In arguably less important historical anniversary news today, Facebook memories tells me it’s ten years since I first finished reading this book (and first started raving about it to people)

I have seldom been so blown away at a concert as I was last night hearing Stephen Osborne give Beethoven Diabelli Variations in the Machynlleth Festival. The awesome depth of B's thought, hard to even imagine in itself, articulated by an artist of rare honesty & integrity. Transcendental.

we have both computers and science fiction because Byron was so insufferable it inspired all the women around him to come up with elaborate reasons to get away

The lower part of Dolgoch Falls, on the southern edge of Eryri. No matter how far afield I travel, this will always be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Llyn Barfog, in the hills between Tywyn and Aberdyfi. One of the still points of the turning world.

A song of heartbreak and revenge from the forests of Finland...🌲 Sibelius's "Kaiutar" from "Letters from Scandinavia" with pianist @sholto.kynoch 🎧Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc 💿Pre-order the album (out 5 Sep on @crdrecordsclassical) www.prestomusic.com/classical/pr...

High above city streets across East Anglia, the peregrine falcon population is making a dramatic recovery, and winning the love and devotion of those who watch them and record them. Kate Moore has their story ⤵️ @eastangliabylines.co.uk @oscarwoofs.bsky.social

@englynsmith.bsky.social might this be of interest?

This pebble-vaulting might interest @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social. St Brelade, Jersey. I've never seen anything like it off this island. It feels crude, earthy, and somehow incredibly moving and holy.

It was arcane, and old-fashioned to the point almost of fustiness, and oddly prosaic. But the moment my child, in a gesture of medieval fealty, placed hands between those of another and was raised - in Latin - to the rank of Doctor of Philosophy will not ever leave me while I still have breath.

Funerals are sad, but today was a celebration. John Tatham was 102. Was a founder member of @busheysymphony.bsky.social, which I lead. Played violin in their 50th anniversary concert A MONTH before his death. In his 90s he was still putting chairs out for rehearsals. May we all learn from his joy.

I have played this, and it's like dancing with God.

beautifully written article, SO glad I read it. I wouldn't go so far after reading it as to say that pianos have 'souls' but ... it makes you wonder...

🚨New recording out!🚨 As of today, you can hear my recording of Florence Price’s Fantasie nègre No. 2 on your preferred streaming service lnkfi.re/0NnT7wOr

Well worth 5 minutes of your Sunday morning

Drove by an establishment in France called ‘Pain and Snacking’, which also happens to be my writing process.

Just come away from an extremely colourful concert of African classical music at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk and now listening to the organ music of Fela Sowande, one of the featured computers. It's absolutely beautiful. And by God he can play the organ.

Are you looking for regular orchestral playing and based in SW London? We’re always looking for new members. If you’re Grade 7 or higher, we want to hear from you! See our website for details. www.richmondorchestra.org.uk/ro_joinus/

Have just lunched at the Henry Tudor Inn in Shrewsbury, and I must say it has been some time since I whimpered with delight at the first bite of a pub meal

F U Ckkkkkk

Remarkable and inspiring thread.

I was explaining to my Ukrainian colleague the phrase ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’. She told me the equivalent in Ukrainian is ‘The only free cheese is in the mousetrap’ - which is so much better

Walking the jagged rocks of the path that traverses the ridge of the Stiperstones hills feels rather as though one is treading on the exposed spine of the Earth

Having a mini break in the glorious Shropshire hills with my beloved. It is totally beautiful. But why oh WHY is it a law of nature that other people's toasters always work better?

Cricket. Bloody hell.

This is exactly what the internet is for.

London Mozart Players' new season dropped today: youtu.be/uL31CeVahXE?...

At last night's @rorchestra.bsky.social rehearsal we were joined by Waldegrave School Singers to run through Neptune from Holst's The Planets. They sounded so good that I lost my place in the score. Not great for a conductor, but a v good harbinger for Sunday's concert at Landmark Arts, Teddington

No truer word could be spoken.

Alfred Brendel's early recording of the Beethoven Diabelli Variations, on my father's LP, was part of the soundtrack of my childhood. I can hear it in my head now, fifty years on. An era has passed.

I'd tell you my Cassandra story, but you'd never believe it

Still reeling at the news that a new song by Half Man Half Biscuit, “Record Store Day”, contains the line “Oh I do like to re-release my B-sides” #musichall

Fantastic rehearsal last night with pianist Robert Bridge on the Gershwin Rhapsody for this Saturday. A fine pianist is, by the evidence, going to enjoy himself hugely. If you're there, you'll enjoy it too.

We’ve got two fantastic concerts coming up. Which one takes your fancy? Tickets for Saturday on the door, and on the landmark centre website.

Just done accompanying Mozart's F major concerto K413 with #LondonMozartPlayers. Not one of his more renowned. And yet with a slow movement of such sublime, sensual simplicity and pathos that I think I want it at my funeral.

This is an unalloyed delight.

This is very sad news. A most gifted man. slippedisc.com/2025/05/deat...

Greatest living Brit. (Sorry, Lev, not you.)

At 8pm every 4 May, the Dutch remember and honour the war dead with a 2-minute silence. Then on 5 May they celebrate Liberation Day, the day they were liberated, by Scottish Canadian troops, among others. My mother’s Scottish Sergeant, by Anna Schurer #Dodenherdenking #Remembrance @bylines.scot

According to getintoteaching.education.gov.uk the rate is even worse here.

Stag do in Sarratt this afternoon

34 years ago today I looked up and lost the ability to breathe as the loveliest woman in the world walked down the aisle toward me. And despite having had to cope with me, she is still the loveliest woman in the world.

One for #ThrowbackThursday - The C13th chapel (with roots reaching back to the C6th) sits cockled onto the rocks of St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire—weathered yet holding firm, a beacon of continuity amidst centuries of shifting tides.

I just realised I don’t know how I pronounce this word and now I’m having a crisis over here!!!

Once again on this auspicious date of April 23 I feel the need to remind everyone that Shakespeare was born in what is now Turkey, never visited England and almost certainly could not speak or read English.

It’s #WorldImmunizationWeek Vaccines have saved 154 million lives in the last 50 years. That’s 6 lives every minute. A reminder of what is #HumanlyPossible. Science saves lives. #VaccinesWork bit.ly/wiw2025

This is a very fine thread.

Bluebells at Heartwood Forest: one of the joys of spring

Ok. @rorchestra.bsky.social starts next week. Time to get seriously stuck in.

No central algorithm is hard! I get it! I miss the algorithm! But the algorithm is what gave us fascism!! BE YOUR OWN ALGORITHM REPOST THE FUNNY REPLY TO FUNNY BE FUNNY Doom only creates doom and we do not need doom, we need SURVIVAL and survival REQUIRES FUNNY