This was such a lovely day! Two PhD composition students getting the chance to work through their pieces with this fantastic orchestra (who were brilliantly helpful with their superb playing and thoughtful feedback).

And good morning Birmingham. Ready for a workshop with the CBSO and two fantastic young composers.

Good morning Manchester

Any birthday present ideas for a teenage opera/nut (not mine in this case)? No DVDs or CDs though as they don’t know what those are….

Must confess, I find the “I’m not racist, though I totally concede that the leaders of the march I was on are” a hard one to compute.

I have dealt with my BIG FEELINGS about people saying mean things about London by writing this about 57 things I love in London. There were 100 things I loved, but it got too long for one email. London is inexhaustible. naomialderman.substack.com/p/57-things-...

Bring on 21st November! This is a fantastic disc, and I’m so excited to see it go out into the world! Big congrats to the team: BBC Philharmonic, @jkaconductor.bsky.social , Samantha Ege, @leahbroad.bsky.social and Resonus.

Delighted to share the cover of our forthcoming disc - out on the 21st of November! @leahbroad.bsky.social

Turns out Britain does have a Free speech problem after all….

I know a more sophisticated response to the state visit is required, but mainly I quite fancy the King’s tailcoat…

Also arguably responsible for the first opera (the Ordo Virtutem), and the first western description of the female orgasm.

The great Marcus Aurelius wasn't infallible in his judgement, but this is absolutely one for the ages:

And on my way to the launch event now!

Out Today! Evoking the spirit of the great 19th-century concerti, but with some added Latin American spice.

I can feel Jared Diamond chuckling as D walks this…

In 1919 after the war a new “official peace version” of the UK’s national anthem was formally approved by the Privy Council it was published in the standard hymnbook Songs of Praise from 1925 (1/3)

Having made it through security in Geneva Airport….

Mozz runs out *into* thunderstorm but still manages to return burning with reproach..

The old Italian election-by-lottery suddenly looks democratic by comparison…

Well this is awkward.

I’m really grateful that after early reviews (no names) spent more time on what a theoretic staging might be like, this one actually gets to grips with the score and performance…

Men are never going to be able to find it.

A wonderful artist in glorious repertoire!

Interesting PsychOps from TfL here, showing the strike-cancelled trains as if they existed…

Can’t ever trust a Protestant church with these two flanking the door…

And particularly delightful to finally meet @martinsmith.bsky.social in person!

Another one gone. Not an easy man but a fine conductor.

I met Max when I was doing work experience at the BBC Philharmonic. He was an astonishing musician, hearing every wrong note in the most hideously complicated compositions; but also one of the kindest and most generous of men, endlessly warm and encouraging.

“It’s all brought to life beautifully by conductor John Andrews who achieves as effective a balance between melodic reflection and narrative thrust as you might hope for... Recorded in meticulous sound and perfectly balanced, The Seal-Woman is a delightful and tuneful find and well worth a listen.”

See you in a few days… #Finzi #Swain #ApIvor

“It’s all brought to life beautifully by conductor John Andrews who achieves as effective a balance between melodic reflection and narrative thrust as you might hope for... Recorded in meticulous sound and perfectly balanced, The Seal-Woman is a delightful and tuneful find and well worth a listen.”

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How did I miss National Beard Day? Well 24 hours late, this was, I think, the peak lockdown growth....

Another fine performance this evening, this time of The Pirates of Penzance, under the capable baton of @jkaconductor.bsky.social. Always supportive of the singers, never overwhelming them...

Has it occurred to anyone that universities seem left-wing because they consist of a massive concentration of young people, not because of anything the lecturers say…?

A fine performance of Princess Ida this evening, not least down to the enthusiastic conducting of @jkaconductor.bsky.social Ben McAteer, Gaynor Keeble and Phoebe Smith in notably good voice. As to the set, well I suppose that even Jackson Pollock had his off days.

An honourable resignation. I grew up fairly close to her; her school was so rough, we were terrified to go near it. Even if it ends today (which I doubt), the trajectory of her career has been remarkable.

I used to oppose ID cards on principle but these days we give away more information to companies and Social media than the most ambitious dictator could desire; So now I just think we wouldn’t do it very well and it would cost the earth…

Are newspapers aware they don't actually have to write a, "... but this speaks to a larger, important point" article about every single trend on TikTok? 40 year old social commentators writing philosophical treatises of the latest little dance meme for teens like they're interpreting the Talmud.

I am deeply conflicted on this. I want her to embody the highest possible standards, but I defy anyone to tell me this is clear and simple.

And ‘irredeemable cockwomble’?

Fascinated that In Our Time is one of the BBC’s most popular podcasts among under 35s. The young people demand three academics and a peer discussing Demosthenes, apparently. And they’re right to do so.

This is certainly a surprise.

Pretending the rain and builders don’t exist.

Fantastic article by Samatha Ege and @leahbroad.bsky.social in this month’s @prospectmagazine.co.uk on the life, career and legacy of Avril Coleridge-Taylor (usually ££ but free for a limited period). @arusbridger.bsky.social

Melvyn Bragg has been one of the last standard-bearers for a really important, and unfashionable, idea: that good conversation, between people who really know their stuff, on complex or difficult subjects, can be fantastic radio - and that the national broadcaster should do this. I hope it endures.

Fantastic article by Samatha Ege and @leahbroad.bsky.social in this month’s @prospectmagazine.co.uk on the life, career and legacy of Avril Coleridge-Taylor (usually ££ but free for a limited period). @arusbridger.bsky.social

Two operas that I made world-premiere recordings of (DER WALD and THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY) are now getting second recordings. Feeling immense pride that we have helped convince the world of their worth!

Look at that beautiful blue sky! ⏰☠️ Wake Up Dead Man, the new Benoit Blanc mystery. Thanksgiving in theaters, 12/12 on Netflix. More to come very soon…

Tesla texted to see if I’d be interested in one of their products. I tried very hard to be a mature adult before replying with a picture of their boss at his most edifying.