Living in C major

It feels like I've been living in C major this year. Last month I gave a performance of Haydn's C major Concerto. This is one of my favourite pieces. The first movement I've played several times for auditions and for a concerto exam at The Academy - it's sparkly; like popping champagne. The second movement I played back at school - I remember falling in love with it at 17 and it did not disappoint (particularly as that high passage seems a lot easier now!!). I've never really played the third movement; I sketched it with Kate (maestro Kathryn Price who has been played a prominent role in my life as a musician) but no more. I've really enjoyed getting to know it properly and finding it's elegance. Salisbury Sinfonia were a pleasure to work with. As well as being superb musicians, they were very friendly and made me feel welcome. Thank you so much for having me and all the best for your future concerts.

Still in C major, I've been relearning Bach's third suite for some recitals in Wiltshire and Powys. It's a venture with violinist Catherine Chamberlain (an old friend - we've known each other since we were 7!). Catherine is performing Bach's D minor Partita and then together we play the awesomeness that is Handel-Halvorsen's Passacaglia. We've been having a lot of fun rehearsing. Our next concert for this is next Saturday in Presteigne at 3pm. I quite enjoyed exploring repertoire in the same key but now I'm starting to move into D major now as I prepare for auditions. By-passing C# major seemed like a good idea to me. ​