good strong coffee.
How was Carmen?