The one about Frank Lloyd et al

South Africa hosted the 2006 International Horn Society Symposium in Cape Town. Although this was almost 9 months ago I finally managed to track down the recordings of the concerts. Windworx played an arrangement of the Schumann Konzertstuck for four horns with some of the world's greatest horn players. The soloists were Frank Lloyd, Bruno Schneider, Jeff Snedeker and Geoffrey Winter. All the concerts were recorded and in my opinion Geoffrey Winter's performance of the Concerto for Horn, Winds and Percussion by Machala (with Windworx) is the best recording.

Frank Lloyd's interpretation of Interstellar Call (Messiaen) was an exhibition of French Horn gymnastics that left the audiance stunned and begging for more. On the CDs there are a number of other recordings of Frank Lloyd's performances: Horn concerto by Förster, Double horn concerto by Haydn (with Bruno Schneider) [with a slow movement in E-flat minor which was absolute hell for the orchestra], Espana for solo horn (Buyabovsky), three pieces from the Little Suite by Borodin and Naturel for solo horn (Pousseur). I stopped playing horn in 1991 and switched to bass (basically because it suited my temperament better and caused less physical pain) but after hearing Prof Lloyd playing I must admit that I longed to blow a note or two.

The one about the first double bass lessons for 2007

Mfundo and Odwa had their first bass lessons for 2007. The lessons went well despite the three month summer break. It was a real pleasure to start teaching again and I wouldn't give up teaching these kids easily. Mfundo should be able to enter for Royal Schools Grade III or IV this year. Odwa has the oppurtunity to start music theory lessons to help him to read music better.

Mfundo stands to the left of the bass and Odwa on the right. The two little bass fans in front live next door and came rushing over as soon as we started. If anyone has a half or quater size bass lying around, please let me know.

The one about the windy Windworx concert

I haven't posted for a while. Work has been hectic and we've been gymming like mad in the evenings.

We had our first Windworx concert yesterday afternoon. It was a combined open air band/picnic festival at the Nelson's Creek Wine Estate. The University of Stellenbosch Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Marimbas from the Frank Peters Centre perform for an audience sprawled on the lawn. The concert pretty much sucked because the wind blowed our stands and music all over the wine estate.

Before the concert Abraham and I had lunch with Hannah and her family at Boschendal. Hannah is one of my oldest, best and dearest friends. The Boschendal buffét is an amazing culinary experience and one that I hope to repeat soon. Hannah and Braamie passed out even before the concert started...

I am visible in the first picture (courtesy of Adeleida).

The one about the Cape Town World AIDS Day Concert 2006

Tomorrow is World AIDS day. The Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management will host a gala evening with ''Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.'' as their theme. Let me be the first to admit that I am extremely skeptical about celebrating AIDS achievements. However, according to Music Industry Online, the aim of the event is to reinforce the goals of the UNAIDS-driven World AIDS Campaign to energise and support an effective and sustained response to HIV/AIDS; and to appeal to governments and policy makers to ensure they meet the targets they agreed to in the fight against the pandemic under the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment.
Contrary to statements in the press, tomorrow night will not be the launch of Jimmy Earl Perry's CD "Power of the Dream". Before starting the rehearsal this morning, Prof Perry informed us that the CD was launched at a club in town last week.

The band is awesome - with more "ex-Americans" than you can wave a baton at. The lead guitarist was imported from Los Angeles. The arrangements are superb. The next rehearsal is tomorrow morning at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The bad news is that we have to find and pay for our own parking... OUCH!