b otd March 20, 1927 – John Joubert, South African-English composer (d 2019) Here's one of his fine anthems (text by Henry VIII) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwmw... @anna-joubert.bsky.social

b 1927 – John Joubert, South African-English composer (d 2019) d 1997 – V. S. Pritchett, English short story writer, essayist, critic (b 1900)

A glorious concert on 27 March with @colla-voce.bsky.social and the wonderful Clare O’Connell – Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’, John Tavener’s ‘Svyati’ plus Tallis, Schütz, Joubert, Mauersberger, Gabriel Jackson, Howard Skempton, and Lucy Walker. Tx www.londinium-voices.org.uk/events

We're thrilled to be recording an album of wonderful, but hitherto neglected, choral music by John Joubert with @colla-voce.bsky.social, for release by SOMM Recordings in 2027, the centenary of Joubert's birth! Find out more: www.londinium-voices.org.uk/joubert-crow...

A wonderful evening with @londiniumchoir.bsky.social last night. Thanks to all in the choir and @colla-voce.bsky.social for committing to a recording of Dad’s choral music in celebration of his centenary in 2027. It’ll be great!

Our seductive Bosch-themed concert with @colla-voce.bsky.social is on Friday 10 October! Wonderful music including James MacMillan, Thea Musgrave, John Joubert, Anselm McDonnell, Agneta Sköld, Pizzetti, Cardoso, Vivanco and much else! Tx www.londinium-voices.org.uk/events

Opening night of Jane Eyre was pretty special. Can't wait for my two remaining perfs on Fri and Sat (tix available). Great to see this 5* response.Experience an inspired and immersive staging. Congrats Eleanor Burke and the whole cast, crew and orchestra thespyinthestalls.com/2025/08/jane...

Last concert of Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra 30 July 1955 ended with March to the Scaffold from Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. A trumpeter blew 'The Last Post' in the pub. Brass instruments saw off conductor Norman del Mar at Leeds station. Death of an orchestra: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b... 3/3

Roger Norrington must have been 25 when he sang tenor in this 1959 concert. I found the programme amongst Dad’s things. A very enterprising line up of music!

Looking forward to Jane Eyre - my Dad’s last opera - at Grimeborn in August:

Embarrassed to have missed the actual date, but 48 hours late: Wednesday was the centenary of the great baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, one of Britten's trusted collaborators. Here's Britten asking him, tentatively, to take part in the first performance of the War Requiem, if he's not too busy.

In #Worcester for @elgarfestival.bsky.social

1/3. It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear colleague and friend David Watkin has passed away. David was one of the finest cellists of his generation - a master soloist, chamber musician, orchestral leader, and conductor.

The UK Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. Please sign the @campaignforthearts.org petition to remind the UK Govrenment that the arts make our lives happier and our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them. www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp...

When scores had individually designed covers - in colour!

A beautiful symmetry at Pitville Pump Rooms #Cheltenham before our concert today @englishsymphony.bsky.social

A stroll through the churchyard at St Nicolas, Kings Norton #Birmingham in the sunshine - en route to the dentist…

In Composer of the Week each day 4pm @BBCRadio3 Donald Macleod explores the life & work of French composer Mel Bonis. The series was produced by our much-missed friend & colleague Johannah Smith, who died earlier this year. We broadcast it in her memory. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

A thing of beauty found at my parents’ house: programme from 1975 production of Death in Venice at Covent Garden, Peter Pears as Von Aschenbach, tickets £3.50 #opera #Britten

Another insomnia induced Radio 4 Extra find: John Bayley’s beautifully written memoir about his wife Iris Murdoch. Recommended.

Released today! Brilliant playing from Dionysus Ensemble of the 1961 Octet. Available to listen here: li.sten.to/f5xmm2q0

Thank you so much for marking my Dad’s birthday: born 98 years ago today! Dad died in 2019. His beloved wife Mary, my mum is still with us at 94 years old.

Everything looks better with a blue sky…especially #Birmingham